VOLUME 17            JUNE 2000                NUMBER  6

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- JUNE 2000

From Antique Radio Classified for June 2000
(Copyright 1996-2000 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.

Birth Announcement Prophecy

Dear Editor:

I thought that my 1934 birth announcement might be of interest. My parents must have been prophetic since I have spent my life in electronics -- radio/TV servicing in the late 1950s and the next 35 years as an Electrical Project Engineer doing industrial and electric utility control systems. Since retiring, I have been collecting old radios, several of which I obtained through ads in A.R.C. I eagerly look forward to seeing it every month.

--Richard Gleitz, York, PA

A.R.C. -- Keep It Coming!
Dear Editor:

Enclosed is a check to renew my subscription. Please keep it coming because I enjoy it a lot!

Your magazine introduces me not only to great articles that are informative, but also to many fine collectors who give good advice about the products I want. They are also honest about what they sell.

Again, thank you for such a fine magazine.

--Paul Gannello, Oak Park, IL

My Revere 400 Is Stuck
Dear Editor:

I have a question about the Revere 400 portable radio that I hope someone can answer. How does one remove the chassis from this radio's leather, camera-like case for service or repair?

--Melvin R. George, San Jose, CA

More RCA TV Land Memories
Dear Editor:

It was with great interest that I read a reprint of Ray Bintliff's article on his experiences as an RCA engineer in the early days of television (A.R.C., June 1999) in the RCA retirement newsletter. I was employed by RCA in February 1947, and I remember Ray -- his neat appearance, suit, tie, topcoat, briefcase, glasses -- though I did not know him personally. I felt he was the only person capable of doing field service work. This picture remained with me all these years.

My partner and I went out on antenna installs, and before we were given a truck, we traveled around the east side of Manhattan by trolley car. We carried 6-foot masts, tools, cable, and a drill.

I also remember the blizzard of 1947 when we were not able to move the trucks for three days. The only service calls we could make were those reachable on foot.

This article brought back many pleasant memories.

--Hank Eisemann, Middle Village, NY

It's good to know that A.R.C. article reprints (granted with our permission) evoke responses from an even wider audience. (Editor)

"Carpinchoe" Defined
Dear Editor:

Your correspondent Ted Rogers (May 2000 Miscellanea) asked about the word "Carpinchoe," a material he said that Stromberg-Carlson used to support the edge of loud speaker cones. The Oxford English Dictionary contains the following entries: "A local name in South America for the capybara. These great rodents are generally called 'carpinchos.' ...When alarmed, the carpincho utters a kind of grunting cry. ...It is 4 feet long and weighs about 98 pounds -- the largest extant rodent quadruped, nearly allied to the guinea pig. ... Lives about the rivers of tropical South America. ...Some naturalists call it the 'water-hog.'...Food consists exclusively of grass and vegetables." So the carpincho is a capybara, the world's largest rodent. Interestingly, the Catholic Church defined the capybara as a fish, so it could be eaten on Fridays.

I guess Stromberg-Carlson could charge more for carpinchoe leather than for rat leather!

--Harold Kirkham, Pasadena, CA

Dear Editor:

Responding to Ted Rogers' inquiry regarding the carpinchoe (also carpincho), I found that it is fine, soft grained leather similar to pigskin. It is from the hide of the capybara, an edible South American rodent, resembling a guinea pig. This is the largest rodent in existence, reaching four feet in length. (Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged)

--G.M. Crabtree, Lewisburg, PA

Stump your radio friends with "carpinchoe!" (Editor)