[Milsurplus] A Good Start for 2017

[Peter Gottlieb]

I agree.  A non-functional radio is a dead radio, only good for a technical 
museum or collector, both of which are dying out.

Enjoy these old radios; fire them up, smell the old smells, see the filaments 
and electron glows, hear how they sound.  If you want to keep one as original as 
possible, that's fine, but don't expect anyone beyond you to keep it from the dump.

Many people I know would rather take their collections to the grave than pass on 
pieces to any of the remaining few who still appreciate them.  I say keep what 
you will reasonably use and spread out the rest as far and wide as possible if 
you want to preserve the history.  That's the best chance of keeping it alive 
longest.  You could also have a younger member of your family make a series of 
videos of you explaining the history and operation of your favorite sets and put 
on youtube.

Peter
KB2VTL





On 1/1/2017 11:54 AM, David Stinson wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Feher" <n4fs at eozinc.com>
> Subject: RE: [Milsurplus] A Good Start for 2017
>
>
>> Dave -
>>
>> The BC-9 originally used VT-1 tubes. 73 & HNY - Mike 
>
> Thanks for writing, Mike, and you are absolutely correct.
> However- Good Western Electric VT-1s, if I could find them, would require a 
> sizeable lottery
> win to purchase.  The direct-replacement GE VT-11s are also nearly 
> unubtainable and
> nearly equal in expense.  With a slight adjustment of filament supply voltage 
> (6 VDC vs 4 VDC),
> the proper 5V is delivered to the 01As and I believe
> they will work in this application.
>
> I've been asked why I'm reviving this 95-year-old
> radio- shouldn't it be kept untouched?  It's a fair question.  My goal is to 
> both enjoy reviving and operating these
> veterans and seeing them preserved beyond my time with them;  I don't see 
> myself so much their "owner" as a temporary steward of them.
> Cold, dead radio "mummies" sitting on a shelf stir little to no interest; 
> "radio museums" are closing all the time and their collections are going to 
> the recyclers.  A working radio,
> singing and reminding the viewer of their mission
> and history- those get noticed and thus, have a better chance to be preserved. 
> "Radio Mummies" end-up as beer cans.
>
> Why do you see fewer WWII milradios offered?
> Because most of them sat in garages until Gramps could "get around to it," and 
> the only thing "got around to" was Gramps, by The Grim Reaper.
> The kids shovel all his "old radio junk" into the dumpster and it's gone forever.
>
> The question is "how can I make this radio play
> while doing no significant, meaningful damage to it?"  I know people who would 
> say heating
> a solder joint "damages" it.  Well, maybe.
> But read what I just wrote again and "pick your poison:"  an "undamaged radio" 
> on its way to the crusher or a revived one
> on its way to a new, happy steward?
>
> Anyways.... All the best for 2017.  I always look
> forward to anything you contribute.
>
> 73 OM DE Dave AB5S
>
> P.S.  The capacitors in this rig are almost a CENTURY old- Cornells Dubilier.  
> Have tested almost all of them and so far, all are good!
> https://goo.gl/photos/EAmUJPJno9HpwmAV6
> Amazing.
>
>
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