[ARC5] On Hacking

[Mike Morrow]

Dave wrote:

> Thank God Almighty for Gordon White.  Without him, I think every
> Command Set would be beer cans now.

Gordon's monthly articles in CQ in the 1960s were eagerly awaited
by me, and were the only reason I ever spent very scarce funds in
high school on CQ.

> But amongst the general 1940s-1970s ham population, I think the
> "wonderful ham innovations with surplus military gear" are more
> myth than fact.

I've been impressed by the attitude of military firearms collectors.
For a weapon or accessory to have *any* interest to those people, it
must be in the same configuration as when used by the military.
Some go so far as to insist that these items be in the condition
as received from the factory, but I'd contend that then one rules
out most items that actually saw usage by a soldier and thus possess
great historical provenance.  A sportorized Model 1903 Springfield
or Model 1917 Winchester or Mark III Enfield is in any case essentially
worthless.

I apply the same standard to my military radios.

73,
Mike / KK5F