[Boatanchors] Radio Collectors, Father Time and "Basket Cases"

[Bill Carns]

While we are just dealing with Collins in our core group, we do not see this
trend at all. Our membership is the highest it has ever been. Our pricing
trends seem to be holding and some are even significantly rising. Good
equipment is in high demand and we are seeing a lot of younger folks joining
who are asking some pretty basic questions, but that is good and what we are
here for.

Amateur radio ranks are increasing rapidly, and while many are what we
sometimes laughingly call appliance operators, many have a great sense of
history and, when exposed to the historical equipment, get very interested
and involved.  It is all about education and exposure.

We recently had a great experience where we supported and publicized the
restoration of the radio ops position in FiFi, the only flying B-29 bomber,
and we ran QSOs from the radio room using the original ART-13 and BC-348
gear. Demand was high, interest soared and the result was some great press
and an ever increasing number of folks bring up that latent ART013 that they
had "always wanted to get on the air".  So....the lesson that we take away
is get some good press, push the history and links to the past and watch 'em
come.

Enjoy


Bill Carns, N7OTQ
K0CXX, Trustee MRCCC
President Collins Collectors Association
Editor, Signal Magazine
Founding Member # AC94-0009
512 618 2762 (Cell + VM)
512 847 7010 (Home + Fax)




-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Curt
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 11:52 AM
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Radio Collectors, Father Time and "Basket Cases"

While I don't own any rare or basket case radios, growing older does prompt
thoughts about when and how best to dispose of inventory.  Need to start
hauling radios to ham fests because packing and shipping is such a pain.

The quotation seems accurate, there are fewer folks interested in old gear
with every year.  I suppose a lot of radio gear will end up in landfill over
the next few decades.

73, Curt KB5JO
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