[Milsurplus] Surplus stores, then and now

[Robert Nickels]

And from the Heartland -

While we did have the "Nebraska Navy" when I was growing up as a kid there,
it was just a gag amongst politicians and other bigwigs.  The good news was
I was able to visit some of the hallowed ham radio stores such as World
Radio Labs in Council Bluffs and Henry in Butler, MO.   The bad news is I
never had the pleasure of seeing row upon row of mil surplus radios like
some of you describe.

But the one surplus store I did get to visit is one many will remember
"Surplus Center" of Lincoln, NE.  Also known as "Burden Surplus Center" -
and it's still in business, still in the same sprawling location on West "O"
Street http://www.surpluscenter.com/   and still sending out free catalogs
(which I just requested!).  While it always tended more toward motors and
hydraulics, the catalog used to contain a fair number of electronic gizmos,
like my J-38 novice key and the humongous "25 pound surprise kit" my folks
got me.   Never knew what half the stuff was, but I still recognize a few
bits and pieces when I run across them.  Where else would a 10 year old kid
get his very own Geiger-Mueller tube?

73, Bob W9RA