VOLUME 26               OCTOBER 2009                NUMBER  10

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for October 2009
(Copyright 1996-2009 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

As we continue to adapt to the rapidly changing media that currently dominates the publishing world, "evolving" is the operative word for A.R.C. In that endeavor, we need your continuing support, and we especially need your help in expanding our subscription base.

What steps have we taken thus far to boost our chances of success in achieving these goals? Besides the lowered cost of ads, we have added a secure and redesigned web marketplace and the occasional offer of $5 discount coupons to be used for renewals and book purchases over $30. In addition, subscribers have been able to access the ads online.

This month, we offer another subscriber advantage -- access to the complete issue online in a PDF format. The process is easy -- go to the home page and click on the link to "Full Issue PDFs." Several earlier issues also are available.

In the light of this increased online access, the question of why not go to an Internet-only format is often asked. Certainly, this high-tech environment makes evaluating that option inevitable. On the one hand, there are those who love the hard copy. Some write that they want it all -- in both formats. On the other hand, most are sympathetic to our financial dilemma.

The fact is that even the Internet-only option has its costs in staff and the efforts required to edit and assemble the material. Printing and mailing are only a portion of the costs of a hard-copy format. It's obvious that we cannot offer the magazine entirely free, and so we must expand our subscription base.

We invite your comments on the critical issue of A.R.C.'s survival. Join the discussion, along with Konrad Birkner on our "Radio Miscellanea" page. It's a pleasure to know that support comes from across the Atlantic, as well as nearby.

In the nearby category (Cape Cod, that is), longtime contributor and semi-retired A.R.C staff member Dave Crocker presents an article on the Kennedy VI. Now, I have a fairly complete collection of Kennedy sets, but Dave has taken me by surprise. I did not know that there were two versions of the Kennedy VI -- another example of how much more there is to learn about vintage radio.

And so it also goes with the persistence of a collector like Daniel Schoo who tirelessly takes on new repair projects. His step-by-step article on the rebuilding of paper capacitors is a testimony to his dedication to authenticity in vintage radio preservation.

Some of that same urge to preserve old radios is evident in Paul Buresh's article about the role of a Silvertone 7134 in his boyhood interest in radio and his inability to let the set go in later life. Once again, a vintage radio is saved from the abyss, and collectors can rejoice.

That phenomenon is always evident in reports on meets and auctions where vintage equipment finds new homes. Our thanks to Ron Lawrence who reports on the Charlotte/AWA 2009 spring conference, while Ed App writes about the SPARK annual swap meet.

In our ongoing commitment to presenting complete information on the radio marketplace, we're grateful to Ray Chase for keeping up with reports on Estes Auctions as much as possible. The highlight of the July 2008 auction was a Fada 212T tombstone that sold for $3,100. We present an auction house report that lists among other items an E.H. Scott Philharmonic selling at $6,000. A.R.C. remains a clearing house for auctions, as well as individual ads and events.

We also try to make room for followups to articles, such as Greg Farmer's response to Dave Crocker's Town Crier horn speaker article, or a response to an article in a vintage magazine, prompting Robert Raynor's novel use of old radios. The ways to expand our knowledge and enjoyment of this hobby are infinite, and A.R.C. tries to present as many of them to you as possible.

And to show as much variety in collecting interests as possible, "Radio Miscellanea" offers article feedback, while "Photo Review" appeals to broad tastes from simple crystal and HB battery sets to a '41 Philco console and a beautiful Art Deco DeWald. Something for everyone is one of our goals.

A.R.C. Benefits. Be sure to take advantage of A.R.C. benefits: a toll-free number (866) 371-0512; Discover, MasterCard, American Express, Visa accepted; a secure shopping cart on the website, www.antiqueradio.com; for current subscribers, a 10 percent discount on all book orders; and as mentioned above, the full magazine available on the web site. Note: Please do not send credit card info by e-mail. Use our secure website, call, fax, or U.S. mail.

Coming Radio Events. Fall radio events are many, as we try to take advantage of the months before winter really sets in. Listed this month are 5 auctions, 26 meetings, and 12 meets. Be sure to attend as many as time allows.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

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ON THE COVER

The photo of the large, 12-tube Fada 212T tombstone on our cover was contributed by Ray Chase, along with his report on the Estes auction at which it sold for $3,100. With its big dial and seven knobs in very good condition, it was a highlight of this auction.

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ANTIQUE RADIO CLASSIFIED

Antique Radio Classified (ISSN:8750-7471) is published monthly, 12 times per year, by John V. Terrey, 498-A Cross Street, P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. Periodicals postage paid at Carlisle, MA, and additional mailing offices. Telephone: (866) 371-0512, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET weekdays; machine answers phone at other times.

Annual subscription rates within the U.S. are $45.00 by Periodicals mail and $60.00 by First Class mail. Annual foreign rates. By air: Canada - $61.00; Mexico - $67.00; Other foreign countries - $105.00. Two-year subscriptions are twice these rates and receive an extra month. Sample issues are available free on request.

Staff: Publisher and Editor: John V. Terrey. Assistant Publisher: Cindie Bryan. Managing Editor: Dorothy Schecter. Advertising Manager: Cindie Bryan. Publishing & Editorial Staff: Ray Bintliff, Dave Crocker, Bobby Lyman. Founding Publisher/Editor: Gary B. Schneider. Contributing Writers & Consultants: Mike Adams, Richard L. Arnold, Richard Begbie, Ray Bintliff, Norman Braithwaite, Ray Chase, Dave Crocker, Dick Desjarlais, Alan Douglas, Richard Foster, Andrew Hayden, Jim Kreuzer, Phil MacArthur, Ron Ramirez, Gary Schneider, Daniel Schoo, Frank White, Walter Worth. CONTACTING Antique Radio Classified. All correspondence should be sent to: A.R.C., P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. Only UPS, FedEx, etc. items to street address: 498-A Cross Street. Telephone: (866) 371-0512; Fax: (978) 371-7129 E-mail: ARC@antiqueradio.com -- Web: www.antiqueradio.com The publisher is not responsible for any buying and selling transactions incurred, or for any other use of the contents of this publication. Antique Radio Classified subscription rates, frequency of publication, content, policies, size and ad details, and rates are subject to change at any time by A.R.C. Unless other arrangements are made: (1) All received materials (ads, articles, letters, correspondence, e-mail, photos, artwork, etc.) become the property of A.R.C., may be edited, combined with other material, published, and will not be returned. (2) For all received materials, A.R.C. is granted publishing and reprint rights in all forms of media including the monthly printed magazine, internet, etc. See the June 2009 issue for additional policies and advertising rates. © Copyright 2009 by John V. Terrey. If A.R.C. inadvertently has infringed on a copyright, A.R.C. will pay an appropriate usage fee when notified. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Antique Radio Classified, P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. Printed in U.S.A. Purpose. Antique Radio Classified is published for people involved in the radio collecting hobby. Its purpose is to stimulate growth of the hobby through the buying, selling and trading of radios and related items, and to provide a monthly forum for the interchange of ideas and information.