[Collins] Interesting

[Ford Peterson]

> From: "Merle Crowley"
> Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 3:55 PM
> Subject: [Collins] Interesting


>
> Hello to all..
>
> Was reading an E-mail on one of the reflectors from a fellow who stated
that
> he was under the impression that the Collins equipment had reached it's
> peak, Collins things were not moving well,  also the prices were
> dropping??..
>

Snip.....

>
> My point being, maybe the fellow who stated that Collins had reached it's
> peak knew what he was talking about??.. Personally I doubt it myself !
>
> 73
>
> Merle
>

I've been watching the Collins "cult following" for years and have seen the
prices drop in the can.  It all depends on what you mean by "Collins
equipment."

If you mean has the value of a 51J-X  gone into the crapper, the answer is
yes--unless you happen to own one that is very pristine clean, original,
still-in-the-box, never been touched-up, never been modified, never been
turned on, mounted under glass, and you are afraid to clean it for fear that
the "factory original dust" particles on the IF cans would be smeared.

The problem is, much of the older equipment is AM / CW.  The number of hams
using CW drops each year.  To market the old gear, you have to cater to an
ever smaller crowd of old timers that can appreciate the equipment for
reasons other than the way it works.

Newer Collins equipment seems to be holding its own when it comes to the
pristine clean stuff.  Joe average ham has no interest in collecting the
stuff since it is clearly out-of-budget equipment.  The question of value is
so dependent on collectors maintaining the price.  I'm sorry to say it but
they are not making any more collectors of Collins equipment.  I'm sorry to
say that they don't make original parts for much of the gear.  The loss of
having one of your favorites go down because the relay is no longer original
is more than many want to risk.

I'm afraid your email friend was right.

Ford-N0FP
ford@cmgate.com