VOLUME 16            NOVEMBER 1999                NUMBER  11

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- NOVEMBER 1999

From Antique Radio Classified for November 1999
(Copyright 1996-9 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.

Book on Indiana Broadcasting
Dear Editor:

I was surprised to see an article in the Westside Flyer (July 19-25) on a book entitled In the Public Interest, published by the Indiana Historical Society. It is a compilation of oral histories by Linda Weintraut and Jane Nolan, who record the experiences and memories of 27 members of the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame. These contributors include on-air personalities, engineers, managers, and owners from different eras, backgrounds, and locales in the state.

The topics, such as broadcast ethics, the evolution of technology, government regulations, etc., should be of general interest to radio collectors. The book may be ordered from the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-3299, for $39, plus $3 shipping and handling.

--Don Traub, Indianapolis, IN

Internet Connections Helpful
Dear Editor:

Glad to see you are getting on the Internet bandwagon soon. It's no longer a question of "if" but "when." Not having Internet access today is getting to be like not having a telephone. I've been on just over a year, and it's been a revelation. I'm not a buyer or collector, but I love doing repairs and restoration and have contacted many helpful people who have helped me. And now you can get computers almost for free if you sign up for a few years with some Internet Service Provider. Amazing!

--Mike Zuccaro, San Diego, CA

New Collectors Discouraged at AWA
Dear Editor:

Please take the time to read the following short excerpt from a letter from my nephew, a beginner radio collector. Since he lives in Syracuse, New York, I encouraged him to go to the AWA meet in Rochester. He took my advice and talked some of his friends into going with him to see the neat old radios. These beginners are all young with wives and babies, and I doubt that any of them had much to spend. But, they hoped to find a nice Bakelite or cathedral that needed work.

The ridiculous requirement to pay $39 just to look and buy discouraged these would-be collectors. Vendors should pay, not buyers.

--Kris L. Gimmy, Aiken, SC

"I was able to make it to the AWA meet this year... This meet was different. I had to pay a membership fee and a conference fee just to go to the swap meet! My friends who wanted to look and buy a radio were not about to pay the $39..."

--Gregory S. Hase, Syracuse, NY

This issue is discussed in our report on the 1999 AWA Conference. We hope that the problem can be resolved before next year's event. (Editor)

Kirby Saga Update

The latest on the Mike Kirby saga (see the October 1999 A.R.C. for the background) was posted on the Internet by Dave Stinson. In a call to the Bay County, Florida, jail, A.R.C. confirmed that on September 30, Kirby was arraigned and was found guilty of "organized scheme to defraud." He was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison. At press time, he was in the Bay County jail awaiting transfer to the Florida state prison.

As we reported last month, the story of Kirby's illegal radio dealings began in 1989. We were amazed that not only was he still in operation in 1999, but that he had managed to be paroled on previous charges. Finally, he will serve in state prison, and let's hope we don't have to warn collectors about him again for many years to come. (Editor)

A.R.C. Ad Advantage
Dear Editor:

Your October issue shows that the ads are decreasing, as Internet offerings like eBay auctions and newsgroups take away from the items available for sale. But, the big advantage of your ads is that you aren't buying a "pig in a poke," as a friend of mine just did. He got a 6-tube radio with a defunct ballast as the sixth tube, which will cost him, unless I can obtain one via my enclosed ad.

--Stan Lopes, Concord, CA

A.R.C. More Than Just Ads
Dear Editor:

Congratulations on getting on the Internet. Access eligibility and timing of availability are good. Don't worry about losing some of the hard-nosed subscribers; they will be more than made up for. Also, A.R.C. for most of us is far more than just the ads.

--Dave Davies, Nokomis, FL

Museum Gets Challenge Grant
Dear Editor:

The Radio History Society's Radio-Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, (see A.R.C. May 1999) has received a challenge grant from Roger Nye, a longtime supporter of the Society. Mr. Nye will match all qualifying contributions between now and the end of the year, up to a maximum of $20,000. The funds will be used for both operating expenses and expansion.

The matching grant applies to all contributions with the following restrictions: 1) no in-kind contributions, only cash or checks; 2) no contributions from companies, foundations, or government agencies; 3) The first $20 for dues (minimum) will not count. All amounts in excess of $20 will qualify.

All contributions are fully tax deductible. Send checks made out to the Radio History Society, Inc., to Michael Rubin, Treasurer, 1427 Woodman Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902.