[Milsurplus] Dayton day one

[Ray Fantini]

Dayton Ohio and Friday the 14th:
As if to prove some bazaar point the weather in Dayton did exactly what they said it would not. The forecast was for scattered morning showers, some locally heavy with clearing in the late afternoon. There were some ominous clouds this morning around 0700 but it never did rain, not a drop and by noon the sky was clear and the sun shining. Very pleasant, almost hot. Cannot ask for better weather for hamvention.
I arrived on site 0730/45 and decided to set up tables and just move some stuff outside before walking around. This was a mistake, this year I had a truck load of military tube testers, TV-7, TV-2 Cardmatics and the like and was swarmed by buyers. In the period of an hour or so was cleaned out of the TV-2 and Cardmatics and only had two TV-7 left by the end of the day. The TV-7 went for $300, the TV-2 were between $400 to $600 and the Cardmatics in there natural state (broken) all sold for $300 each. Many afterwards tell me that was too cheap but would rather see them sell fast low then sit and work to sell them high. Also sold a SP-600 and a HRO-M for $300 each, still have a few things but not much for tomorrow. After the morning workout finally hit the road and saw many things. First R-390 and 390A receivers were plentiful ranging between $500.00 to $650.00, some with covers some without and a very mysterious black face R-390 for $650.00. Do not know how it came to be that way but looked professionally done, looked like every other one I have seen but black instead of gray. There were a number of ART-13 transmitters; at least a half dozen or more between $250.00 and $325.00 also saw LF tuning box and dynamotor power supplies for them. A group of around a dozen TCS receivers and transmitters racked up with shock mounts $300.00 to $375.00 a pair. These were all clean good looking radios, it appears the day of the beat and hacked TCS sets under the table for $25 are gone! Other items of interest, a FRR-59B receiver for only $300.00 that did not sell, remember when they were like gold. A SRR-11 for $150.00 that could be carried away for $100.00 easy. Lots of ARC-5 stuff in fair to good condition $35.00 to $45.00, looks like there price is dropping. A TBW HF and LF transmitter along with the power supply deck very clean looking sold for $300, the original asking price was $375 A RU-11 set complete with all coils, mounts, plugs, head and that weird little service meter net in boxes $400.00 This same seller had several other mix and match GF/RU sets and parts used in black and aluminum for $35 to $45 each, many with shock mounts! Earlier that day he sold Joe a TBX-8 radio, battery box, generator, bags and transit cases for an undisclosed amount. All looking unused. Other items I saw of interest, A Bendix case with shock mounts, no radio but the gray box for $7, don’t know how they came up with $7 and not $5 or $10? And several SCR-522 chassis in various states in the $5 to $10 range, looks like no one loves them? Did see a 522 test set for $40 unused. Have not seen the usual test equipment dealers this year, have no idea why but hardly a big loss. The same surplus dealer who had the PSM-37 and many assorted aircraft radios for $1 per pound was there but his bins were clear of radios, just test equipment. Tomorrow is a new day; I have some cash and a 618T and APR-4 that I have been eyeing.
Ray Fantini KA3EKH