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

[Charlie , W5COV]

Dave , there are still a few of us that are in a position that we can 
not afford to look at the collector quality items that show up . 
Sometimes we can not even afford the basket case HRO Sr. or for me the 
Holy Grail , that would make me happy , an any condition HRO-5 , that I 
could afford . Certain radios have certain appeal to each of us . That 
particular receiver was the "Cadillac" receiver , that was in our high 
school club station , paired with a fairly new at the time , DX-60 .I 
operated that station each and every spare minute that I could find at 
the high school .

After several home brew transmitters , which were usually re designed or 
a new one built almost weekly as a Novice , I bought my first ever new 
kit , an Ameco AC-1 . That little rig worked all states for me , more 
than once , paired with the receiver that I had for my entire Novice 
term , which was a Hallicrafters S-40 . I still have the receiver and 
listen to it on occasion . I loaned the Ameco AC-1 out to another Novice 
, once I upgraded to General , never to see it again . Who would have 
ever in their wildest dream have imagined that these days I could never 
afford to replace an original $15-$16 kit ? I'll never own another 
original AC-1 , but have a clone of one here , but still not just quite 
the same as an original .

I too have had to build several Dr.'s new homes and offices , so it is 
on rare occasion that I can pick up a boat anchor to restore , even 
though I still love the old tube gear . I am in the position of having 
the time to spend doing a restoration on even a basket case , it is just 
the money issue .

Would also love to pick up a couple of what most people would consider 
basket cases or parts unit of some of the Multi Elmac gear . I have a 
AF-67 and a PMR-7 , that I am currently working on and building a power 
supply for . For the time period they were built in , I find them 
interesting rigs and they make a nice compact station .

Hopefully there will still be guys like me around for a long time short 
on cash and long on time , that can be at the right dumpster at the 
right time . I love to stay busy rebuilding any of the old beauties from 
times past , since I am home bound most of the time . I lose track of 
time when I am in the middle of those projects , just too few and far 
between to find in this area these days .

73 , Charlie , W5COV
> I appreciate the responses, gents.
> However- the point at issue is not whether Boatanchors will still have 
> value and a market in the future.
>
> The debate concerns whether we will spend larger amounts of our time 
> restoring badly defaced equipment- say, an HRO Sr.
> with holes drilled in the front and brush-painted over or a rusted-out 
> Heath DX-40 -
> or  instead look for an example in much better condition.
> The argument is that, as collectors pass on, more "good condition" 
> equipment becomes available, making the heavy work of restoring a 
> "basket case" less attractive.
>
> There was a time when I would expend a great deal of time
> and work on even semi-common radios.
> Today, I can't afford to invest that much time in such items.
> I don't have enough sand left in my hour glass to waste it.
> I reserve that kind of effort for the genuinely "rare" pieces
> and the "basket-cases" are for parts only.
>
> Others may see this differently and I'm interested in their views.
>
> 73 Dave S.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>