[ARC5] Interesting find.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 18 Mar 2011 at 16:03, Bob Macklin wrote:

> But go back to the 50's and look at what was commercially available
> and within the reach of the average ham.

Oh, I remember!!! Boy, do I EVER remember! I was first licensed in 1956. 
Too poor to buy anything decent.

My first "good" receiver was an S-41G a subcontractor for my step-father's 
construction company found in his basement.

I would have been in hog heaven with even ONE good ARC-5...

Finally, my Mom bought me a BC-348 from a friend. Then I WAS in hog 
heaven.

> And then the WWII military stuff was available cheap. Many hams got
> started with what was considered junk in the 50's

Yes. As I said...

> A lot of was just given away through MARS! You could give it away or
> even trade it but you could not sell it.

Yes. I started in Army MARS. Eventually they "gave" me a brand new 
complete Tech-Rad T-350XM transmitter. What a beauty! I sure wish I still 
had it today.

> In my case I even stripped AM BC/SW console radios for parts. No body
> wanted them.

Same here...I remember a beautiful GE all-band receiver of some sort in a 
beautiful wood cabinet, with a chromed chassis. It even had a BFO. I took 
that apart too. Should have kept it. I have never seen another one like it 
since.

...and eventually old console TV sets too...

Ken W7EKB