[NJARC] Welcome Rob to NJARC and retirement.

[John Dilks K2TQN]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to the group.  I echo Ray Chase below and add the following 
15 tips .....

Patience really pays off in collecting.  Many times I picked up a 
part of something interesting, and later on at a different location I 
picked up another piece - enough to make one good one.

Learn what things are worth (this takes time).  Then when you see a 
bargain, jump on it.

Also, if you find something that you really like and you can afford 
to spend the money - then don't worry what it is worth.  Buy it and 
enjoy it.  Some collectors worry too much about what they have and 
what it is worth.  Then they don't really enjoy their collection.

While at auctions, preview things and decide what you want to bid on, 
and when to stop.  Don't let winning the auction to beat out someone 
you don't like control you.  You will both loose.

Some radio people are really cleverly (they think) disguised as 
collectors but are really re-sellers.  They usually complain a lot 
about paying too much and will always find fault with what ever you 
want to trade or sell.  You'll learn to spot these types in time.

Then there are legitimate re-sellers who are in business and are an 
important part of the hobby.  They seek out good pieces and pass them 
on to those who don't have the time to dig around in every antique 
shop or yard sale.  Some of these folks have store fronts or a well 
stocked garage somewhere.

Networking pays off - both in the club and with friends and 
neighbors.  Let them know you are collecting; you'll be surprised 
what might come out of their attics.

When something is offered free to you, you should try to take it - 
even if this means you might have to throw it away later.  Then thank 
the giver.  If you say no, then the next time they won't bother to 
call you - and that time it might really be a goodie!

Learn when to say NO.  Most of us learn this the hard way, and end up 
with too much stuff.  Some of us never learn.  :-)

Visit other clubs and join them when you find ones you 
like.  Belonging to more than one club keeps the hobby healthy and 
gives you a wider base to operate.

Buy old radio books from the era you are interested in.  New 
collector books are nice, but you will learn more from the older 
books.  (Many have been scanned are now on line and free.)  NJARC has 
a library at Infoage.

Then there are the ham radio operators. (I'm one of them.)  We love 
to trade home radios for ham gear.  And we're always trying to 
recruit new members.

Subscribe to Antique Radio Classified Magazine.  This magazine is the 
glue which keeps the hobby informed and working together.  Advertise 
in there every so often.  You get one free ad a month.  Advertising 
keeps them running, and by the way, they have just reduced their ad 
rates if you want to advertise more 
often.  http://www.antiqueradio.com/freesample.html  Visit their site 
and you will learn where other clubs operate.

Most local radio collectors are good people and are trustworthy.  I 
have found a "very few" who offer to buy something from you and then 
don't pay later as promised.

Ebay sellers are good and bad with their descriptions and 
honesty.  Most are bad at packing and shipping.  UPS and some 
shipping companies leave a lot to be desired.  Most times face to 
face works best and cash completes the deal; and you walk away with 
your treasure.

73, John Dilks, K2TQN
   www.k2tqn.com/


At 10:16 AM 1/2/2009, you wrote:
>Dear Rob:
>Not sure what you mean by "Radio research" types but you will find 
>all kind of folks active in NJARC and many are "newbies" to radio as 
>well.  Check our web site <njarc.org> as well as <infoage.org> for 
>more information.  Personally I'm pre Nam, more of a WWII type.  I'm 
>sure that you will enjoy our organization and joining is a good new 
>years resolution.  Any info you need, please get back to me.
>Ray Chase
>
>Robert Lilley wrote:
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