VOLUME 19            JUNE 2002                NUMBER  6

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- JUNE 2002

From Antique Radio Classified for June 2002
(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.

Tab Problem
Dear Editor:

Thanks for the replacement copy. Here's the problem I have: When I try to remove the plastic tabs from the magazine, the residue from the glue will become dirty with very little handling. Please reconsider this method of mailing and thanks.

--Brett Saylor, State College, PA

Dear Editor:

Could you please tell me why you have to put the clear plastic tabs on the books? They are a pain. All they do is rip my copy every time I try to remove them. Not a good idea! Thanks.

--Tom Pamula, Erie, PA

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't! Over the years, readers have suggested we "tab" the magazines to avoid the problem of letter carriers reading them and delaying delivery. Tabbing does keep the magazine closed during the handling by the postal service and thus also reduces damage. For a short time we polybagged copies and had similar complaints from readers. However, the postal service now requires tabbing, and so, as the saying goes, "Write your Congressman!" On the other hand, copies sent by First Class Mail have the tab on the wrap, so that after the wrap has been removed, the magazine is clean. (Editor)

UK Morse Signaling Closure
Dear Editor:

Your readers may be interested in a video, titled QRT500, celebrating the 1997 closure of Morse signalling on 550 Kc from UK coast stations. A spoken introduction by a senior radio operator covers the history of the service, and the official transcript from the Titanic distress signals is shown courtesy of the National Record Office.

The remainder of the video has a Morse soundtrack, including the actual closing down sequence with support messages coming in from around the world. Full details of the video and how to order it may be found on our Web site at www.discoveryfilms.co.uk.

--Terry Rutter, Solihull, England

The Fun of the Hunt
Dear Editor:

Although I thoroughly enjoy your publication and look forward to seeing it each month, it has been rather "thin" recently. I guess computers and eBay are taking their toll on the advertising - too bad, as half the fun is in the hunt, and I have met some really nice people over the years responding to these ads.

--William Devlin, Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY

The competition is keen, but we do our best to keep your kind o "fun" - not possible on eBay - going. (Editor)

More on Navy-Type Loose Couplers
Dear Editor:

Ray Bintliff disusses several Navy-type loose couplers in the May 2001 A.R.C. [as a follow up on Wally Worth's article in the August 2000 issue]. The one supplied by Jim Sargent was manufactured by the Menominee Electrical Manufacturing Company, and the other (Wally's set), of similar design, has no identifying label.

Almost surely Wally's set is not a Menominee because of the profound differences noted. Many companies made similar "Navy" models (e.g., Duck Model 5A, Wireless Specialty Apparatus, Halcun, Eico, Wireless Shop). I don't know if other companies, such as Murdock and Signal, might have made this style of Navy receiver, but there are probably more.

The physical arrangement of parts and general construction are almost identical on Menominee, the Duck 5A, the Eico, and the Wireless Shop (not small manufacturers). I would speculate that their similarity in appearance is the result of having been manufactured to Navy specifications, rather than companies copying each other's designs.

Navy specifications required that there be no sliders of any kind; thus, the rotary switches. The switches were needed to control the coil winding in steps of ten turns, and in individual turns. The set needed to tune a wide band of short and long waves, and all controls were to be easily available to the operator. Navy models also always seem to have a front panel and a cover over the coil, which suggests these features may also have been included in the Navy's specifications.

Sets with a front panel and coil cover and no sliders, regardless of placement of binding posts and arrangement of secondary switches and with nonconcentric primary switches, were sometimes referred to as "Navy" models when advertised for sale to the general public.

--Walt Sanders, Terre Haute, IN

A.R.C. Ads Really Work
Dear Editor:

Enclosed is a check for renewal of my subscription to A.R.C. Your ads really work. Keep up the good work!

--Florian Rogowski, Warren, MI

Good Luck With Ads
Dear Editor:

I have been collecting radios since 1948, and I have had good luck with A.R.C. ads. Thanks.

--Frank Vaillancourt, Woodstock, VT

Welcome Kudos
Dear Editor:

Hello A.R.C. I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed Dorothy's article on the Radio XXXIII meet in Westford, Mass., in the April A.R.C.

--Charles Harper, Paris, KY