Harold Collins and his Wonderful 75A-1

摘要

A crisp Saturday afternoon, October 2001. I'm in a big rush. We're getting ready for a trip to the Detroit art museum. I pace briskly through the house, looking for something. The red light is blinking on my phone answering machine. I slow, stop and from habit push the play button. A man's tinny voice: Want to buy a Collins 75A-1 ? Receiver's complete with mechanical filter adapter, Central Electronics Sideband Slicer, speaker. I remember a setup just like that. A long time ago. Area code 616. Now he has my attention. Western Michigan, where I grew up. The exchange: 897. Wow―my hometown, Lowell! After all these years, could this be the radio I've most wanted to find? I jump in the car, steering for Detroit. But my mind is not on Degas or Renoir.