[Boatanchors] Collins receiver distortion

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 5/10/05, Dan Arney <hankarn at pacbell.net> wrote:
> Well, Bob I am 6'2" and 278 with 56" chest and unfortunately a 52" waist.

Geez, looks like I'm the little guy here! I'm 6'2" but only 180 or so,
waist is 33 or 34". Maybe I need some of Hank's RapidGro fluid
solution (is it good scotch, Hank?).

Phil: I agree, I never bought into the 'worship' aspect of Collins
gear, SX-88s or anything else that is supposed to impress others. I
like to play with many different old rigs and keep the ones I like,
pass on the ones I don't. 'Cool looking radio' factor and enjoyment of
use are what matter.

This last weekend at the hamfest I dropped off a pair of HT-37s for
delivery to a fellow in NJ whom I'd never met. He couldn't make the
'fest so someone was picking them up for him. They were in overall
good-very good condition, cabinets needed pstriping and painting but
all knobs were present, panels in good shape, no mods, etc. I sold him
the pair for $200. Some would insist I got 'screwed' because he got a
good deal and wasn't a personal friend. I think we both got a good
deal: he got two transmitters to play with, I got more space and a few
bucks to blow on other gear. I also traded a Collins-tagged (wooo!)
T-195 complete with meters and dynamotor with a listmember for a nice
Hallicrafters RBK-16. I was told the T-195 was worth a fair amount
more, but not to me. It's great to live in a (mostly) free country.

Why is it that it's considered okay for a seller to get as high a
price as they can, but not okay for a buyer to try to get a better
deal? Is either party obligated to sell or buy? Again, I think some
guys confuse intentionally ripping off some poor widow with getting a
reasonable or "good" deal from a seller. Hamfests are known for deals.
Ebay is known for top dollar. That's a general statement in both
cases, since I've gotten what I'd consider good deals on ebay and seen
ridiculously priced gear (IMHO) at hamfests. Something to keep in mind
is that sellers not only have the ability to educate themselves to
prices far better today than ever before, but they are also generally
motivated to get rid of stuff for one reason or another. Sure, I
could've gotten more for the HT-37s by repainting the cases and
listing them on ebay. My issue is time and space far more than
perceived value. I have little free time as it is, and less space than
I used to have to. I also would have had to pack and ship them, or
take them somewhere to be done. I hauled them to Hoastraders with me
and dropped them off, the buyer had sent me a check in the mail. I got
a good deal because they are *gone* with minimal effort and time. I
don't know about the rest of you, but my time is valuable to me.

I do agree with Hank about the folks who want something cheap only to
turn a quick profit on. Reminds me of a guy who just HAD to have this
old bakelite Zenith kitchen radio I was selling at a 'fest one time
for $25. He begged and pleaded with me to come down on the price, so I
let him have it for $15. He promptly stuck it on his table with a tag
for $35. No one bought it, of course, but I learned an important
lesson then and there: seller beware as much as buyer. Or, if you're
really worried about perceived value, educate yourself and accept
nothing less than the price you set.

I've yet to see anyone walk up to a seller at a hamfest and say "you
really should charge me $100 more for this, so I can feel better about
myself". Value is something that you and the seller place on an item.
A good deal is a transaction that both parties are happy with. I
believe they call it 'free enterprise' so long as no one is holding a
gun to your head. There are slimey crooks out there, Hank and I were
recently discussing one from his neck of the woods. But every person
who gets an item at less than ebay top dollar price is not a crook. I
certainly don't see myself as a fool for selling something for less.

Fortunately for me, old radios are just an interest, a hobby, a
pastime. Granted - a very big one, but not life or death. I don't make
a living from it and wouldn't want to. Depending on my hobby to feed
me would really take the fun out of it. I'd starve for sure....

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ