"Elmer" is a term borrowed from the world of Amateur ("Ham") Radio.  It refers to someone with experience who is willing to serve as a mentor to those who are new to the hobby.  An Elmer need not be an antique radio collector.  Many amateur radio operators have experience in repairing older tube-type gear.  There are also those who collect and restore tubed stereo equipment, test equipment and musical instrument amplifiers.  Ask your friends and relatives and you may find an Elmer.  You could ask in the Antique Radio Newsgroup to try to find an Elmer near you.  You could also subscribe to the Vintage Radio Mailing List - put the command "subscribe vintage-radio" without quotes in the body of your message and nothing else.  After Majordomo authenticates your request and adds you to the subscriber's list you can ask for an Elmer in your vicinity.

An Elmer can be the single most valuable resource for a newcomer to the hobby, especially those of you with limited electronic knowledge or those with electronic experience who are new to tubes.  Your Elmer will have a shop so you can see what tools and test equipment are needed.  He may have books on basic electronic theory he will let you read or borrow, or may be able to suggest library books that you should read.  He will be invaluable in answering beginning questions and pointing you toward the resources you need to pursue the hobby.

An Elmer might be someone like me.  I began learning about electronics and repairing old radios as a boy forty years ago - my father was my Elmer.  For most of my career I've worked with electronics - mainly as a radio Chief Engineer.  I still work with tubes for a living in radio transmitters, and have been collecting and restoring old test equipment and antique radios for twenty years.  Unless you live in the Roanoke, Virginia area I'm too far away to be your Elmer, but I'm always glad to answer questions by email.