[Milsurplus] Dayton-Fair Radio

[Ray Fantini]

I arrived at Dayton last night and attended a BGS (Broadcasters General
Store) mini convention this morning and after a stop at Hara to drop off
some stuff for AMSAT I preceded to the highlight of the day, the annual
trip to Fair Radio. Having done this for a couple years now have learned
a couple things, first if you’re going their take a flashlight! Very
poor to non existent lighting in the back room. Second watch where you
stand! People will climb above on the shelves and last but not least
take lots of money.
Although I have been their three times now still amazed by the quantity
of items. there is at least ten to twenty times the amount of items that
are listed in their catalog,  I counted around twenty ART-13 sets in
different levels of cannibalization and at least a equal number of
BC-348 that are slowly disappearing, there is a entire isle of ARC-5
sets to provide parts along with many complete sets. I did see one
transmitter that was still in the box. there are lots of other green
radios like the big supply of PRC-47 and R-392 parts sets, and quite a
selection of R-390, Racal and a endless supply of GRC-106 , ARC-105 and
R-1051 sets, but my area of interest lie in the cold war era aircraft
stuff so I will dwell on that. I set out with the goal of obtaining the
remaining parts I need to complete  my ARC-55 and repair my ARC-73 There
is a big assortment of ARC-73 radios, maybe fifty complete sets. I
needed a new transmitter frame and one was found for $20, it was missing
the cover and the RF deck but all I need is the switching transistor and
a couple other parts so that worked out well. Next up was a shock mount
for the ARC-55 and the two connectors for the radio. I did not check how
many pins they have before I left home assuming that their would be
plenty of ARC-27/55 sets their. Well although they have just about
everything else I did not find one ARC-27 or 55 so with out knowing what
to get  their will be no connectors bought this year. They have a row of
Cannon connectors organized by pin count but when you don’t the count oh
well. I did pick up a new shock mount that had never been installed for
an ARC-27 for $20, but now discovered that it’s a different mount for
the 55 so if anyone needs a 27 mount let me know. In addition to this I
also picked up a tuning adapter for a Bendix radio compass for Mr.
Smith, they had three complete bendix ADF sets along with a couple parts
sets.
 It’s interesting to see the parking lot at Fair full of cars, for those
of you who have not been their you should know that they are located in
a old lumber yard easily filling the building and two out buildings.
Their had to be at least forty  people their ranging from regular hams
to the hard core mill radio collectors, saw at least six  Japanese their
too. As always lots of interest but don’t know how much buying, they do
have everything but they don’t give stuff away. Will have the results of
the first day of Dayton tomorrow.
Ray Fantini KA3EKH