[ICOM] So why does a Collins KWM 2 go for $1200?

[D C _Mac_ Macdonald]

The Eldicos that were similar to the Collins S-Line were US made.  The Eldico company was around for many years.

I strongly suspect that the Eldico "clones" of the S-Line came about because some in the US Congress got ticked off about all the sole-source procurement from Collins and the Eldico company was in their home districts.

I don't know what became of the Eldico company but suspect that Collins may have sued for patent infringement!

Again, I do NOT know the history for sure.

Actually, the performance of the Eldico clones was quite good.  I operated a few of them in USAF MARS use back in the 60s.  We even had a pair of them at Carswell AFB, TX (Ft Worth) in the SAC Alert Facility.  Ran them into a Mosley TA-33!

 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 * 
* (Since 30 Nov 53) * 
* k2gkk at hotmail.com * 
* Oklahoma City, OK * 
* USAF & FAA (Ret.) * 
* * * * * * * * * * * 
 
 
> Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 12:00:11 -0700
> From: dragon40 at shaw.ca
> To: icom at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] So why does a Collins KWM 2 go for $1200?
> 
> C.Whitaker wrote:
> > de WB2CPN
> > Anyone heard of the Eldico. A clone of the Collins, made for MARS?
> > (All this is Mil Surplus)
> > 73 Clete
> > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > On 9
> >
> > Hi,
> I believe it's made in U.K. I operated one. Had funny tubes in them.
> Similar one is Italian Geloso units.
> > ----