[Milsurplus] Wire Thoughts

[J. Forster]

I'm not suggesting that anybody sell the ranch for the "correct" wire, I
do think say $20 a hundred feet from Narraganset, enough period stuff to
wire up a few ARC-5s, is worth the price.

YMMV,

-John

==============


> 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
>
>
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