[R-390] The radio machine, getting bit by the bug

[Rick Popovich]

Ahhh yes I remember it well, it was junior high for me (1970), in my
electronics class our final project was to pick from an assortment of 7
or 8 electronic projects, build it and then demonstrate to the class our
successful completion (or otherwise) of the project. I picked the 5-tube
radio, which I was admonished was probably a bit too ambitious for my
skill level at the time. Of course we all think we are more advanced
than we really are and my teacher let me take my best shot. 

I built the radio extremely carefully, triple or quadruple checked each
stage, got it all done, powered it up, all the lights and tubes came on
... and nothing, no sound, no receive, I almost cried. I checked
everything again 4 or 5 times and couldn't find anything wrong. I took
to my teacher and he checked it again a number of times and found one of
brand new components was bad from the factory. After recovering from the
emotional shock we replaced the faulty part and she worked like a
million $$ .. got an A+ and had been bitten by the bug.

A couple of years later I was taken by a friend who was a Ham to visit
the HENRY RADIO store in west Los Angeles ... I've never been the same
since, I was mesmerized by all of the gear on display. I remember it to
this day, walking down the aisles wishing I was an adult with a job so I
could buy all those incredible radios, Swans, Collins, Hallicrafters,
National and so many more !

Of course the curse of my 5-tube radio came back to rear its ugly head a
few years later when I returned to HENRY RADIO after scrimping and
saving all my birthday, Christmas and odd jobs earnings to buy a used
Galaxy 5 transceiver with power supply. I got it home, had gotten my ham
ticket and was ready to go on the air for the first time .... only to
find something was wrong with the Radio and I had to return it for a
refund. Dejected, I abandoned the "Bug" for a number of years until
another ham invited me to visit their shack and the bug was reawakened.

Now as a mature adult I have the knowledge and resources to enjoy these
classic radios and relive my youth every time I flip switch and the
tubes glow again ! 

Rick Popovich