[Milsurplus] Command Sets, the conversion thereof

[Mike Morrow]

> TO ME (emphasis added), modifying a NOS rig is like taking white-out to a
> Picasso because you don't like both eyes on the same side of the face.

It is even more pointless to do this on a flounder. <g>

My outlook is that the gear doesn't have to be anywhere near NOS to merit preservation in original state (including capacitors, resistors, tubes, etc. where possible).  The key characteristic is that it be in the condition that it was in while still in *military* service, even if it left the service dirty, beat-up, well-used, and possessing many later military mods, MWOs, ECNs, or depot overhauls.  Dirt removal, cleanup, and metal straightening are the only "mods" I perform to gear of this type.

A piece of gear that was actually used in military service has much more historical ambience about it than a unit that never left its shipping crate until Joe Ham got it.  Don't you wonder what ship or aircraft or tank that the well-used radio veteran on your table served in?  My used BC-348-R and my used T-47A/ART-13 were chosen to reflect in appearance similar amounts of service usage and both have the typical post-WWII mod marks and decals that would be expected on an AN/ARC-8 that served many years beyond WWII.  I wish knew where they've been over the world.  I like the NOS stuff, but no less do I appreciate the gear that actually served the US in a long service life, and shows it!

73,
Mike / KK5F