VOLUME 22               AUGUST 2005                NUMBER  8

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for August 2005
(Copyright 1996-2005 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

Thinking about recent letters we've received and the articles in this issue, I'm struck by the idea that diversity is a key to radio collecting. Readers often ask for articles on a wide range of topics, and we would like to be able to comply. However, everything we publish comes from you readers, and we can't urge you enough to share with us your wide-ranging projects and discoveries.

Some of you do that regularly; others may hesitate, thinking that a particular topic has already been covered and does not bear repeating. We beg to differ. There's always a new angle to explore on a topic, and not everyone today has read the article of ten or twenty years ago on the same subject. And, of course we're always open to the new and unusual in this constantly evolving radio world.

Ed Ripley's lead article certainly fits that category, even though he admits to committing the "unpardonable sin" -- marrying a 5-tube Invicta chassis to an Art Deco intercom unit. Purists will forgive Ed when they think about how he's given new life to the old intercom, and, at the same time, saved a chassis that might have been discarded. The result is eminently pleasing to its creator, and isn't that one very desirable goal of collecting? Such a project also illustrates the diversity in collector interests.

Take Richard Brewster as another example of diversity. Richard may well be called our "museum reporter," as in his world travels aboard a Mercy Ship, he doesn't forget his radio roots. He's always on the lookout for a radio museum, and his latest find is in the Orkney Islands in a remote corner of Scotland. This small local museum is indicative of how widespread the passion for radio preservation is and how it combines the old and new technology through its website. A vacation trip to Orkney may sound like a good idea, but now you can also visit the museum on the Internet.

Again speaking of diversity, many readers tell us that the auction reports are of prime interest to them. As we've no doubt said before, Ray Chase has made almost a life's work of auction reporting, a real gift to us all. This Estes auction offered a collection illustrating a wide range of interests, everything from radios to phonographs, parts, magazines, tubes, military and communications receivers. Unlike a collector with a focus on something like battery sets, Kenneth McCall's interests were broad, and so, for the auction reader, there's something for everyone.

Not for everyone is the importance of who was the first radio broadcaster. But Gordon Greb and Mike Adams have been steadfast in their defense of Charles Herrold as the man who first broadcast regularly scheduled, publicized programs as early as 1909. Paul Bourbin presents an excellent review of the Greb-Adams book, and asserts that, in his opinion, their case for Herrold is a strong one. Furthermore, he found the book to be a very good narrative. Thanks to Paul, and our best wishes to Gordon and Mike on the sale of their book and its message.

David Row's letter and message to readers from Singapore on the other side of the world reminded us once again of the far-reaching appeal of antique radios. Even though David's primary interest has always been gramophones, he became hooked on the world of radio through A.R.C. For him, the diversity in the designs of radios is what has made him an "addict." We're glad we were part of his addiction and wish him well in his very productive retirement.

A.R.C. Benefits. Continue to take advantage of A.R.C. benefits: a toll-free number (866) 371-0512; Discover, MasterCard, American Express, Visa accepted; the Web, www.antiqueradio.com; books shipped free in the U. S. by USPS media mail; and for current subscribers, a 10 percent discount on all book orders.

Coming Radio Events. We're in the thick of summer radio activity now, as the calendar shows: 24 meetings, 2 auctions, and 9 meets, including two major meets -- ARCI's RadioFest XXIV and AWA's 44th Annual Conference. I hope you can make one of these events.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

Printed without comment

We continue to receive reports from advertisers of e-mail responses to their classified ads proposing to pay them with a check, sometimes via a third party, in excess of the purchase price. The seller is asked to refund the difference by wire. In more than one case reported to A.R.C., the check received was "bad."

To minimize problems, we suggest that you always know whom you are dealing with or ask for references.

ON THE COVER

Thanks to Ray Chase, our cover photo this month shows a small sampling of the hundreds of items at the Estes auction of the Kenneth McCall collection. This something-for-everyone type of auction appeals to diverse interests and is a reason that auction reports are so important to collectors.

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