[Boatanchors] Goodbye folks, it's been nice

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Tom Norris wrote:

> When a posting to the list of a not for profit
> vintage QSL operation gets me yelled at, now
> is the time to leave.
>
> I give up. I now almost regret having supported
> Al and QTH net when I get admonishments like
> I just got.
>
> I apologize to those on the list I offended.
>
> no 73's I'm afraid. 

Sorry to hear it Tom, but I can't say that I'm surprised. No doubt it's 
not easy to maintain a list like this and keep it under control, but 
attempting to over-control will end up with the same result as trying to 
hold a bird too tightly in your hands. Even if you don't crush it, the 
bird will eventually give up and die.

I do find it odd that other QTH lists (R-390 and milsurplus come to 
mind) often have posts from members selling reproduction parts, panels, 
knobs, dial overlays, etc to help folks preserve their old gear. While a 
vintage-look QSL isn't a radio per say, it's certainly a part of the 
hobby. The CCA made repro A-Line logbooks and QSLs available to their 
members, you can buy the logbooks now for $3.  Hank Arney makes parts 
for the R-390, SP-600, R-388 and more....can't believe he's getting rich 
off it. Orrin Bentz offered to make canvas covers for gear through his 
business and started an uproar, so....  You know, I've seen Duane 
publicize information for the fellow who used to (maybe still does?) 
sell paint for restoration work. What makes the paint any different 
than, say - a custom-cut cover to protect the radio? I've seen ads on 
here for HTs for sale and Uniden 10 meter rigs - what do they have to do 
with boatanchors?

It reminds me of a radio club I was once in. Worked my butt off for 
them, even edited and improved the newsletter for a year. But there was 
a small group who HAD to have control, HAD to do everything their way 
regardless of what the members wanted. Eventually it became a chore and 
no more fun, and after 95% of the members left, it pretty much died. 
Someone is trying to revive it now, time will tell. A list is only as 
good as the sum of its parts.

Keep me posted on how it goes, Tom. If you make too much money, maybe 
you could sell me a Vintage-look QSL card franchise. I could be the East 
Coast distributor.....

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ