[R-390] Surplus Recalls! (was: Is this the beginning of the end?)

[Tom Norris]

Please bear with me, and I apologize in advance for this posting.

Hit your delete key now if you have no interest in military radios or  
surplus.

I've been reading the Armyradios list from time to time.  Seems DRMO  
is wanting some things BACK, apparently because terrorists might use  
it.  I've only been reading snippets, so no details as to what models  
need returned for further demil or what simply needs a renewed end  
user agreement.  It's been a very heated discussion.  Anyway.

Scenario, a semi-crowded city street, mid-afternoon.

Two fellows are talking on radios.  One has a PRC-something or  
another with a long foot whip slapping around strapped to his  
shoulder and is talking on a bulky handset (or may be wearing a  
headset of some sort).  The other fellow has a small everyday  
commercial HT.

Who will be the first one noticed?   (I've heard similar stories from  
military vehicle collectors. WTF?!?!)

Most commercial off the shelf, gear is smaller and some can cover  
from DC to daylight -- my Icom 706 MkIIG works as wonderfully on the  
top end of AM broadcast as it does in the middle of a shortwave band  
or VHF low or air band or any number of places.  It would take a  
several pieces of average (average stuff, nothing exotic) mil gear to  
accomplish the same thing -- [mil gear that is commonly found at  
somewhere like Mike Murphy's and not lifted from a depot or smuggled  
in from somewhere else. And lets not talk about spare parts and test  
fixtures needed to service some of this milstuff.]

For HF, an IC-703 works many hours with battery power, has an  
internal tuner and works well with an antenna slung over a tree.   
Slips into a backpack easily.

For non-HF look at any number of HTs that do DC-Daylight on tx as well.

Why would a terrorist need a military radio?   According to "war  
stories" from buddies, those in the field in Iraq, etc use disposable  
commercial radios.  Some say a "goodly number" of coordination takes  
place via email or IM - or even cell phone text message.  How hard is  
it to have an IM message with someone to discuss plans, then finalize  
the plans by sending them a cell text message? ("Dearest brother, it  
is now Tuesday.  Third building on the right, may God bless you"  
Boom)  No army radios.

So why are US citizens right taken away in the name of [this weeks  
excuse]

TOM

I hesitated to post this, but I saw the supplement too.  And have  
been reading about the foolishness of surplus being recalled.  Yell  
at me if you wish.


On Dec 31, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Les Locklear wrote:

> Just received my Fair Radio Sales Co. Winter 2005 catalog  
> supplement. Not much of anything in it except some R-392's w/ 
> substitute meters, checked for $550.00.
>
> Since most Military electronics are now being de-milled, I would  
> suspect that this is the dying gasp of a once thriving industry.
>
> Just my opinion, YMMV.
>
> Happy New Year to each and everyone of you!!
>
> Les Locklear
> Gulfport, Ms.
> Professional Curmudgeon & Equal Opportunity Annoyer
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