[Boatanchors] Historic Preservation (longish) ... was: RE: Reforming Caps? (Michael)

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi Michael,

I'm going to add my two cents worth. I would be reluctant to put scars
on old equipment. The stuff I have has already been modified to some
extent. Like you, I have my radios to *use*. I might be getting a BC453
in original condition this month. I have the schematics and the other
info needed to use it without changing anything at all - I can make
connectors. I can connect heater and plate power to it and control it
without changing anything. I will probably have to change some internal
parts that are out of spec/defective. If I buy it then it's *MY* radio.
If the collectors of museum pieces really wanted that radio it wouldn't
be available to me, especially at my price.

I have the receiver from a mil surplus backpack set - BC1306. Lots of
parts inside were fried by somebody else before I got it. I'm using it
for a whole different, new, homebrew radio. It wouldn't be much more
work to fabricate a whole new BC1306 from scratch in a home machine shop
as to "restore" the one I have with the equipment I do have (no machine
shop in my garage). Okay that's just a slight exaggeration.

I'm betting that if I offer to trade my unaltered, old radio (if/when I
get one) for a modified, working unit there will be no takers. When I
make the purchase and the radio arrives we *WILL* find out because I'll
make exactly that offer. I seem to recall a similar offer with no takers
for the BC1306 receiver.

Have fun with *your* gear Michael.

73,

Bill KU8H