[Boatanchors] Boatanchors

[Donald Chester]

In the previous thread that started on the subject of 813s and  grid to  filament short and quickly morphed to a discussion on horizontal vs vertical mounting of tubes, then to p.e.p. and AM  power, a couple of people mentioned how they were "offended" by the terms "slopbucket", "plastic radios" and "appliance operators".  If I were so thin-skinned, I would have to say I'd be offended by the term "boatanchor".

I always resented the expression "boatanchor"; although it's not so much the case now, it used to be clearly derisive, back in the the sideband-for-the-masses era (the period when Swans, Galaxies, Heathkit Hotwater rigs and their ilk first made SSB easy and affordable to the average non-technical ham and ignited the infamous AM vs SSB wars of the 1960s). Back then, "boatanchor" was a term often used to make fun of solidly-built equipment like a Collins 32V series transmitter, R-390 receiver, or heavy power supply and modulation iron.  I remember more than once back in the early 70s, being at a hamfest and lugging something like a BC-610 plate transformer or a kilowatt modulation transformer back to the car, and hearing snide remarks off to the side as I made my way through the crowd, 'har har looks like somebody found himself a BOAT ANCHOR, har har'.

But I think I was the one who got the last laugh.  Over the years, from many hamfests, estate sales, classified ads and even picking stuff off kerbside on trash pick-up day, I now pretty much have my own private radio warehouse, and rarely have to purchase anything brand new for building a project, but look at the prices this kind stuff is bringing on e-Pay and elsewhere to-day, if you can even find it.

Don k4kyv