[Milsurplus] ARB

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milsurplus-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Stinson
> I find my ARB quite appealing and am pleased 
> with the performance of  it.  I care nothing whatever 
> for the history of its ham radio reincarnations
> but I understand that others do and that's OK.  

To me, there's a fuzzy dividing line between what's restorable and what's
not.  If a radio can be made to operate as intended, that's how I want to
go.  If not, I consider it open season to play with or, if it's too far
gone, strip for parts.  

After the war, surplus equipment became available by the carload*.  This is
when the history of how the equipment *was utilized* split into at least
three different tracks: the continued military use, the commercial
conversions and the ham conversions.  While the continued military use
follows the originally intended use of the equipment the other two tracks
are of importance as well, the latter since it was how a number of hams
could afford to get on the air well into the 60s.  I was one of them as I'm
sure were others on the list.  My contention is that they are of historical
interest because they happened thus became part of that historic tapestry
I've talked about in the past.  In my rather ignorant opinion, to ignore
them is to attempt revisionism which I won't do.  Others feel that at least
the ham utilization isn't properly part of the equipment's history which is
cool with me.  Don't rain on my parade and I won't unleash my 2nd ex-wife on
yours.  :-D

* For those unfamiliar with the term, this is not the result of a lucky trip
to Dayton but rather railroad boxcars ... which I guess could also be the
result of a lucky trip to Dayton.  

I have absolutely no information on commercial utilization of ARC wartime
equipment during or after the war however I'm awash in ham conversions and
plan to pick a few of them for inclusion on the website.  In the conversions
portion, there will be warnings of retribution via the wouff-hong &
rettysnitch in agonizing combination for any soulless individual who would
perform conversions of any sort on restorable equipment, doubled or trebled
if it's still virgin.  

> We cannot demand our position be respected
> while dismissing the position of others.

This falls under the "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
heading.

> I do not demand you agree with me.
> Please don't be mad because I don't agree with you.

I hope other list members will read and heed.  I got body slammed enough
back when for wanting to include conversions in what was then to be a book.


> So if y'all will pass me the peas, I'll pass you the potatoes
> and we'll all get some dinner.

I've got the dinuguan - or more accurately sinunguan.  The adobo will be
along in a bit.

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!