Crest Radio Museum... for real...

[kf0rt]

You need to set up an Amateur Radio Museum non-profit corporation and sell shares to members to raise the money for the museum and operating costs. (Maybe located off shore at Terra Del Fuego)

Also, consider renting out insured museum objects for members to drool over and operate, kind of like a lending library of equipment instead of just books.

He could start a Boat Anchor Rental Facility?

[NA4BH]

(Maybe located off shore at Terra Del Fuego)

Or Duluth

[KJ3N]

He could start a Boat Anchor Rental Facility?

BARF? ;)

[kf0rt]

Give me a modern 12VDC rig any day. The only tube gear I care to own are amps.

Y'know... As much as I really appreciate the the old glowing stuff (and those who collect it), I had a somewhat recent affair with a Drake 4C line (oh, the romance of yesteryear!) and came to the same conclusion. It's just hard to beat a rig that goes everywhere instantly and is already tuned when it gets there.

[N8YX]

In terms of overall performance in high static or high RF fields it's darned hard to beat certain Collins, Drake or Racal equipment - or its more obvious clones. But that's where the attraction stops - if one is into rapid QSY or using modes which demand a stable tuning reference.

For the guy whose only activity is the daily 40M SSB traffic net check-in, a KWM-2 is a fine set. For those doing anything else in hamdom, it flatly sucks.

[kf0rt]

In terms of overall performance in high static or high RF fields it's darned hard to beat certain Collins, Drake or Racal equipment - or its more obvious clones. But that's where the attraction stops - if one is into rapid QSY or using modes which demand a stable tuning reference.

For the guy whose only activity is the daily 40M SSB traffic net check-in, a KWM-2 is a fine set. For those doing anything else in hamdom, it flatly sucks.

Don't get me wrong -- I love the old stuff. Appreciate it even, and understand the allure of the glow. The restoration stuff is great even. Operationally... got back into this a bit in 2004 with a TS-570SG and a bit later, an IC-7000. HAD to have a Drake line. The 4B's and S-lines were the currency of a REAL station in the mid-70's. Loved 'em then. Operated a lot of Drake stuff in contests and really loved it. What I found upon obtaining a 4C line (2006?) is that it's exactly like it used to be. Great stuff, but for the "occasional" op like me, it's a lot of work compared to the modern solid state stuff. Smaller shacks and all that...

Oh, and you've earned your Extra, Fred. I just took a test. ;) I think the guys who have a passion for the old stuff are amazing. You guys know your schidt and I'm often in awe.

[NQ6U]

I like the old stuff—I've (mostly) restored a set of Drake A-Series twins and love playing with them—but my IC-736 is the rig I turn to for any real operating.

[KC2UGV]

I like the look and feel of older gear; but my goal for a matching transmitter/receiver pair is to have it on a shelf for looks, mainly.

[W3WN]

Well, I miss my HT-37 / SB-301 / HT-41 combo, later a SX-111 instead of the '301. Odds are fairly good that I'll never see a working setup like those again, not unless a goodly number of shekels fall into my hands.

And I really am looking forward, for nostalgia's sake, in getting that Swan 3Drifty on the air again.

Would I turn down an S-Line, or a KWM-2A, or a Drake C-Line (with Sherwood filters & mods) if offered to me? Hell no.

But for day-to-day operation, let along serious contesting (yeah, I know Burt, you don't have to say it) or DX'ing... if you think I'm giving up my Omni VI+, or my backup Corsair II, you're nuttier that Jim thinks Pat is.

Still, I appreciate the older gear, and it is a shame that a collection like Pat's is stacked up and pretty much unavailable for those who do appreciate the nostalgia, and the state-of-the-art in it's day.

So, for those who don't care... no problem, no offense taken. I'm simply looking for a positive spin. While Pat is still with us to enjoy the appreciation from those who do.

[kf0rt]

I'd (seriously) play with the Drake stuff more, but have too many other things going on (that's rationalization, not justification). The guys who are good at this stuff manage their time a lot better than moi and I love reading about it vicariously.

Neat Ham Radio Shit is in my top three for retirement. Playing Bass is in the top five now -- am I screwed yet?