[Milsurplus] surplus equipment & end of life decisions

[Mike Durff]

On Nov 3, 2012, at 9:56 AM, "C.Whitaker" <whitaker at pa.net> wrote:

> de WB2CPN
> Well, I'm 84 now, and it's becoming more of a
> problem every day.  What do I do with a basement
> and garage full of ham and related equipment and
> parts?  I belong to two ham groups, and not one
> of the members have an interest in techie things.
> EOR
> EOW
> 73  Clete
> (End Of Rant)
> (End Of Whine)


Clete & other list members:
I think we all face this problem sooner or later. When I "retired" in 2003 & moved to NW AR, I filled a 5 yard construction dumpster several times. This is not to mention all the copper containing motors & transformers I gave to a fellow just for hauling them off. Of course, I cherry picked most of the "useful" items for myself. I have 500sq ft downstairs filled with vintage recording equipment. I also have a 10x40x15 storage unit filled to the rafters with "lesser valued" items for 9 years now @ $60 per month. I am building a 24 X 32 "shop" behind the house in order to move the items from storage. I have found one young man in town who loves this stuff, but has no clue what to do with it. He is now off to college, RIT engineering school in Rochester, NY. I tried to get him to read books about Marconi, Tesla & others so he would have some background on his studies. He thinks Bill Gates invented computers.
I am also a listmember of the Maritime Radio Historical Society, MRHS... you know, the 
big power CW coast stations. They have the same problem. There are no youngsters coming along to keep the filaments lit. They have been doing some really great work on a large scale. http://www.radiomarine.org

How about the AWA? I wonder what the average age of their members is?


I suppose this is a generational turnover. Things that glow in the dark from a bygone era just don't interest the youngsters. With instant wireless comms over iPods & iPads, who can blame them? Maybe this is just a low ebb in the cycle of interest. My children aren't interested in my stuff, but maybe their children would cherish it. Only time will tell. In my opinion, we have to be the best caretakers we can in our lifetime. We have no control over the future. I hope to live as long as Clete (I'm 62)and at least get to enjoy my hobby while I can.

73 MD