I need (want, can afford) a tube tester, maybe other simple testing equipment Help me!!!

You probably want an Amplitrex AT 1000

https://amplitrex.com

It does a large varieties of tests for hundreds of tubes. Excellent device. 

The Amplitrex is the benchmark.    I have a Hickok 800 , I got lucky to find a mint one that was serviced a few years ago. 

If you can afford an Amplitrex that's the way to go.     Most old testers are rough and in need of service.   There are some nice ones out there but they are few and far between and are $$$    

I own an Amplitrex.  The best thing about it is how simple it is to use and how easy it is to get both a simple assessment (strong, wesk, bad) and specific measurements to compare with expected numbers.  If you are more advanced in your testing needs, it will provide tube tracing.

I spoke to a tube expert who owns about a dozen testers, including two Amplitrex machines.  His favorite is the eTracer, but it is best for someone testing many tubes at a time and someone who is technically advanced.

Amplitrex AT 1000

off to do some research

thank you, fine friends!!!

I advocate, if you have tube equipment, AT LEAST a simple compact portable tester, to test the fundamentals rather than stay blind. 

Seller says it works, asking $80, might take offer

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187671354575?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=a723a8f4-bb53-11f0-8372-366165326233

People say, you have to have Mutual Conductance. I'm here to tell you, ok, if that's what you want, but I've gotten answers for 42 years out of my Accurate 157, found weak tubes, tubes with shorts, compared 'matched sets' when I buy them, you can get a lot of confidence out of these simple testers.