VOLUME 20               AUGUST 2003                NUMBER  8

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for August 2003
(Copyright 1996-2003 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

The long, lazy days of summer suggest the need for a wake-up call -- a way to counter the "dog days" often associated with August. And so we decided to try something different in this our twentieth summer. Why not a contest inspired by our cover photo, contributed by Mike Grimes? "Name the radios" is the challenge. We invite you to come up with a list based only on the radios on the cover, not on those in the fuller photo on page 13. Send your entry by any means you wish, but please include your full name and postal address.

The pile of "scrap" in this photo cries out for some sort of organization. Please start from the top and work left to right, row by row, to the bottom. Since there is no way for us to really identify each radio in the old photo, of course, there is no megabucks prize, just the pleasure of knowing you're among those who can identify the "dear departed." We expect that there will be more than one "champ," and we'll publish the best entries in a future issue. Perhaps there will be debates about what's what in the photo, and that will add to the fun of the contest. We look forward to hearing from you.

In contrast to the "scrap heap" radios on our cover, Thomas Boyd's 1934 "All Star" kit radio, the subject of our lead article, has no identity crisis. Thomas didn't just find the kit; instead, he did the research and validated it as a kit. An article followed, and all of us are the richer for this process.

Kit construction might be added to Jim Menning's article that is full of sound advice to "newbies" who want to learn more about radio collecting. In a detailed way, Jim takes on the educational component so necessary to the encouragement of new collectors. He aims the inquiring person in the right direction, and what is even more important, invites him to consult the newsgroup any time. Such an ovation to newcomers is essential to our common goal -- radio preservation.

Newbies might well aspire to the long experience of the late Alton DuBois. Our files still contain a number of unpublished Alton "Vignettes" about his life as a TV serviceman, which, of course, had many a humorous twist. It's a good legacy.

On the other hand, we're not necessarily encouraging newbies to go as far as Jack LaVelle and acquire a large radio-related tattoo. In a "Collector Profile," Jack describes how a Kolster K20 got him hooked on radio and led to his museum of over 500 items. Interesting though that is, Jack's giant tattoo might be an even bigger draw. However, his tale of the painful process of acquiring the tattoo will guarantee its being unique.

As for the educational component of radio collecting, Walter Heskes and his friend RadioBob are doing their best. They have started with very young candidates -- Walter's five year-old twin boys. Though a five-year-old's attention span is short, the boys did have some input on the repair of the Hallicrafters S-38A sent as a present by RadioBob. These young newbies are the hope of the future for our avocation.

The present is well taken care of by folks like Ray Chase who never misses sending great auction reports to A.R.C. The Carolina/AWA meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, continues to be a big success. One reason may be the adherence to the "LeMans Start," which means that sellers, as well as buyers, are not allowed on the grounds until the 8:00 start. How civilized! No one has to get up at 4:00 a.m. and everyone gets a fair start. This is a plan we have found to be most successful at the GBARC meet here in Westford, Mass., every February. Carolina has all the ingredients of a good meet -- flea market, auction, camaraderie, and, by Ray's account, an outstanding contest.

Table models from the 1920s to the 1940s are definitely "in" on the Photo Review pages. There are two striking foreign sets, an E.G.L. single-stroke tap bell, and a most unusual Zenith "Twin Midget" set. Variety we definitely have.

In answer to a request from John Bartlett in the July issue, Radio Miscellanea contains detailed instructions for disassembling a Philips L6X38, sent by Scott McAuley. We also offer suggestions for solving a Web search problem. Exchanging information is what A.R.C. is all about.

A.R.C. Benefits. Be sure to take advantage of A.R.C.'s benefits: a toll-free number (866) 371-0512; the Web: www.antiqueradio.com; Discover, Visa, American Express, and MasterCard accepted; books shipped free in the U. S. by book rate; and to current subscribers, a ten percent discount on all book orders.

Coming Radio Events. August events total 36, including two auctions, one in Ohio and one in Michigan. The major events are Radiofest XXII in Elgin, Illinois, and AWA's 42nd Conference in Rochester, New York. Hope you've made your plans to attend.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

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PRINTED WITHOUT COMMENT

We have continued to receive reports from classified advertisers of a response via e-mail to their classified ads proposing paying for the item via a third party. The payment would be in excess of the purchase price, and the seller is asked to refund the difference to a foreign address.

As always, we suggest that you know your buyer and seller or ask for references that he has done business with to minimize problems.

ON THE COVER

Our cover photo contributed by Mike Grimes surfaced when the townspeople of Gladwater, Texas, were asked to contribute historic pictures to a town exhibit. This is a "see it and weep" kind of photo when we learn that the old radios were to be used for World War II salvage material. Thanks to Mike for reminding us to be vigilant and to look out for salvage heaps everywhere.