[Collins] Hamvention 2004

[Paul J Dobosz]

We'll see more and more 2-way stuff surface as the public safety and
business folks move 
higher in frequency and to digital modulation.  With IRLP the interest of
newcomers seems
to be more on the VHF and UHF gear from the Japanese manufacturers.  I
didn't see much
boat anchor or vintage equipment (relative to prior years), nor did I see
too many of the 
appliance op types buying any of the surplus land mobile stuff.

Like you ... my main reason for going to Dayton nowdays is for the social
experience.

Paul - K8PD

On Sat, 15 May 2004 22:30:56 -0400 Roger Shultz <nj2r at earthlink.net>
writes:
Dave,

I saw one Howard Mills restored 75A-4 for sale,  asking price was $1800,
several  round 312B-5's for as low as $600, a couple sad 75A-2's (one
with the Universal Service product detector) in need of a good homes and
a few other S-line pieces. The flea market was probably less than two
thirds sellers, and many spaces of that 2/3 it seemed were just
convenient parking spaces with no sales evident.  It was not uncommon to
walk past many spaces with nothing there which was quite a departure from
my previous 30 years of attending. Not only were there few pieces of
Collins gear but there was not much other boat anchor era equipment or
parts  either. There sure was plenty of commercial two-way gear though.
Surplus Sales of Nebraska, always good for some wishful Colllins parts
collecting was barely there compared to its traditional representation. 

Hams attend for all sorts of reasons, some for the nostalgia, some for
the forums and some for the latest and greatest, specifically the new
Yaesu and Icom radios. Though it seemed much smaller in terms of crowds,
commercial vendor participation and even food vendors, it's still a Mecca
in May for many of us. Meeting old and new friends is always a bonus too.

Of course it rained which is to be expected but unlike when held in April
it didn't snow or sleet! Friday  was pretty good rain-wise except for a
few expected sprinkles. I'm grateful to the Dayton folks for all it takes
to pull this event off and hope it continues for many more rainy
springtimes.

73, Roger NJ2R


From: "David Knepper" <cra at floodcity.net>
Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 21:37:03 -0400
To: <collins at mailman.qth.net>, <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: Electric Radio <1editor2 at indra.com>
Subject: [Collins] Hamvention 2004




Another disappointing Hamvention due to the weather conditions.  Rain
practically all day today.  My wife and I left the grounds just before
Noon.  Rain was constant almost all the way to Pennsylvania.

The 8th Collins Forum, organized by the CRA was held on Friday morning. 
We enjoyed meeting everyone.  Door prizes were provided by Electric
Radio.   We are most appreciative of Ray Osterwald, editor of ER, for his
generosity. 

The program this year (our 8th Collins Forum) focused on the restoration
of the Collins 20V-3.

>From my observation and those of several others, there seemed to be a
conspicuous absence of Collins equipment.  No 75A-4's were seen for sale,
which is unusual.  Saw some S-Line equipment and very few KWM-2A's.  Much
less Collins than in previous years - very unusual indeed.  Prices, of
course, were by some standards, on the high side.  I suspect that the
trend continues, that is, to sell Collins on Ebay.

Contrary to some rumors, AOR is still producing the DDS-2A on a limited
basis.  Representatives from AOR spoke at the Forum.  For those who own
this unit, it was indicated that there have been no updates to the later
units.  The DDS-2A at the Collins Radio Center is about six years old and
it works flawlessly.

Thanks go out to W8ZO for presenting me with an original sales flyer on
the Collins 30K-1.

Any other observations on Dayton?

Dave, W3ST
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
Publisher of the Collins Journal
www.collinsra.com <http://www.collinsra.com> 

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