[JMS] AWA 2007 Conference Report

[Freeberg, Scott (STP)]

The AWA Conference was a alot of fun.  The most memorable event was visiting the AWA Museum.  It is clearly the most amazing place I've ever been in.  The 2nd floor ham shack is magical.  At the top of the stair were at least two homebrew ham stations, mainly Novice style stations.  Both of them were set up with period appropriate desks, clocks, lamps, and even had the original owners logbook set out in front of the equipment.  The walls were lined with vintage qsl cards and other stuff.

The next room held the crown jewels in my opinion, the three spark stations and the various 1920's homebrew transmitters and receivers.  They demo'd the spark stations, starting with the 'QRP' spark and ending with the monster spark :>>  Walls were lined with no-prefix qsl cards.  I could have spent all day just in that room.  I've never seen a functioning spark transmitter before.  When the key was held down for several seconds, and the arc was heard and seen, I was expecting Boris Karloff to walk in screaming "ITS ALIVE!!.. ITS ALIVE!!" hi hi  

On the main floor we got to see and pound out a CQ on Hiram Maxims more code key.  I also got to finally see and touch a Grebe CR-18.  Those CR-18's are simply beautiful!!  I'd sure like to buy one if you have one for sale.  

At the annex, I got to see James Millens transmitter and HRO receiver, plus I got to sit at the mic of that transmitter and get a few pictures.  I was telling Don N9OO that I'm probably the only JMS member without any Millen equipment since my interest is in "James Millen at National", with the SW-3s, FB7's, NC-101's, HRO's.  He pointed out my purchase of a couple of Millen ceramic plate cap purchase put me in the Millen owner catagory :>  

Frankly we didn't have enough time.  The museum and annex was open for only 2 hours (since the volunteers were also attending the AWA Conference) so we had an hour at the museum and an hour at the annex.  

Just the museum alone was worth the trip!  

The flea market was somewhat of a disappointment.  Sure I bought a bunch of parts, but all I kept hearing was how wonderful the flea market used to be in the 'glory days'.  W4MIL told me the flea market used to take up the entire back parking lot and grassy strips.  For this one, only half the parking lot was blocked off, and maybe 1/10th of that was occupied.  

I'm planning on building my next 20's and 30's projects so I'm looking for a few parts that maybe you have in ur junk box. 
I'm looking to buy some National style tube shields like those used in the SW-5, SW-3, FB-7, HRO Jr, HRO Sr. NC101, HRO-5T, etc, some of the round National IF transformers and BFO transformer for a superhet project, some National DX variable capacitors - value not important because I can work around most any value, Cardwell variable capacitors, some small Pilot variables, a couple of VT-25's or 10's, and blue beehive insulators.  I'm thinking of entering a tx in the AWA equipment contest next year so thats why I'm seeking out period parts.  

I got to meet up with several of the JMS members at the Ham Forum, and get pictures.  I did get a line on a Millen VFO, the small one with the vari-arm.  I need to follow up with that JMS member and see if we can work out a deal.  

As Don N9OO mentioned, I bought an HRO-5T, my first HRO.  I had been watching for an HRO Senior, a 30's period radio, but the only one in the flea market was highly priced, no plug in coils, and rough.  The HRO-5T appears to be in wonderful outside condition, even better inside condition, and came with the matching serial number 10, 20, 40, 80 meter coils.  I appreciated Don driving the HRO back to Wisconsin for me.  He gratiously transported all my parts purchases as well as the HRO back to Wisconsin.  Now I just gotta find a day to make the round trip drive to his place and pick up my stuff.  HEY DON, don't get to comfortable with my HRO :>>> hi hi hi

In conclusion, I was glad to attend the AWA Conference!  The AWA Museum was the radio event of a lifetime for me.  I'm firmly wedged in 20's and 30's ham radio, so the museum was like heaven on earth.

73, Scott WA9WFA