[ARC5] Re: [milsurplus] History of ham mods; opinions?

[Dennis Monticelli]

I completely agree with your position.  My appreciation of this fine
gear developed from my contact with it via ham radio.  My father's
involvement in the ETO with the Army Air Force served to heighten my
interest.  Let's tell the whole story.

Dennis AE6C

On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 7:08 AM, Todd, KA1KAQ <ka1kaq at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 12:08 PM, Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Howie wrote:
>>
>>>So YES, the ham mods are a part of the surplus story, IMHO.
>>
>> So is the story of these radios buried in landfills and melting
>> in scrap metal salvage operations.
>>
>> I don't want to read of either story in a collector's guide.
>
> Hmmm....you one of those revisionists, Mike?  (o: Would you only have
> shown the history that is 'pretty', denying future collectors the full
> picture?
>
> Howie makes a very good point IMO, and it would be a shame to miss the
> opportunity not only to include such information, but also to utilize
> this history to highlight why it was done, and why it need not be done
> now. What better way to stress the urgency of preservation than by
> telling future generations that these wonderful radios were buried,
> dumped off ships, and otherwise destroyed.
>
> My first Command set followed a similar path as the BC-348 in that it
> allowed me to get up close and personal with the set as well as making
> it work. It also opened my eyes in later years to the futility of
> continuing down such a path with additional surplus sets. Not unlike
> the FT-101E, DX-100, and any other number of rigs, they were once
> plentiful, not R at RE or 'collectible' but rather a tool for getting on
> the air. Some guys today cringe at the classic old broadcast
> transmitters that have been hacked up over the years by trained
> engineers. One needs to keep in mind that they were a tool, like a
> hammer or power saw is to a carpenter. Down time meant lost revenue
> for the business. Surplus sets in the thousands, even tens of
> thousands plus, were no different. They not only gave thousands
> affordable access to the amateur bands, they gave many a deep respect
> and appreciation for the gear.
>
> Though not a collector per say myself, I do know several
> dyed-in-the-wool collectors who have been at it for decades. They
> appreciate the modded sets for what they represent: a point in radio
> history. Some have heavily modified sets in their collections (the
> Leary Hammarlunds come to mind) as well as surplus sets used by true
> OTs or even modified by the military for a specific purpose.
>
> These sets also represent an opportunity for new arrivals to pick up
> an already-hacked set to play with, learn on, or to relive their
> Novice days. Several folks have posted here and elsewhere in recent
> years expressly for these sets to avoid hacking up an untouched
> example. Best of all for the user/conservator is the opportunity the
> modified sets provide for parts. I've sent parts to other from my
> stash of ARC 5 and Command sets too rough for much of anything else,
> and have a nice box of those tiny screws that always seem to escape.
> All for a few bucks or even in a FREE pile at a hamfest.
>
> Only the New Age collectors seem to turn their noses up at certain
> historical artifacts and events which don't meet with their image of
> 'pristine' condition for bragging rights or such. I know a few guys
> like this as well, it's all about impressing others, not about
> accurately representing history.
>
> Then of course, there's the old saying (paraphrased) about those who
> forget [or ignore] history being doomed to repeating it. Nothing wrong
> with preferring the proverbial 'mint' examples only, but to ignore the
> rest seems a bit reckless and irresponsible to me. The fact that an
> event wasn't 'pretty' doesn't make it any less relevant or any less a
> part of history. Showing only the pretty history seems to miss the
> point.
>
> Opinion only, of course.
>
> ~ Todd,  KA1KAQ
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