[Milsurplus] Abuse of radio "relics"

[Dave Maples]

All: One thing that the mil surplus hardware provided was a set of platforms that folks could use to learn and practice electronics.  In the postwar years that was absolutely invaluable.  The net worth of that to both the people involved and to the nation at large was far more than the collectable value of the hardware, IMHO.  As a limited-budget youngster I was the happy recipient of a BC-348Q and a 40 Command Set, both of which I modified and both of which I used, and learned from.  

I'm certainly not as keen on drilling holes in hardware (whether mil or not) now as I was then.  I try very hard to find matching connectors for stuff, and I don't do circuit mods without a really good reason for doing so.  I tend to figure that the mfr knew what he was doing, and I enjoy fitting into that plan when I know what it is.  I'm definitely not a collector, though.  I'll replace with modern parts when necessary, and I'll mod when necessary to make something work.  If I can't use something, I'm not going to keep it around just to look at.  I'll enjoy someone else's collection, or the pictures of same.

For what it's worth.

Dave WB4FUR