[Boatanchors] [Milsurplus] A Good Start for 2017

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Feher" <n4fs at eozinc.com>
Subject: RE: [Milsurplus] A Good Start for 2017


> Dave -
> 
> The BC-9 originally used VT-1 tubes. 73 & HNY - Mike 

Thanks for writing, Mike, and you are absolutely correct.
However- Good Western Electric VT-1s, 
if I could find them, would require a sizeable lottery
win to purchase.  The direct-replacement 
GE VT-11s are also nearly unubtainable and
nearly equal in expense.  With a slight adjustment 
of filament supply voltage (6 VDC vs 4 VDC),
the proper 5V is delivered to the 01As and I believe
they will work in this application.

I've been asked why I'm reviving this 95-year-old
radio- shouldn't it be kept untouched?  
It's a fair question.  
My goal is to both enjoy reviving and operating these
veterans and seeing them preserved beyond my 
time with them;  I don't see myself so much their 
"owner" as a temporary steward of them.  

Cold, dead radio "mummies" sitting on a shelf stir 
little to no interest; "radio museums" are closing 
all the time and their collections are going 
to the recyclers.  A working radio,
singing and reminding the viewer of their mission
and history- those get noticed and thus, 
have a better chance to be preserved. 
"Radio Mummies" end-up as beer cans.

Why do you see fewer WWII milradios offered?
Because most of them sat in garages until Gramps 
could "get around to it," and the only thing "got 
around to" was Gramps, by The Grim Reaper.
The kids shovel all his "old radio junk" into the 
dumpster and it's gone forever.

The question is "how can I make this radio play
while doing no significant, meaningful damage 
to it?"  I know people who would say heating
a solder joint "damages" it.  Well, maybe.
But read what I just wrote again and 
"pick your poison:"  an "undamaged radio" 
on its way to the crusher or a revived one
on its way to a new, happy steward?

Anyways.... All the best for 2017.  I always look
forward to anything you contribute.

73 OM DE Dave AB5S

P.S.  The capacitors in this rig are almost 
a CENTURY old- Cornells Dubilier.  Have tested 
almost all of them and so far, all are good!
https://goo.gl/photos/EAmUJPJno9HpwmAV6
Amazing.