VOLUME 15            JULY 1998                NUMBER  7

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- July 1998

From Antique Radio Classified for July 1998
(Copyright 1996-8 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.

New Hobby -- New Lease on Life
Dear Editor:

Recently, my doctor advised finding an enjoyable hobby and indulging in it. He started my new "therapy" with a schedule for a coin show in Atlanta. To get started, I was told to get a coin guide book, and after getting directions to a bookstore, my whole life took on new meaning. In addition to the coin books, I picked up a book by Marty and Sue Bunis and then another by Mark Stein. Both books brought back memories of my childhood and my father's radio broadcast every week as a minister.

Out of these books, I found the ad for A.R.C. and immediately bought a subscription -- a prescription for me. I attended my first old radio show in Charlotte, N. C., met wonderful people, and purchased ten great radios. Through the classified ads I have just purchased five more great memories.

To my great doctor and A.R.C. -- thanks. You've done wonders for me.

--Stanley Bennett, Dublin, GA

Lots of Responses to 300B Article
Dear Editor:

I sure have had a lot of responses to my 300B tube article (January 1998). I have sent copies of my schematic all over the U. S. and to other countries. People do read A.R.C. -- and not just for the ads.

--Howard Stone, Fort Worth, TX

More on EKKO Stamps
Dear Editor:

I really enjoyed the article on the EKKO stamps in the June 1997 A.R.C. As late as 1970 KFI in Los Angeles was also issuing a QSL stamp similar to the EKKO stamps. I have a verification letter from them dated 1/20/70 that has a KFI verification stamp attached to it.

--Patrick M. Griffith, Federal Heights, CO

In the Marketplace

Marconi Tower Dedication in N.Y.
On October 9, 1998, the Marconi Tower in Binghamton, N. Y., will be dedicated as an historical marker, in conjunction with the celebration of the150th anniversary of the first train to the town. The nearly 100-foot tall tower is one of three built by Marconi in 1913 to test the possibility of transmitting telegraphic signals to moving trains along the Lackawanna Railroad system in the Northeast. The other two towers were in Scranton, Pa., and Hoboken, N. J. The three testify to Marconi's desire to use radio for land, as well as water, vehicles.

On November 27, 1913, the first "official" wireless message was transmitted from Scranton to the train travelling to Binghamton at 60 miles per hour. The train operator picked up 350 words of this historic transmission.

The event is sponsored by Scott's Radio & TV Co., 368 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY 13905. (607) 797-0066.

On British 1L6 Substitutes
Dear Editor:

I read with interest the articles in A.R.C. regarding substitutes for the 1L6 tube. Another substitute -- the European DK92 -- is described in the British Vintage Wireless Society Bulletin, Volume 22, Issue 4. This in-depth article covers research into alternatives and the modifications required to make the set function correctly.

For more information on the BVWS, contact Pam Zimmer, BVWS Membership Secretary, 17 Newhache Dormansland, Surrey RH7 6PX, England.

--Mike Izycky, Market Deeping, England

The "BVWS Bulletin" does indeed provide a wealth of information on European substitutes for the Type 1L6 tube. However, availability of the DK92 family of tubes may be a problem for American collectors, and the use of the DK92 and similar types requires modification of the Trans-Oceanic's circuitry depending on the particular Trans-Oceanic model involved. For example, a capacitor and resistor must be added to reduce the plate voltage on the DK92. Also, changes in some capacitor values are required to maintain frequency calibration and oscillator circuit performance. (Editor)

A.R.C.'s Old Ads Never Die
Dear Editor:

I have been advertising with you for a number of years. Previously, I had advertised in publications of other hobby fields, such as old coins and cars. A.R.C. is nothing but the best. For example, yesterday I received a response to an ad that I had run in July of 1992 -- six years ago!

Keep up the good work!

--Ed Bell, Raleigh, NC

In the Marketplace

Marconi London Tour and Book
Enrico Tedeschi, radio historian, writer, and collector offers an historical guided tour called "Guglielmo Marconi in London." The tour is by foot and Underground to places that made wireless telegraphy and radio possible. Included are the house and hotel where Marconi lived, the places of his early experiments and demonstrations, his first official broadcasting place in London, the beginning of the BBC, and the office he rented.

The tour takes about three hours on Saturday mornings. There is a limit of 15 persons per tour. For more information, visit Enrico's web site at www.Brighton-UK.com or write Enrico Tedeschi, 54 Easthill Dr., Brighton, BN41 2FD, East Sussex, UK.

If you are unable to fit the tour into your schedule, Enrico offers the 40-page illustrated guidebook to help you to do it on your own. To purchase the book, send a Postal Order (made out to Enrico Tedeschi), stamps or cash for #6 (#7 overseas) to the above address.

Enrico urges you to come to London and "take some radio memories home with you."

Forget/Embrace The Internet
Whichever side you are on, I hope that all A.R.C. readers will peruse this admittedly lengthy discussion of the Internet debate. The writers share with us some very well thought-out points. (Editor)

Dear Editor:

To E.E. Lohn who "can't imagine curling up in my easy chair for an evening with the new A.R.C. via a computer!"-- Amen #1!

To Sam Hevener who says, "Keep the 'For sale' ads off the Internet" -- Amen #2! I don't own a computer and don't want one!

--Robert Wheaton, San Antonio, TX

Fairness via the Mouse
Dear Editor:

I read with some amusement the comments concerning the evils of placing A.R.C. on the Internet. As far as I am concerned, it is largely irrelevant whether or not A.R.C. posts classified ads on the Internet. The Internet currently provides me with immediate access to hundreds, if not thousands, of antique radio buying opportunities. Of the amount I've spent on this hobby so far in 1998, 70 percent has been through Internet purchases, 20 percent at the only radio meet I could attend so far this year, and 10 percent through A.R.C. classified ads.

While I consider A.R.C. to be "home base" for radio collectors, that opinion is primarily based on its excellent feature articles, coverage of hobby-related events and auction summaries. A good example of A.R.C. leadership was the unparalleled coverage of the proposed sale of the Marconi collection and the Henry Ford Museum auction.

At the core of many anti-Internet letters seems to be just a bit of class envy. My wife and I work long hours in our careers and are compensated appropriately. Our job responsibilities make it impossible for us to be in Elgin, Lansing or at virtually any other event.

[Another subject worthy of debate concerns major meet activities scheduled during the work week. Editor]

I am not among the "rich and powerful." I am just a hard-working upper management person who has risen from the ranks of the assembly line. I might be out on the road for days while A.R.C. sits in my post office box. On the other hand, while on the road, it's kind of nice to go back to the hotel, fire up the lap top and take a look via the Internet at what's available in antique radios. As far as professional dealers on the Internet are concerned, God bless them. I can't search antique malls, go to estate sales, or attend a lot of swap meets and flea markets. I am willing to pay a premium for the professionals to go out and do the looking for me. It's very convenient to go out on the Internet, find a radio, cut a deal, and then simply wait for the package to arrive.

[Of course, A.R.C. works, too. Editor]

Since my wife and I started collecting in 1993 and can't attend a lot of meets, we don't have a network of acquaintances in the hobby. But, we are amazed at the obviously prearranged deals between old buddies that have occurred prior to the starting time at some of the meets we do attend. We don't complain about those situations. It's just good to know we have resources on the Internet and through professional dealers to obtain some of the radios we want for our collection.

Some additional comments about other aspects of the Internet debate: There is no way to ensure that everyone has equal access to an item. As far as items in A.R.C. are concerned, the mail can be slow, people may travel and miss receiving A.R.C. for several days, and not choosing first class postage can be a problem.

The Internet ads really don't have a schedule -- they are posted continually. A wide variety of buyers and sellers compete in an ever-changing marketplace. Internet auctions are even better where I know I have a window of opportunity lasting anywhere from three to seven days during which I can bid on an item. So, if the mailman is a little late, if I'm out of town, or if I don't dial fast enough, I still have a chance at the item.

Sometimes the auction prices are higher than what I've paid through other means, sometimes lower. The auction allows the marketplace to determine the price of an item. A click of the mouse gives me all the fairness required. There are good deals out there on the Internet.

A.R.C. is a good publication. It serves as the voice of our hobby. I'm sure the A.R.C. staff has already given a great deal of thought as to how the magazine could increase its Internet presence. The A.R.C. Internet site can be expanded to provide the best antique radio marketplace on the Internet -- classifieds, auctions, you name it. Surely the A.R.C. management can come up with a plan for the expanded web site to support itself.

In conclusion, I realize many people still don't have access to the Internet. However, that group is getting smaller all the time. The cost of a home computer is decreasing, new Internet access methods such as WebTV are here, and some public libraries provide access to the Internet. New technology creates new opportunities. Those of you sitting in an easy chair and cursing the new technology are missing out on a lot of fun and opportunities. Besides, the world of Internet trading continues to grow, with or without your approval and participation.

--Tom Neely, Cumming, GA

Choice of Access, Please
Dear Editor:

Antique Radio Classified, I love you! I want to have you around forever.

I'm worried, though, that your position as the premiere advertising medium for antique radios will be jeopardized by changing technology. This does not have to happen. You need to embrace the new technology of distributing information in order to assure your place in the future. This means making your ads available to your subscribers over the Internet.

Yes, I enjoy browsing through each edition when it arrives. I'd enjoy being able to search the ads electronically, too. I like keeping tabs on the prices that various pieces of equipment are bringing, even if I'm not buying or selling at the time. There's nothing like having searchable text in a computer for this purpose. Those who haven't tried it don't know what they are missing.

I'm sorry to see all of the controversy over this subject. There must be a way to make everyone happy. You presently go to a great deal of trouble mailing on different dates to try to treat the subscribers who receive A.R.C. by first class mail equitably. Why don't you just wait a couple of days after the last expected delivery date each month and then post the ads in some format for those with subscriptions who want to get it that way also? Alternately, you could place a different code on each month's printed edition that would be necessary to access the ads -- subscribers couldn't access the ads until they receive their print copy each month.

Please, let's find a way to make Antique Radio Classified available to everyone using his or her preferred technology.

--Ronald D. Rackley, Sarasota, FL