VOLUME 20            MAY 2003                NUMBER  5

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- MAY 2003

From Antique Radio Classified for May 2003
(Copyright 1996-2002 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

"Antique Radio Classified" invites its readers to contribute letters and information for inclusion in "Radio Miscellanea" and elsewhere in the magazine. "In The Marketplace" is based on information submitted by the businesses themselves. All topics should be of general interest and sent to A.R.C., P.O. Box 2, Carlisle, MA 01741. All material submitted should be verified for accuracy and may be edited for publication, which is not guaranteed. See the masthead for more details.

Disgruntled Subscribers
Dear Editor:

I've been with A.R.C. almost from the start, but if you cannot control the costs and keep it down, I'm going to be forced to drop out. I've already stopped the First Class mail as a cost-cutting-measure, but now I receive A.R.C. by a 1-2 week variation. If the sub cost g give up and drop A.R.C. My limited retirement just won't go around.

Also, I have two complaints - not with A.R.C. or the staff - but with the lack of consideration shown by some advertisers. I have decided to no longer answer any "Wanted" ads.

As an example, I recently sent a couple of Polaroid photos along with the reasonable asking price of $30 to an advertiser looking for an early 1950s radio. I spent $2 and postage to Canada and did not get a reply, let alone my photos back.

I have also replied to ads that are general in nature - e.g., "Looking for 1930s wood radios. Will pay good prices" - only to find that what is wanted is a specific year model in mint condition for $25, post paid!

I know I'm not alone in these problems. The courtesy of a reply and specifics in ads would go a long way toward making collecting a pleasanter experience. Sorry to have to write this.

--Darrell Combs, Citrus Hills, CA

Dear Editor,

I recently received notice that my subscription to A.R.C. is about to expire. I would like to keep it but am quite disappointed with the readers in general. The magazine is fine, but I'm tired of spending money with no results. Each month I waste about $8 to $10 on postage. Any time I respond to an ad I always enclose extra postage for a return message. Most of the time I get no response; the people keep the postage. In addition, I have sent out about 15 requests to people who indicated they had information for a McMurdo Silver Masterpiece, also with no response.

Very truly,

--Robert De Haan, Grand Rapids, MI

Regarding cost issues, we are also very sensitive to them and must point out that, despite postal and production cost increases, the A.R.C. subscription rates and advertising rates have not increased since 1998. In fact, the periodical rate is $1 less. And, we have taken recent steps to improve the production and delivery performance.

As for lack of courtesy by some advertisers, we hope that this reminder of the inconvenience to others will encourage improved manners. (Editor)

And Some Pleased Ones
Dear Editor:

My recent ad brought several letters, phone calls, and the speaker I needed to complete the restoration of a Stromberg-Carlson radio. It pays to advertise in A.R.C.

--Ted Hannah, Silver Spring, MD

Dear Editor:

A.R.C. is my best source of current information.

--Jim Gray, Dayton, OH

Dear Editor:

Reading A.R.C. is always a pleasure. To me, the Web cannot substitute for the paper, which I can take along with me and read everywhere. The Web certainly has other merits, like quick correspondence worldwide (in minutes instead of five days one way by snail mail between Germany and the USA). I only hope that the printed A.R.C. will stay alive! Kind regards from Germany.

--Konrad Birkner, Haag, Germany

Restoration Help via A.R.C.
Dear Editor:

Last year at a barn sale I acquired an Atwater Kent console with a 55-C. The legs had broken off but were still there. I restored the chassis by replacing numerous capacitors and the interstage push-pull transformer. I put the legs back on the cabinet, but the cross pieces between the legs were missing, so I made some of my own design. I had put an ad in A.R.C. for information on the radio and received a copy of page 28 from Blast from the Past. It showed a Model 7700 in a Pooley cabinet with legs and braces almost like the ones I had designed. The book picture was a great help.

--Alton A. DuBois, Queensbury, NY

We like to think that A.R.C. readers are always helping each other out. (Editor)

Seeks Repair Info
Dear Editor:

I enjoy your magazine very much. Maybe at some time you could ask your readers or those who write articles for you to provide tips regarding AC/DC radio and transistor radio repair. I know these are not the "antiques of all antiques," but I do have a keen interest in them and possibly others do too. Please keep up the excellent work you are doing. I really appreciate it, as I'm sure all your subscribers do. Many thanks.

--Tom Karl, Brunswick, OH

A collection of repair articles is available as a package of 10 past issues for $19 from A.R.C. See page 75 for details. (Editor)