[Milsurplus] Wire Thoughts

[David Stinson]

Re: Cable wiring.
I can take constructive criticism- especially from a master craftsman
like Mike Hanz- with gratitude.  I may not agree with
or do what they suggest, but I respect what they say.
Snide or snarky is different.
Frankly- The couple of times I've had someone sneer at one of my 
wiring
harnesses and say: "That's not really authentic," my reply is:
"Oh?  What have *you* done?"  I have yet to get a good answer.

Guys- every time I hear someone say a wiring harness was
"only done this way" or "only done that way," I find an example
that, once again, proves the truth: They did it with whatever they
could get at the time that would meet the specifications.
I've got original cables that must have a dozen splices in them,
where the techs cobbled-together bits-n-pieces to get
enough wire to do the work.  Navy sets with armored cable.
Army sets with black rubberized cable.  Both with open wire.
The so-called "post war" white wire with the clear jacket,
the amber tubing and jute twine lacing with varnish
on a war-time PL-64 (By the way- if that white wire is
"post war," why does the original tag on the roll I have
here show a 1935 contract date?).
Most everyone who can say with certainly what's "authentic"
has joined The Choir Invisible.  We have photos, a few original
examples and the manuals.  These show that there was no
rigid standard.  It's a "bell curve," with a wide range of
"acceptable" under the curve and some things outside it.

Don't get me wrong;  I want to be as "correct" as I can,
but you gotta draw a line somewhere.
Just for me- If I thought I'd have to thread wire
through shoe laces, .... naaaaaah... no way.
Other valid options are open.  On my SCR-287,
I used black vinyl pipe with the white wires run through it,
which displays just like unobtainium black rubber cable.
Hard part is keeping the vinyl in the connectors,
but that's another story.  Yes; I could go to one of
those custom wire and harness makers we've discussed,
but I can't spend two month's salary
 on one four-foot wiring harness, thanks.
Nor am I going to spend more on the wires
than I did on the radio.
One has financial obligations other than his radios.

I guess I'm saying that there is an "overboard" here
which is not necessary.
Don't wire your set up with WalMart zip cord,
but I wouldn't take out a second mortgage to buy
"simulated-correct" wire, either.
There's a sensible median.

73 DE Dave AB5S