[Milsurplus] Re: Russian B-29 HF Radios

[J. Forster]

Kargokult@aol.com wrote:

> However - for example - look at a Russian transistor radio from the Soviet
> era. Where transistor radios in the western sphere had parts from all over the
> world, the Soviet radios had parts only from  several certain factories. This
> one  political block manufactured its own ferrites, tuning caps, lytics,
> transistors, speakers, batteries - they couldn't just shop for the best, best
> priced, most advanced.

The idea of technological self-sufficiency is sometimes expensive, but not
entirely a bad idea. I have seen other countries do the same (Japan, Canada,
mainland China) Embargo's have been a weapon of international policy for years,
and self sufficiency is the best response. It forces the development of home
grown industries. Just look at what happens here if there are even any hints of
the oil tap being turned off. In fact, many argue that the USA is in a weak
position now because we are dependent on other countries for a huge variety of
products.

I know for certain the USSR was denied the machines to precision grind tiny ball
bearings in the '50s and '60s. They must have eventually developed the same
capability, or figured a work-around, and were better off as a result.

-John