VOLUME 21               NOVEMBER 2004                NUMBER  11

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for November 2004
(Copyright 1996-2004 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

Times haven't really changed -- at least regarding interest in radio meets among collectors. In fact, we are devoting this issue to reports on four meets across the country because they continue to generate excitement about our hobby and to tell us much about its current state.

Over 650 attended the annual Antique Wireless Association Conference, and auction results were over $37,000. Given the dire weather report, these numbers are not to be sneezed at. They indicate that no matter what effects the weather or eBay may have, people still want to get out there and communicate on a one-on-one basis.

A well-planned meet is a most satisfying affair, and all four of the meets covered this month fit into that category. For example, the Antique Radio Club of Illinois' Radiofest seems to find new ways to improve every year. Preregistration packets and monitored parking spaces made registration much easier than in previous years. Aided by the luck of glorious weather, and with a good contest and presentations, as well as an auction totalling almost $7,000, Radiofest deserves kudos all 'round.

And though, as with AWA, the weather was not cooperative, the Mid-Atlantic Radio Club's RadioActivity did as well as possible, and its two auctions totalled almost $20,000. This club is noted for its good programs, interesting seminars, and member-friendly policy on auction commissions -- a $25 maximum regardless of sale price. The result is good attendance year after year.

The Military Radio Collectors Group (MRCG) meet in California occupies a unique place among meets. Though a swap meet and presentations are part of this 2-day event, the focus is on hands-on activities. Participants set up their vintage equipment and communicate directly with each other. This club takes interaction of attendees to a different level and it's always a pleasure to read about their success.

A.R.C Benefits. With holidays closer than you may want to realize, it's time for you to take advantage of A.R.C. benefits and order a subscription and/or books for a fellow collector on your list. Here they are: a toll-free number, (866) 371-0512; Discover, Visa, American Express, and MasterCard accepted; books shipped free in the U. S. by book rate; and for current subscribers, a ten percent discount on all book orders.

Coming Radio Events. Thirty meets and six swap meets are among this month's activities. Included in the three auctions is the VRPS Convention celebrating the 30th anniversary of the club.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

OOPS!

Thanks to subscriber Robert Diegoli, we have learned about an error in identifying the Air King in the Sotheby's Auction and on the cover of the September issue. Sotheby's identified the set as a Model 52; however, it is a Model 66, from 1935, with globes pictured on the front, unlike the Model 52 with Egyptian figures.

ON THE COVER

Our cover photo by John V. Terrey picks up on the Broadcast theme at the AWA Conference. Bob Paquette's microphone display included, clockwise, upper left, an RCA 3-A condenser microphone; a WE 370W microphone on a D-80513 preamp case; and a WE double-button, carbon microphone in a 1A housing.