Back in the 80's I did TV repairs.... and worked for a guy who sold ex-rental sets
most of the sets were sold with a 3 month guarantee, but some of them would be barely able to make it that far. My job was to keep the sets going right up until the moment the warranty ran out.
If the colour started to go, we could boost the tube - putting a high current through the cathodes - but boosting the tube seriously shortened the life of the tube. Boosting the tube twice could shorten the tube life to a matter of weeks...... I cant count how many times we boosted tubes when the warranty was almost out.

I didn't learn electronics to rip people off, and I finally left the business when I went around to an OAP's house to do a repair (it turned out to be a really simple fault) and I was told to make up some old shite and pretend that the TV needed new parts, so I could double the bill.
(essexfriend, Thu 7 Jul 2011, 22:00, 2 replies)

I saw a tube booster
On a stall at the Hack Green radio rally. Haven't seen one for years.

Of course I didn't buy it, what the fuck would I do with a CRT booster? I bet the meters were probably worth the fiver or so.
(gordonjcp, Thu 7 Jul 2011, 23:10, closed)

Why buy it?
The same reason we all buy crap at radio rallies, to take it apart and work out what was rattling in it and what part the burning smell has escaped from.

That's a good 90% of the fun right there.
( speedyballbangpots, Fri 8 Jul 2011, 12:04, closed)