Hickok 6000A Tube Chart Series Also Exists

Models 6000A and 6005 are the same with only minor feature differences that are not relevant to tube test calibration, therefore the discussion is applicable to those models as well.

Serious electrical voltages are present, repairs should only be attempted by a qualified technician.

Most Hickok tube testers fall in two categories: those that use a 5 vac signal voltage and those that use a 2.5 vac signal voltage.

Otherwise, most Hickoks are remarkably alike (except for the really expensive models such as 539C or 752).

The compact size of the 6000 is a welcome asset to any technicians workbench because space is always at a premium.

One panel has an older compliment of sockets (4-pin through 9-pin-miniature sockets); the other panel has a newer socket compliment (compactron novar sockets instead of the antique sockets).

This system allowed easy replacement of worn out sockets the customer simply purchased a new panel from Hickok.

The setup chart configuration for the Shunt control gives Good-Bad readings, which were previously called the English readings in older Hickok testers.

The chart also provides a micromhos score for tubes that have transconductance (ie not rectifiers, not diodes, not thyratrons), and the Shunt control must be repositioned to the red dot on the Shunt control that is appropriate for that micromhos reading.

For example, if the chart says 2000 and you had some reason to benefit from knowing the micromhos score (which is seldom the situation), you would ignore the charts shunt number and instead set the shunt control to the red dot near 73 which is the 3000 micromhos range.

For most testing needs of a technician, the goodbad scale is convenient and appropriate.

Model 6005 is the same tube tester but integrates multimeter functions.

Model 6000A has basic transistor testing capability, which I doubt that anyone uses today.

The 6000A has the newer socket panel with compactron and novar sockets, but without the antique sockets (4-pin, 5-pin, etc.) The socket panels are not interchangeable between 6000 and 6000A due to a different connection plug on the underside.

As a sidenote, this socket panel makes it very difficult to install socket-savers if you still want to close the case lid.

It can be done, but it requires a lot of work and creative thinking.

This information is applicable to most Hickok tube testers (not all), with the caveat that some models use 2.5 vac signal voltage instead of 5.0 vac.

It explains the voltages for the plate, screen, grid, signal and the method used to obtain those measurements.

Hickok 6000A Tube Chart Series Also Exists

A factory calibration document for the 6000 series also exists (and has one typo mistake) and closely follows the voltages in the military TM document.

Remove the roll chart and do not reinstall into your repairs are finished.

The fundamentals for starting the calibration: all knobs and the meter itself are indexed at zero, check all resistors and potentiometers for accuracy and replace where necessary.

Install new fresh capacitors, especially the small electrolytic across the meter.

When working on any Hickok, or when working on any piece of equipment with a sensitive panel meter (such as a vtvm), it is a good idea to clip a jumper wire across the panel meter when you are making any resistance readings inside the equipment.

Otherwise, you could accidentally apply voltage from your ohmmeter across the panel meter, and a sensitive meter can be easily and quickly destroyed.