WARNING! Excessive levels of TEA below, the weak may wish to avert their eyes and shield their children lest the temptation lures them into a life of SERVITUDE to powers greater than them.
Day one of the Joplin hamfest, i wander in the door and at first see nothing and then, suddenly, i see it. Something to make the drive worth it, a HP 608C and so i wait around to speak the owner of the table when he gets back, a few minutes pass and then a few more. Alas there was one waiting longer than it, my heart thumped fearing the loss of such an instrument and fortunately all the guy wanted wanted was the antenna. Finally given the chance to i spoke and foolish was i, offered seventy ($70) and no sooner did i say the word than it was mine. Should of offered fifty ($50), curse my foolishness. I relocate my purchase to a more suitable location and on the way i pass a pair of computer monitors, they say make offer, so i return and i make an offer, twenty dollars ($20) and it again is accepted within the same breath with which it escaped. Alas, i seem to bleed money, to console myself i wandered a drift for a period and finding the occasional small trinket. Finally, frustrated sufficiently by it being a small day, i decide to leave and so tuck my trinkets safely away in the vehicle. Not wanting to leave so soon, and still having in my possession some of the cash i had allotted, i went for one final walk not intending to buy anything. That is until an elderly man started a conversation with me, after i shewed interest in a pair of Heathkits in his possession, conversation transcribed below,
"What was that large thing you were carrying past a while ago?"
"It was a Hewlett Packard 608C."
"Whats it do?"
"It is a very high frequency generator. I tend to collect the more interesting stuff."
"You like electronics in general then?". confirmation from me, "These two Heathkits here, i assembled them myself and though i can't bear parting with them except i know my children would pitch them soon as i was gone. Ninety six now and surely on borrowed time. One doesn't look too good and only one has it's probes, though both have manuals and both work.", one had the paint chipping off.
"Heathkit was never made to be pretty, only to work.", decently proportioned laugh, "Will you sell them as a pair for 68?", the number being the exact contents of my wallet.
"Sure, would you like a bag?"
"Might help, thank you."
then as i left, he called me a fine young man. I hadn't intended on buying both though what can you really say to that? Shame, i hope you find someone else to take them? Nay, i may be a sap though i could not turn them, or him, down at that price.
Finally, as an addendum, while not purchased at a hamfest it was purchased with hamfest funds so i'm counting it. Fluke 8200A with power cord for $150
HP 608C, wanted 100 paid 70. Wish i would have offered 50.
Heathkit IM-522 & IM-8 wanted 85 total for both meters complete with both original manuals and one set of original probes. Paid 68, could have offered less but i'm too nice.
Miscellaneous crap, two monitors a couple knobs and the rack mount thing leaning again the 608C, came to $33 I know what that thing is and, if you will, i want you to take guesses.
$301 spent and i feel SO much better, at least until the guilt sets in. But hey! Thats what food is for!
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