[R-390] Boatanchor Storage - Some questions???

[Biddle, Richard]

The military guys use something known as prime pack to keep things forever.
I recently bought a set of 1960 vintage headphones that came in the prime
pack bag.  Thirty plus years old and the rubber cord was as flexible as the
day it was made and the cloth headband cover was perfect.  (From Antique
Electronics)
 
When we prime pack military/JAN integrated circuits, we put the parts and a
desiccant (to getter residual moisture) in a special aluminized plastic bag
and evacuate as much air as possible with a vacuum pump, then heat seal the
bag while holding vacuum. 
 
I recently opened an R-390A RF deck that I had stored about five years ago.
I used an industrial heavy duty trash bag, some desiccant I picked up from
the gun store, and a vacuum cleaner.  I made sure the bag was well sealed by
rolling the end over and securely taped.  It was then put in a cardboard box
that was stored in a non-environmentally controlled storage unit we rented.
Came out looking fine.
 
I have seen TV adds for some bags that are used to store clothes.  These
appear to have a check valve to make the vacuum cleaner part a little
easier.
 
My large gun safe keeps things pretty dry and rust free.  I use a BIG can of
desiccant but you can get electric dryers.  With the prices boatanchor stuff
is fetching at auction, maybe that is the right place to keep them anyway :)
 
73 de Richard, KB5WLH.


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