[ARC5] [Milsurplus] On being a Completeist ...

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Stinson
> "Complete-ism" amongst collectors is a goal- a journey;
> rarely a destination.

I like your answer, Dave.  It allows room for those of us who are looking at
equipment that's seen use and units have been replaced with later ones due
to the attrition of war.  As a partial result, given a choice between
NIB/NOS and "experienced", I prefer the latter.  If nothing else, it has
character and a story to tell even though I may never know what it is.  

Wire is a problem.  I far prefer open cabling but that's in large part
because feeding wire through Home Despot armored flex tubing has a certain
lack of appeal to me.  OTOH, the black rubber covered cabling can easily be
emulated using the more modern VRC-type cables as long as no one pays really
close attention to the markings on the cable.  The boneyards at HNL will
probably yield up more modern wire appropriate to the postwar civilian
equipment but I'm still noodling around for age appropriate open wire for
the WW II equipment.  

One thing I may try, at least to get things working, is the combination
GF/RU and SCR-A*-183/-283 mix system.  Yes, I know it's an abomination and I
probably should be shot, stabbed, poisoned, electrocuted, hanged, drawn &
quartered and whatever else comes along for even considering it but it would
at least get things working and be ready so I can build either system (or
both?) properly as parts appear.  I need a very limited set of coils for the
GF-11/RU-16 I have on hand (being optimistic about getting them working
again), enough to cover the 80 & 40m ham bands so I can use them on the air
and, of course, trying for DX.  You know, the mainland.  :-)  

The combo rig isn't part of completeism but rather just a means of getting
things working.  On the other hand, it can lead to a complete system which
is the desired outcome.  Putting together an SCR-A*-183 would probably be
the easier of the two although it would get one extra piece not used in a
command installation, that being a BC-**-183.  Why?  Because I have one and
it would be a shame not to include it even though it's not a legitimate part
of such a system.  It's kind of like putting an LM with the GF/RU, although
not permanently connected to it since the ZB-3 would be normally connected.


Oh, so much fun.  :-)

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
I am me.  I’m the only one who’s qualified.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!