[Boatanchors] Radios, and N.O.S. tubes

[FRED - W4FJF/ka2hlw at netzero.net]

Hi Group,
   Not all sellers are like the ones that are described in past posts. 
BUT, there are a few (or likely more than a few) sellers that will say 
anything to get the top dollar for their broken radios, or used tubes. 
Just because the tube has an original box doesn't make it N.O.S., and 
this "hesitation" to visually inspect a radio's insides, or to plug it 
in to verify its electrical condition should raise red flags in your 
minds as to its actual condition. At a hamfest, the club sponsoring 
the 'fest should have a "test bench" with basic test equipment(vom, 
dmm, freq counter, dummy load/swr/power meter, 12vdc supply, a/c mains 
access). The Montgomery Al. 'fest has had a table with this stuff for 
years.
   I actually had a seller be totally honest with me at the Huntsville 
Al. 'fest last weekend. There was a Hallicrafters SX-130 sitting on a 
table with a $20 price tag on it. This was definitely not a normal 
price for this radio, so I asked what was wrong with it. The seller 
said that when he plugged it in to test it, he let the smoke out of 
it! It was D.O.A., and he knew it and priced it accordingly, he said. 
I was pleasantly surprised when he said that he would take $10 for it 
so he wouldn't have to lug it home. Who could refuse this bargain from 
an honest man? So, I have a winter project now, and some of my faith 
restored about buying used equipment from a stranger. This one deal 
made the whole hamfest worthwhile. There are honest sellers out there, 
and I'm glad I met one.

        TNX FM FRED - W4FJF/NNN0QAA REGION FOUR, 73
AMATEUR RADIO IS A NATIONAL RESOURCE, NOT "JUST A HOBBY". 
NAVMARCORPSMARS MEMBER,"PROUDLY SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE".
A FOOL'S PARADISE IS A WISE MAN'S HELL.