REO54 - digital is great for lightweight and ease of use, but nothing beats "hollow state" technology for ease of repair, maintenance, and quality of the sound, IMHO. Try soldering anything on surface mount technology and see - I know, I had to do it a bit in my last job. When you have to look through a microscope with a hot soldering NEEDLE and install or remove components that your eye can't even see to make your radio work, I don't consider that to be part of the enjoyment of the ham radio hobby at all. The last sentence was NOT exaggerated.
Old boat anchor gear also has most of its parts still made today, or at least available in used or NOS form, and what isn't can mostly be fabricated by the user. Funny thing is, a lot of those 50-60 year old rigs you threw away back then can probably be hauled out of the landfill and rebuilt to working order. Don't laugh, I've seen basket cases that look like an elephant took a crap on it 40 years back get restored to brand new shape and quality.
Break a new Kenwood, Yaesu, ICOM, or other newer solid-state surface mount rig, more than 3 years out of purchase date, and the manufacturer won't service it, they will just say "buy a new radio".
But nice collection.
Sunny beach!!!!!!!!
