[Milsurplus] surplus equipment & end of life decisions

[Robert Newberry]

This is a sad state of affairs. I got started in radio at 12. A ham by 15.
I am now 33, and play with the modern SDR stuff and tube gear.

I got out of my way to learn as much as possible from local hams that are
into vintage and green gear. The good thing is that these guys are more
than thrilled somebody who isn't of retirement age has an interest in
preserving the knowledge and wanting to be more than an appliance operator.

It does sadden me that there isn't more people my age interested in
carrying the torch.  I really do have a respect for radio and it's history.
Probably the reason why I make a living fixing them.
On Nov 5, 2012 9:33 AM, "Mike Durff" <mike at oldaudio.net> wrote:

> 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
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