In part because of my own love of "vintage," I have taken up a hobby that connects my past, the past, and vintage technology.
I attempt to restore old tube type radios. That word attempt is key. At this point in my career, I am not always successful.
Not much in the way of equipment is necessary. A few hand tools, solder, some electronic parts, a little know-how, and a VERY sympathetic spouse is required. My garage is getting smaller due to all the vintage gear it now holds.
My hobby connects my past because in high school, I took Radio-TV repair. I wanted to be a TV man. Those were the final days before solid state televisions, and certainly big screen LED's. I enjoyed tinkering with those big metal chassis and orange glowing vacuum tubes. I really planned a career in electronics- but God had another plan for my life. That's another story.
My hobby connects the past, because I am dealing with vintage technology. Look at some old radios- wooden cabinets, metal cabinets, bakelite, and even plastic and you can see artistry, style, and taste. Somehow the electronic devices of today often look drab and similar. Each of those old radios had individual character. What's more- they were made to be fixed- unlike so much of today's electronic items which are just tossed when they cease to operate.
Vintage technology is part of the mix because vacuum tubes just sound different. Ask any guitar player today who knows his stuff, and he or she will likely tell you that they think tube amps sound so much better, warmer, and real than modern solid state stuff.
Real radios glow in the dark. That's romantic....
So imagine my thrill when I read this article recently: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/05/return-of-the-vacuum-tube.html. It reports that seemingly obsolete vacuum tube technology is finding use in space exploration.
The old is new....again.
