[Milsurplus] Enigma .... not THAT one !

[Hue Miller]

----- Original Message -----
From: "pete williams" <jupeter@datafast.net.au>

> It's an obvious question, may be been asked before, but why is it that
> the resources of  the knowledgeable  in U S A , haven't produced a set
> of volumes   similar to that  produced by Louis Meulstree--- titled
> "Wireless for the Warrior. ". ? They cover Army radios in 2  volumes
> and I believe a third is in the course of preparation

I have thought about this too. For one thing, i don't think there would be
much of a demand for such. At least in book form, where it would have to
be pretty pricey. There are all kinda radio collector specialty books out
now, but it's still a fact that people interested in Hallicrafters, Catalin,
crystal radios, even military vehicles, are *much* more numerous than
strictly mil. equipment collectors. Another factor which dissuades me from
even thinking about this, is as soon as you publish, you will have a score
of additions and corrections arising. I think this is due to the numerous
small-producton experiments and special modifications and such, not
so commonly seen outside the factory walls, in the world of civilian
equipment.
I have a pretty fair pile of the "cannonical" U.S. gear - i mean practically
all the stuff considered non super-exotic, enuff that i'd thought of doing
some pix/ text, like that olde large blue volume of the surplus books
series,
or like those books on communications receivers that are out now. But
again, as soon as you go into print, the exceptions, additions, corrections
will come pouring in. Perhaps publishing only on CD is the way to go -
but there goes the glory that copyright protects. So perhaps another way to
do this would be as a community project, a mass project, with no one
author or copyright. I am thinking on cutting my pile way down, and with
no firm commitment to take on any publishing project, the opportunity
to do this is just going to leak away from me.\
BTW, not related, i was looking at the manual for the Australian AWA HRO,
named "AMR-101", and saw that the packing trunk alone weighs 100 lbs.
With the radio and PS inside, that makes about 170 lbs. Well, no wonder i
had trouble moving it!
Hue Miller