[ARC5] AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! :-(

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 8:04 AM, Mike Hanz <aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org> wrote:

> Interesting...a RAT (or RAT-1) receiver with no nameplate on the top
> cover.  It suggests the cover has been swapped for some reason...someone
> went to the trouble of swapping out the nickel plated screws on the side of
> the cover for black ones.
>

A possible explanation.

I knew this guy from NY who moved to Maine and fancied himself a big time
collector of National gear. He only got into radio in 1995 or so and was
playing catch up with those who had been at it for decades, buying like
crazy. Whenever he ended up with a military version, he'd yank the tags and
fill the screw holes, saying "Those tags look ugly and don't belong on
there". And being the expert, he knew he was right, of course.

Seems like plenty of folks back in the day wanted their surplus to look as
'civilian' as possible. The former owner probably wanted all the screws to
match and 'none of those ugly tags' on his radio.  I'd bet it's the
original cover, de-tagged.

Wouldn't surprise me if a light rub down with a cloth damped in paint
thinner revealed the back labeling. Aside from the missing tag, it's nt in
very bad shape. And it has the dynamotor.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4