[Hallicrafters] History

[k0myw at att.net]

I've enjoyed the various recollections of prowling "Radio Row" and other big-city surplus haunts in the 1950s. As a small-town Midwestern kid back then, I didn't have such opportunities.

But we did have one wonderful Mecca -- Henry Radio in tiny Butler, Missouri.

My dad traveled from the Ozarks to Kansas City regularly on business. If it was a one-day trip on a non-school day, I'd beg a ride. He'd drop me off in Butler in the morning and pick me up on his way home that evening -- except for that one time he forgot I'd tagged along and he didn't show up until 9 p.m. after doubling back many miles to retrieve me.

The guys at Henry Radio knew I wasn't a potential big buyer, although I did eventually manage to scrape up enough savings to purchase a new Hallicrafters SX-99 from them in 1958. Nonetheless, they would allow me to spend the day in their "showroom" with the top-of-the-line receivers set up there as demonstrators.

Fond memories, indeed....

Mike, K0MYW