VOLUME 20            MARCH 2003                NUMBER  3

RADIO MISCELLANEA -- MARCH 2003

From Antique Radio Classified for March 2003
(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.

Another Repairman's Vignette

Dear Editor:

The story by Alton DuBois in the February 2003 A.R.C. reminded me of a similar occurrence that I had in 1944 or '45. I worked at a radio repair shop, and this day my boss had to leave for a while and left me in charge. As I was the only employee, that meant I had to wait on customers instead of doing my repair work. A young girl came in and held up a Type 80 tube and said, "My daddy wants a tube like this." I sold her the tube and she left.

Sometime later, this fellow came in and held up the same tube the youngster had showed me earlier and said, "You sold my daughter the wrong tube!"

I explained to him that the tube he had was not the tube she had purchased and that he should return the new tube, and I would refund his money. At that point he became very angry, went out the door, and slammed the tube on the sidewalk. A customer in the store at the time opened the door and told the fellow, "Hey buddie, they have a lot more tubes in here to sell if you want to have some more fun."

The irate customer did not return. I was concerned that he might scold his daughter, but had no way to know.

--Harley Ryan, Columbus, OH

Perhaps each generation really doesn't become more rude than the last. (Editor)

Kudos for A.R.C.

Dear Editor:

Just a note to say that my last wanted ad for a Hallicrafter speaker paid off. Thanks.

--Joe E. Whisnant, Maryville, TN

Dear Editor:

Thank you for an excellent magazine and all the hard work that you folks put into it. You are really appreciated.

--Barry F. Falcon, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Our thanks in return for your support. (Editor)

Dear Editor:

Keep up the good work. I use the computer, go to auctions and Hamfests, but it is still great to get yur publication every month in the mail.

--Jon B. Jansma, Pepper Pike, OH

Dear Editor,

Thanks for putting my ad on the "Net." I received an order.

--James Wright, Maynard, AR

Actually, A.R.C. places all classified ads on our Web site at www.antiqueradio.com. Although only subscribers may view the current issue's ads, all ads are released to nonsubscribers after the first month. Just a reminder - every subscriber is entitled to a free 20-word ad each month.(Editor)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
March seemed the appropriate month to print Donald Ignatius' St. Patrick's Day postcard. Don purchased several cards just about the time Steve Ayer's article on postcards appeared in A.R.C. (Editor)

Tabs Again - No Fuss, No Mess

Dear Editor:

Why are subscribers making a Federal case of the tab seals? Simply slide a scissors blade between the pages and cut the tabs apart. Using the same scissors, trim the tabs flush with the covers. No fuss, no mess. Case closed.

--Allen Jochem, Quincy, IL

1903 Marconi Folklore

Dear Editor:

The recent centennial celebration of Marconi's 1903 message from Wellfleet, Mass., to England (as I reported in this issue) reminded me of a bit of Cape Cod folklore. The story goes that Maconi hired the services of old Charlie Paine to deliver the return wireless message from King Edward VII of England to President Theodore Roosevelt. It was to be delivered to the nearest telegraph station as quickly as possible by horseback.

Stressing the importance of the message, Marconi told Charlie to ride as fast as his horse could go, even though the speed might kill the horse. As soon as Charlie was out of sight, he walked his horse, muttering that he wasn't about to kill his old friend Dynamite, not even for the President. Charlie also took time to sit down to eat his lunch. Such things would have to wait.

--Dave Crocker, Maspee, MA

New Club Members via A.R.C.

Dear Editor:

Thanks for your support of our club, the Texas Antique Radio Club. A.R.C. is responsible for much of our success in gaining new members. For example, at our November 2002 meeting, we picked up a new member who had seen the announcement in A.R.C.

--Ed Engelken, Canyon Lake, TX