[Milsurplus] Radio Estate, Collection v. Piles of Stuff

[J Forster]

Some collectors just accumulate piles of stuff, and others attempt to
assemble 'flight decks' or complete systems. IMO, it's a real tragedy to
break these up into components to sell on eBay or someplace else.

Clearly, some parts of systems are quite rare and will fetch a high price
as individual parts, while other parts are pretty common and almost go
begging. For example, some ARC-5 connectors will bring as much as a
receiver or transmitter on occasion.

Dealers have a tendency to break systems up into their component parts
for the best monetary return. You can't really blame them as the market
for a complete system is likely a lot smaller than for individual
pieces.  Frankly, I'm being a bit hypocritical here, because I've
benefited from being able to buy missing bits, but I'd really like to see
complete, authentic systems preserved as such. After all, a person may
have spent a good part of a lifetime collecting and wiring up all the
bits. All that goes away if the thing is parted out.

Best,
-John