[Milsurplus] Paraset ( Milsurplus Digest, Vol 137, Issue 5 )

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi Lee,

I agree the paraset..even reproductions..have a place but as somebody 
else pointed out - probably not on this particular list. I don't think 
it was really "military" although it was used by 'resistance' people. 
These days it's a home brew proposition and that is not a staple of this 
list, either. Overhauling, refurbing old military gear isn't much 
different than homebrew but does start out with an already built radio.

A year or so ago at the Michigan QRP Club annual picnic there were 
*three* of them! Very interesting. I considered building one but in my 
limited time I am focusing on gear that I will get more out. More 
operating capability. Much of teh gear that I have and intend to use 
needs a lot of TLC so my paraset is unlikely to get built. Those do get 
a lot of press on some other lists.

73,

Bill  KU8H



On 09/02/2015 03:56 PM, Lee wrote:
> I don't agree at all.  I think a reproduction still carries a lot of 
> history with it.  Maybe it's not original and certainly not as 
> valued.  But that still doesn't take away the history of the radio 
> from it.  As for tools to build one.  Yes that is true unless you buy 
> the reproduction parts such as key, inductor, and chassis with box 
> from reproduction manufacturers.  Then you can use your own parts for 
> the rest of the project or easily reproduce them yourself.  Using one 
> of the reproductions certainly gives you the thrill of using an 
> original. To acquire an original would almost be impossible.  A clone 
> is the next to the unobtainable real thing.  My Philmore NT-200 clone 
> and my Ameco AC-1 clone may not have the market value of the real 
> thing attached to it, but it gives me the pleasure of using one 
> without the cost.  Plus you get the feeling of accomplishment building 
> it.  The clones can be a real enjoyment for many reasons.  They all 
> certainly give me a closeness and to the history of the real thing.  
> I'd love to restore a BC-348 if I could ever find a nice candidate to 
> restore.  However, I'm not willing to pay the prices I have seen for 
> ones for sale.  Consequently,  I stick with affordable avenues to keep 
> me busy.  Right now I just tore down a power transformer for a Drake 
> 2-NT Novice transmitter. I bought the beautiful looking transmitter 
> for $40.00 knowing the transformer was toast. To buy a rewound 
> transformer, it would cost me over $125. Certainly not worth buying 
> for a $150 transmitter. Consequently I am rewinding it myself.  Not 
> hard to do and material costs are low.  You get a sense of 
> accomplishment there too plus you gain knowledge doing it and the 
> project is very rewarding when finished because you wind up with a 
> nice radio at little cost which also looks great.  Bringing anything 
> back to life at affordable expense has always been a rewarding 
> experience for me.  I enjoy rebuilding things from 1000 watt AM 
> broadcast transmitters, to restoring old rigs, to building up QRP 
> kits.  Military stuff interest me too, but for the most part, most are 
> too specialized or cost way to much money for me to buy them.  Like I 
> said,  I'd love to rebuild a BC-348 but I can't get myself to pay the 
> going price. Therefore I keep busy rebuilding or building things I 
> feel I can afford.  I guess everyone needs to do what makes their boat 
> float.
>
> Lee, w0vt