[Milsurplus] Some Interesting Items

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ray Fantini
> Example of how things are better today! If not for the internet and EBay
this stuff would be 
> in the landfill,

This is an exception to the rule.  Dads or Granddad's old radio junk still
winds up in a landfill way too often, put there by the same folks who'll
then go on eBay to bid on a part for their ricebox and wind up paying at
least twice what it's worth.  Ray, you're assuming the population at large
is capable of rational thought which is kind of like assuming they possess
common sense or don't believe in the credit fairy.  All are fallacies beyond
measure.  The current generations are into the latest greatest instant
everything with rare exception.

The current population of the US is 370 million with what, 1 million hams?
And of those hams, how many are collectors/operators of tube type equipment
- especially surplus?  (John F, I know you're not a ham but you're an
exception to a general rule.)  The generations of collectors are dying off
at a faster rate than people figure out that eBay is a useful (and
profitable) means of disposal and there are other collectors who are
interested in what's in those estates.  When viewed in those terms, the fact
that the ranks of hams are increasing is pretty meaningless.  The ranks of
collectors is growing smaller.  *That* is reality and all the internet
resources in the universe cannot change those simple facts.  

Part of the problem is that *WE* dropped the ball.  *WE* didn't even make an
attempt to generate interest outside the tidy little circles of
boatanchor/surplus users/collectors we created and are now reaping the
results of that lack of foresight.  And, yes, I include myself in that and
am probably worse than most since I don't belong to any clubs nor have I
ever done so but rather was (and am) this little one man "island" of
collecting/operating.  The tricks now are 1.) to know who in your area has
this equipment and help ensure there will be someone to head their
destruction off at the pass, and 2.) become educators of a sort to spread
the word.  

I was fortunate enough to do the former with the SP-200-SX that came out of
the postwar "dump" and Dave's setup is part of the latter.  What will you do
to contribute to the effort?

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
I am me.  I’m the only one who’s qualified.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!