[Milsurplus] Ebay spoilage

[uncle_fred1 at juno.com]

     Maybe Ebay "spoiled" things by taking equipment out of the hands of enthusiasts and putting them on the shelves of collectors.  Just because they don't show up on Ebay doesn't mean they end up at the dump.  I have benefited a few times by Ebay and do not consider it "evil", although it has driven up prices (sour grapes on my part).  Radios that were once obtained cheaply and used (and yes, modified)are now worth more to collectors to squirrel away (till the price goes up)or display on some obscure website, that nobody risks putting them on the air at a public event.  Heaven forbid that the filaments now have less emission and the p.a. tubes don't quite draw rated current.  I am sure that some collector will be run out of town when his fellow collectors find out that he powered up his set.
    Who cares if the set works or is original if it never gets seen or used.  The only reason some people want everything original and new is to brag to others of their kind and to get more MONEY for it on Ebay.  People viewing an exhibit do not know what is behind the panel anyway.
    I am in the middle.  I very much admire and appreciate a new or like new piece of equipment on display, but I also enjoy seeing a station however un-authentic up and running.  I have nothing so rare as to prevent its use. I do like to have period pieces if possible, but if it prevents me form "showing it off" at an event I'll use an acceptable substitute. I also do not do non-reversible mods.  I like to use OEM parts but where are they?
   So, just another country heard from and as anyone who knows me will tell you, this opinion will change to suit my mood and my motive. hi hi


Fred
WA7OBB
Corvallis, Oregon

P.S.  Please do not think that I do not like "collectors", some of my best friends are collectors!

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