[AMRadio] Packaging Radio Gear

[david knepper]

Could someone explain to me how radios were shipped back in the 50's so that 
they arrived at the dealers with no apparent damage.  I wonder what the 
original packing was back then?

With all the thousands of expensive solid-state transceivers, computers, 
etc. shipped today, I rarely ever hear of any of them getting damaged.  I do 
know that they are cradled in  styrofoam.

It would seem that the reason our "boatanchors" are damaged in shipment is 
either the manner in which these heavy radios are packaged or how the 
shipper handles the package - perhaps, a little of both.

How were Viking Valiants, etc. packaged by the manufacturer?  I know that 
many of these early radios went by rail or motor freight before the advent 
of  UPS and FedEx?

Recently, I shipped a Collins 32V-3 transmitter to Chicago using FedEx 
services.  The transmiter was carefully boxed and then enclosed in a wooden 
crate.  It helps to have a neighbor that works for FedEx!

Thanks

Dave, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
www.collinsra.com - the CRA Website
Now with PayPal
CRA Nets: 3805 Khz every Monday at 8 PM EST
and 14255 every Saturday at 12 Noon EST
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pieter Gerlach" <Pieter at FreeToBe.de>
To: <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 6:02 AM
Subject: [AMRadio] Packaging Radio Gear


In response to some of the good ideas on how to and what to use to pack 
valuable pieces of equipment i want to relate my latest experiemce. It 
doesn't really matter what is used for packing if someone decides to open 
things up in the dying days of the "War on Drugs." I purchased A Viking 
Valiant from a fellow in Colombia who cardboard boxed with styrofoam and 
then wooden crated the old warrior. Presuming it was filled with cocaine or 
some other illegal substance either Colombian or Canadian Customs felt it 
had to be "stripped searched." When it arrived here at my home in Canada the 
wooden crate was shattered, the cardboard and styrofoam sheets were 
scattered and every nut, bolt, screw and every other fastener had been 
removed and not replaced and a few strips of tape were wrapped around the 
radio to hold things together. I took photos and refused to take possession 
and am now in the process of filing claims...probably for the next year and 
a half. I don't know if there is a message in this other than don't purchase 
radios from countries that bureaucrats and officialdom hold suspect for 
whatever reason. I still appreciate all the ideas some of the other 
subscribers have contributed.

Pieter Gerlach VE1PPG
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