[Milsurplus] Strong Stomach Needed.
Todd, KA1KAQ
ka1kaq at gmail.com
Fri Jul 17 11:36:44 EDT 2009
On Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 10:00 AM, Mike Morrow<kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:
> The following is strictly my opinion, and its "rule" applies to me only:
>
> Today there is no need to modify in any manner 65-year old equipment just
> to get on the air. The cheapest used 35-year-old rice box will do that with
> far better performance characteristics and lower overall cost
I knew there had to be some points we agreed on, Mike. (o: My approach
to the statement above is to ask 'why bother trying to make it into
something it was never meant to be, when there are so many other cool
rigs out there that will do what you want? A great excu,,,,reason to
get another radio!
We've had the mods/no mods discussion on the list many times over the
last decade or so. In commenting on the original video link topic, it
was never my intention to see it morph into this. My objection lies
with putting forth a morally superior/self-important attitude towards
others who either don't agree or don't know any better - particularly
when so few people are joining the ranks to carry the torch after
we're gone. It makes me wonder who the next Bill Howard or Tony Grogan
will be, of if there will be anyone at this rate.
The general question to the original point, put another way: If you
came across a guy with a truckload of old gear (Rare, NOS, NIB,
whatever) that he was destroying with a sledge hammer, and knowing
nothing about the guy or why he was doing it, how would you handle it
and what results would you expect from your choice? Would you walk
over and tell him how revolting his actions were, how stupid you
thought he was to destroy such things? Or would you try to talk him
out of it, explain something about the gear and its history, hoping to
save the gear and perhaps gain a new supporter of your interest and
views? Which approach is most likely to give a positive result?
Attitude doesn't just speak to the individual, it can come to
represent and entire group. Anyone who doubts this need only look as
far as Collins radio equipment and the view for some time that those
who appreciated the gear were self-absorbed/self-important snobs
trying to promote themselves by promoting their collections - an
attitude that grew from the high-profile few. Certainly not unique,
just one of the better examples that comes to mind.
Anyone truly interested in this gear for history, engineering, utility
or otherwise would be a fool not to realize that our radio interests
aren't being pursued by new blood in any numbers these days. We need
to attract more interest, the right interest, whatever works for you,
if preservation and understanding is really the goal. I have to
wonder, though - if someone is truly repulsed by seeing a modified
piece of gear, *WHY* would they even consider posting a link to a
video of it to this list or anywhere else, knowing that it could
result in more of the repulsive behavior by exposing others to it?
Without an attempt to stop or correct the perceived wrong behavior, it
serves no purpose to those of us who already know, other than to
reinforce the poster's 'superior' (to them, at least) view of being
better than all that, smarter than that, and so on.
Really no different than the self-important crowd who laments the end
of the CW requirement, multiple guess testing, and the perceived low
quality of new hams today. Willing to sit back and be critical, but
not willing to do anything to invite the newbies in, or show them what
we consider to be a better way, and why. It isn't the new licensee's
fault that the FCC changed the rules. I'd think that not liking or
agreeing with it would be reason to try to improve it however we can.
It's my opinion that we need to work with what we've got and make the
best of it. Anyone is free to collect whatever they want, including
only NOS/NIB equipment (I like clean stuff too, and upgrade when the
opportunity presents itself). But if someone is going to sit back and
be critical of others without making any attempt to change what they
see as wrong, it tends to make the whole 'preservation' argument seem
hollow, and more an issue of ego.
There's room for everyone in this hobby. How we treat others will
determine its survival into the future, including how much of our
beloved gear gets saved. We can discourage others from taking part for
not doing things as we would, maybe even encourage the few who do join
in to become equally self-important and intolerant. Or we can try to
move them forward with us, with a deeper appreciation for that 'radio
thing' sitting in front of them. I wasn't lucky enough to be born
completely knowledgeable about this old gear, and am thankful for
those who helped and continue to help me learn more. Come to think of
it, I'm glad that I wasn't. The journey is half the fun.
~ Todd, KA1KAQ/4
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