Tag Archives: Scott Gamble (W5BSG)

Joseph Hovsepian: Montreal’s “Radio Doctor”

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Scott Gamble and Bill Mead who both share the following story via the CBC News:

Joseph Hovsepian says he is part of the last generation that knows how to repair electronics

Joseph Hovsepian has been repairing? radios for so long that he claims that he can sometimes smell the problem.

“When I pick up a radio, I turn it on or I plug it in and the way it smells, the way it sounds or doesn’t sound, the way it crackles and fades away, all these things are recorded in my brain and I know exactly how to start and how to fix it,” he said.

Since 1960, Hovsepian has been fixing radios, turntables and other electronic gadgets from his Parc Ave. repair shop.

The 79-year-old sees himself as part of the last generation of people trained in the art of repair.

“We have lost the ability to touch things, fix things, repair them and feel good for doing it,” he said.

For almost his entire life, Hovsepian has been tinkering with radios. He built a crystal radio when he was 12, and his first tube radio at 15.

[…]He believes that today’s electronics lack the warmth that the old radios offered. Hovsepian said smartphones look dead to him compared to old technology.

“Even the sound of the old radios, a little scratch here, a little scratch there…This is radio.”[…]

Click here to read the full article at CBC News.

This is a charming story and I think Post readers can certainly understand why radio seems to be in a class of its own. I feel very fortunate that I’m friends with two people who repair radios for others, my buddy Charlie (W4MEC) and Vlado (N3CZ). Both are kind enough to show me the ropes as they troubleshoot problem sets.

Post readers: Do you live somewhere with a radio repair shop? Have any readers ever visited Mr. Hovsepian’s shop in Mile End? Please comment!

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JRC announces end of factory repairs for NRD-545 series

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Scott Gamble (W5BSG), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

I read this on one of the Japanese blogs I follow. It is a company release from JRC announcing the end of factory repairs for the NRD-545 series receivers on December 15, 2017. The announcement is in Japanese, so you need to use your favorite translation engine to read it, but apparently this was originally announced April 9, 2012! That’s quite a notice period.

Here is a link to the announcement. If anyone wants to take advantage of factory repairs the window is closing soon, especially considering shipment to Japan.

http://www.jrc.co.jp/jp/about/news/2017/1106-1.html

Cheers!

Thanks, Scott! There are a lot of NRD-545 owners out there. The good news is that there are many other repair services that can still work on the 545 (and other JRC models). Indeed, I’m sure my buddy, Vlado, has worked on the 545. Of course, the problem with radios like the 545, which are no longer in production, is that some parts are no longer produced and have no replacements on the market. As long as your repair doesn’t require a discontinued part, you’ll be in good shape!

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Radio Deal: Grundig Executive Traveler at Woot and Amazon

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Scott Gamble, who writes:

I noticed a special today on the Eton Grundig Executive Traveler – it is on sale (only) via the Woot.com app (not online) for $44.99 [plus shipping]. A quick search of the site shows this is one of the lowest prices I have seen for the radio. It has previously been around $47, or two for $94 at Woot.

Here’s the product link.

Thanks for the tip, Scott! Woot is a great place for one day deals–I’ve purchased from them many times in the past few years.

I also noted that the price has dropped on Amazon down to $47.97 shipped. As with any price on Amazon, it’s subject to change without notice!

Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).

 

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Breaking: 2017 Dayton Hamvention to be held at the Greene County Fairgrounds

Dayton Hamvention logo_2

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Scott Gamble (W5BSG), who writes:

I just saw this local news post about the venue for Hamvention 2017.

(Source: WDTN)

Image: Chris Smith / WDTN Photo

Image: Chris Smith / WDTN Photo

XENIA, Ohio (WDTN) – Days after Hara Arena announced it will close its doors, an announcement from Greene County officials revealed that Hamvention will be held at the Greene County Fairgrounds next year, according to our partners at the Xenia Gazette.

The event for ham-radio enthusiasts generated about $21 million last year and drew a crowd of more than 27,000 for Montgomery County. The proceeds for this year’s event will now go to Greene County.

[Continue reading at WDTN...]

And here is a link to the fairgrounds site for information about the location.

http://www.greenecountyfairgrounds.com/

Many thanks for the tip, Scott!

I just did a quick distance calculation on Google Maps and determined that the distance between HARA Arena and the new location is only about 35 minutes.

HARA-Arena-To-Greene-County-Fairgrounds

For some of us who regularly stay on the east side of Dayton, our commute may be even be a little shorter.

At first glance–and since I’ve never been to this facility, I can’t speak with any certainty–it looks like there’s very little in terms of indoor exhibitor area. I’ve pasted a screen grab from the Fairgrounds website showing a list of their buildings and dimensions:
Greene-County-Fairgrounds

I had done a little research the other day and came to the conclusion that Montgomery County and the City of Dayton had no truly suitable locations for the Hamvention.

Looking at the official Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau website, there’s simply nothing large enough to accommodate the Hamvention exhibitors and visitors . The biggest offering is the Dayton Convention Center, but it’s tiny compared to HARA Arena.

There’s also the Nutter Center, but it’s not designed as a convention space, so to speak.

Moving to Cincinnati, there is the Duke Energy Convention Center, which looks to be as modern as the facility in Friedrichshafen, Germany. It might hold the indoor part of the Hamvention, but doesn’t look big enough to handle the parking and a flea market.

I’m sure DARA has done their research and the Greene County Fairgrounds are the next best option. I hope vendors and exhibitors agree and attend next year.

I plan to attend the 2017 Hamvention and I’m hoping the new facility will please everyone. I imagine it’ll be no small task for DARA to relocate such a large event.

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