From: pfjw@aol.com   
      
   On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 8:06:39 AM UTC-5, Patrick Turner wrote:   
      
   > It sure has gone quiet for about the last 7 years, maybe it was a result of   
   two things, the GFC, and everyone getting older.   
   >    
      
   Not so much that - those few individuals who shared space here and who had   
   something to offer tend to be spending their time actually doing it, rather   
   than blathering about it. I have spend more time immersed in tube gear these   
   last 4 years than in the    
   previous 20, for what that's worth. It comes from having a much better shop,   
   more space, a very understanding and tolerant wife, and having reached   
   critical mass - the hobby is now self-supporting such that I can sell off   
   those things that have ceased to    
   hold my attention and purchase those 'new' things that are catching without   
   expending any 'new' money. And as we live in the former nexus of tubes   
   (Atwater Kent, Sylvania,Victor, RCA, Philco, Muntz, Cunningham, Dynaco,   
   Hafler, Acrosound, Theil, Bendix,    
   Westinghouse, and many more), there is still a LOT of stuff hiding in   
   warehouses, garages, attics and more, that acquisition opportunities are many   
   - if one is so-minded.    
      
   You would be shocked at what a young Chinese person will pay for an   
   indifferent piece of American gear, as long as it is cosmetically intact. I   
   have no guilt whatsoever sending stuff to China - our cash comes back, and   
   they are forever reminded of what    
   they cannot achieve on their own.    
      
   As to AM, I have a little AM transmitter that will deliver a full 20-20K   
   spectrum if running uncompressed, at about 100 mw (Part 15 legal). My 1930s   
   Zenith Shutterdial sounds quite amazing. The transmitter is an SSTRAN AMT3000   
   - a kit-built unit, the    
   kits made about 4 miles from where I live by a retired computer designer. Tiny   
   little thing as well. But a very clean signal.    
      
   In any case, I am not far behind you in years - and I have, so far, one   
   artificial joint (hip). That replacement, just this last June, has added at   
   least 10 years to my life in mobility alone.    
      
   Take care!   
      
   Peter Wieck   
   Melrose Park, PA   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)