Collection 'themes' (was SMC)

[Dave]

> except for a Viking Adventurer for sentamental reasons, as they pretty
much
> evoke the period and my early ham days. I wonder what sort of focus the
> various collecters here use?


Karl,

Indeed - sentimentality and 'theme' are what seem to drive many
collections.  In my case, I have acquired all the radios I wanted so badly
as a kid but could not afford.  So now I have an S-line, C-line, B-line
SB-line, and all the big boxy boatanchors I wished I could own.
So sentimentality in it's own right became my 'theme'.  I have all the
old Radio Shack receivers - SX-190, DX-150, DX-160, Globe Patrol
regen kit, DX-302 - I remember looking at the 150 with my Dad in
the early 70's trying to twist his arm to buy one.

But I make sure they all get USED on the air!  I built a huge TR system
(lossy no doubt, with tons of stray capacitance) using DPDT relays and
an old Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III switch box I found to select a
given relay, and thereby feed antenna to any radio or radio pair in my
shack.  So I get to actually USE my collection on the air.   The slight
losses in the TR system are quite insigificant in practice, and I am able
to work DX on my HQ-110A / GSB-100 pair, or any setup in the house.

My very first Novice rig was a Heathkit HW-7.  My parents bought it for
me for Christmas in 1975.  I really really wanted an HR-10B, DX-60B
HG-10B setup, but they thought the HW-7 looked more 'impressive'
and surprised me with it.  I had a lot of fun building it during a driving
blizzard that winter, sitting in a warm basement soldering it together.
But once it was on the air, it took weeks before I ever worked a soul,
and that was a local.  Takes alot more skill than most novices have to
make a QRP rig a successful first radio.  I later worked the world with
it, and still have the radio although I seldom use it anymore.
I can still hear that microphonic chassis pinging in my ears!

The following Christmas, I got a used SB-101 and a General ticket, and
used that for several years to come.  Heathkits have always been
a fascination with me and I often end up firing up the HW-32 or the
SB-101 just to hear that 'Heath' sound that is unique to these radios.

I have photos of these radios and many more at my web site if you're
interested.  It's at http://www.boatanchors.com

Thanks for starting a nice thread.  I look forward to reading what other
themes folks are putting into place for a basis of collection.

Take care all,

Dave WB7AWK
http://www.boatanchors.com

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
To subscribe: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
and in body: subscribe HEATH yourfirstname yourlastname
To unsubscribe:  listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
and in body: signoff HEATH
Archives for HEATH: http://www.tempe.gov/archives
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --