[Milsurplus] Economic realities and modification

[Jess Lewis]

?Agreed....

Most of the articles in the “Evil” CQ Surplus Conversion manuals, were 
reprints from 1946~1950, when the average ham was lucky to be making $40~50 
per week. The good communications were in the $250 ~500 range, so were well 
out of the price range of many, especially the newer & younger budding hams.

Some rigs, in the older ads were selling for xxx dollars, and oh by the way, 
if you wanted tubes for that, they were optional extra.

So, a logical solution was to plunk down your $5. Get a brand new, in the 
box, surplus rig and get on the air, or hack & experiment to try and make it 
do what you wanted. Part of the FUN of being a ham, wasn't it??
Surplus gear isn't something sacred to most people, just as old rusty and 
bent up automobiles from the 40 to 60 era isn't either. The museums are full 
of pristine "military surplus" rigs, if you are itching to see one. So, what 
is the point in "blasting" or looking down your nose at someone who hacked & 
had fun in doing it.

Jess KR4OJ