John AE5X writes:
I also agree with the "if it hasn't been used in 5 years" rule.
For some of us, 5 year old excess parts are darn near brand new. Should be expanded as follows:
Class A - the five year rule
Class B - hasn't been used since Y2K
Class C - hasn't been used (or even made) since the Nixon administration
For clarity, my Class C boxes contains knife switches, mercury vapor rectifiers, bakelite terminal strips, nixie tubes, and IF cans the size of a salt shaker.
Seriously, a cheap way to exchange or trade parts is a good idea. Few of us are probably concerned about recovering any investment - just want to see things put to use. Maybe a future activity for a hamfest or QRP gathering. Set out your goodies. "I'll trade you a couple of BNC connectors for that NE602 and MV209 tuning diode." I suppose an online group could do the same.
Wonder if any of those old nixie tubes are still good? Hmmm...
72, Paul NA5N
