[Hallicrafters] How to Destroy a Nice Hallicrafters Receiver

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 7/11/06, Peter May <peter_may at optusnet.com.au> wrote:
<snip>
> It's hard to believe, but there was a time when an old tube radio was worth
> nothing, anything not solid state was valueless.
> So people modded and experimented these sets with no concern to the
> cosmetic/aesthetic appearance value, or the interest of future generations.
> If they messed up, they stripped it for parts or binned it with no regrets.
> If it was missing knobs they pinched them from another radio.

Herein lies the real issue. Unless someone knows it was converted last
week by some collector who 'knew better', it's not really fair to
judge the past by today's standards (or at all, for that matter).

There was a time when ARC-5 receivers really were $5 or less NIB, and
people had no issue with improving the performance (by cutting or
drilling) of their surplus or current technology rig the same as some
do today with their recent Yaecomwood riceboxes, for whatever reason.
Once upon a time this old gear was actually seen for its utility and
not as a financial investment, R at RE collectible, or means of upstaging
your collector friends. There probably were a few who were even
envious that the former owner had a monitor 'scope in his receiver,
like the Central Electronics 100V/200V transmitters.

If your radio broke down, you fixed it. The object was to be on the
air or at least listening, not admiring it on a shelf. Fixing it might
involve using a different size switch, knob, whatever. When a newer,
improved tube was developed, you might even adapt your radio to use
it, to improve its utility. When technology advanced sufficiently to
require a new rig (like when SSB came along or solid state), your old
rig was not all that attractive an option for others and you were
lucky to get something out of it. If you couldn't afford a new SSB
receiver (75A-4s and SX-115s were pricey), you might just drill and
blast to add a product detector to your older rig. I agree, the
receiver looks pretty sad compared to an unmodified example, but I bet
it seemed fine at the time. It could be restored if someone wanted to
do it badly enough. The starting bid price isn't much incentive.

Try this: the next time you decide to put an addition on your 1980s
home, change the kitchen cabinets, or repaint it a different color,
stop and imagine someone in the future looking back and criticizing
your choices and thinking ill of you for them. It might only be a
house to you, but to someone in the future, it could be R at RE, LQQK -
VINTAGE HOMESTEAD! After all, split-level ranches or condo apartments
might be the desirable, historical home style of the future, and we
could be condemned for hacking them up. (o:

~ Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ