[Milsurplus] Re: [ARC5] History of Ham Mods: Opinions?

[Mike Morrow]

>Should a collector's guide to WWII radios, which emphasizes the history of
>the equipment, include a section citing examples of exceptional ham radio mods?

No.  AFAIK, there has never been a ham modification of such equipment that should
be of any interest to a collector or military historian, unless details of the
modification was to aid restoration of a violated piece of equipment.  But
restoration techniques should not be part of a written history of the sets.

>On one hand- it is a part of the history of these sets.

The notable history of these sets ended when they were removed from military service.  

Ham use of modified sets is essentially one in which the original set is viewed as
a cheap source of parts for a ham rig.  There was never any interest in the
function or history behind the original.  Look at all the horribly disfiguring
conversions (ARB, RT-91/ARC-2, R-105/ARR-15, etc.) that appeared in CQ and 73 magazines.
Gordon White's articles in CQ were a refreshing and very positive contrast, and the
ONLY reason for buying CQ 40 years ago.  Many (but unfortunately not all) surplus 
articles in Electric Radio continue Gordon's pioneering approach of discussing the
original history and use of the subject equipment.

I've been a ham for more than 40 years.  I understand why, 40 to 60 years ago, hams
would modify such gear for parts or actual use.  I don't understand why anyone would be
doing such things today, even when it's done to gear of much more recent vintage.  None
of the recent gear will ever be made and released in the quantity that the WWII gear was.

Mike / KK5F