[BC] What brought me into radio

[Rob Atkinson]

Any of y'all who have memories of NYC Radio Row I'd sure appreciate
reading them if you wish to share.

>Some years later, at some forgotten radio station, someone let me push "the button" !...Contactors go BANG ! ... That friendly yellow orange glow emanates from behind those moments before very dark glass panels in the front doors...

This is exactly why young men and women when being introduced to ham
radio, need to see what many term a "vintage station."  Why?  Because
new radio gear is boring.  Old rigs have relays, filaments, gas
rectifiers, high voltage, blowers, swinging meters...they make noise,
lights, give off heat, they look like they're doing something and seem
dangerous (because they are) and therefore are Exciting.  But more
important, the physics of electronics is in evidence.  What you are
taught you can see and hear (maybe smell) first hand.  The new stuff
doesn't have any of this.  Sure it is very important economically and
I'd be all solid state, a no brainer, in a commercial station.  But
for getting folks into the soul of radio for the love of it, the
vacuum tube analog gear is mandatory.

Rob Atkinson