VOLUME 20               MARCH 2003                NUMBER  3

EDITOR'S COMMENTS

From Antique Radio Classified for March 2003
(Copyright 1996-2003 by John V. Terrey - For personal use only.)

The establishment of a new museum is reason for celebration among radio collectors. This is especially true of one with the potential of the American Museum of Radio in Bellingham, Washington, described by T.J. Granack in our lead article. Often groups have the impetus to found a museum but are unable to find a facility to house it. In this new 23,000 square foot space, John Jenkins has joined forces with Jonathan Winter, who established a smaller museum in 1985, after years of opening his collection to the public in various locales. Now the two entrepreneurs have combined their collections and have created interactive exhibits, many of which are already open to the public.

As we all know, such an enterprise is not a building alone. It requires support personnel, program continuity, constant attention to detail, and, of course, funding. We also know the kinds of difficulties that can arise, such as those we've described in past articles about the Perham Foundation's long struggle to find proper space. A new chapter, which we will cover in A.R.C., is beginning for Perham, but its history is a sobering example of what it takes to keep a collection together.

However, the American Museum seems poised to meet the challenge of a five million dollar fund-raiser to make this amazing collection accessible to the world in a permanent location. We wish them well and urge all serious collectors to support their efforts.

The American Museum joins a number of other sizable radio museums in the country. Attendance at such institutions is testimony to the fact that hands-on interest in radio and its history is unwavering.

Similarly, attendance at radio events of almost any kind remains high, such as at the recent Marconi wireless centennial celebration at Wellfleet, Mass. Dave Crocker reports that, even in the dead of this harsh New England winter, the crowds gathered on Cape Cod, along with Marconi's daughter, to commemorate his transmittal of the first complete message across the Atlantic. Even the flu bug didn't keep a radiophile like Dave away.

Speaking of the Atlantic, Bill Moore reports on his jump across the pond to the fall Harpendon, England, meet. There too he found a crowd engaged in brisk sales and in-depth conversation.

All of the above attests to a message that we get over and over -- collectors like to meet one-on-one. The recent Radio XXXIV here in Westford, Massachusetts, attracted a record number of vendors and again drew a crowd of around 800 attendees. The Internet simply can't substitute for that kind of interest, excitement, and camaraderie.

Another example of serious interaction among collectors is the Military Collectors Group, which meets every spring in California. Their primary purpose is to turn their equipment on and actually experience using it as it was once used. Hank Brown's report is illustrated with his own and Tony Lissona's very good photos.

Richard Arnold's tales of search-and-find old radios seem to indicate that he often has his own "special events." His Philco 49-503 has "special meaning to him," and isn't that the way it should be?

One of Girard Faassen's eye-catching posters appears in Photo Review, not paired with the radio as in his recent article. Other items of interest run the gamut from an early crystal set and a home-brew amplifier to a transistorized turtle. Radio Miscellanea includes a bit of cheer for the winter doldrums with some amusing anecdotes, kudos, and Irish greetings.

E-mail Issues. As we all know, e-mail affords us many advantages. If you seek information, we can answer very quickly; if we need a photo fast, we can have it digitally within an hour or two. In particular, an ad by e-mail is more apt to be error-free beause it is typed. Better legibility means a better chance of appearing correctly in the magazine.

However, as with regular mail, things do go wrong. We ask you to be aware of the following pitfalls: 1) the capacity of an e-mail box has limits. It can become filled very rapidly. 2) To use your information, we need your full name and postal address because we may have more than one person with your name. 3) E-mail too can be lost. If you get your message returned, send it again. By then, the problem will more than likely be solved. We send a confirmation for all ads. If you do not get a confirmation by the end of the next business day, contact us. 4) Include the text of your ad in the body of the e-mail, not as an attachment.

Oops. In the January 2003 Photo Review, on the upper right of page 15, the radio pictured is an Atwater Kent 184, not a Midwest console. The 1935 Atwater Kent has four tubes and originally sold for $25 new. We will picture both sets in a later issue. Thanks to owner Claude Chafin for the correction.

A.R.C. Benefits. Looking forward to spring? Take advantage of A.R.C. benefits: a toll-free number, (866) 371-0512; the Web: www.antiqueradio.com; Discover, Visa, American Express, and MasterCard; books shipped free in the U.S. by book rate; and to current subscribers, a ten percent discount on all book orders.

Coming Radio Events. Winter events for March number 38 and include the Carolina Chapter/AWA 3-day spring meet, three auctions and four swap meets. There's something for everyone, so be sure to attend at least one near you.

Happy Collecting!

John V. Terrey, Editor

ON THE COVER

Pictured on the cover is Architect David King's drawing of the American Museum of Radio, the subject of our lead article. The new museum is under development in Bellingham, Washington, through a joint effort of Jonathan Winter and John Jenkins. The focus of this museum is on a hands-on experience for the visitor.