TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
ALL NON-WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AMATEURS
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED
WOOD COUNTY BULLETIN NR 13.09 DATE: March 3, 2013 SUBJECT: NOT TOO LATE
None of us like to think about it, but sooner or later we'll all become a Silent Key. If you have been a Ham for any length of time, you will have accumulated a lot of "junk" over the years. We think of it as a treasure, others think of it as junk. When you're gone, your family will probably want to sort out your "treasures" and may not have any idea what is what. Some of the things like your current HF rig, VHF handhelds, computers, etc. are valuable. Then there are things that you have collected over the years that may or may not have any real value. Then there is the really true junk that we just can't seem to part with.
Taking a page from your insurance company, start a list, use file cards, a notebook, or even labels on your things may give your family an idea of what things are, and what they are used for. Being objective about it, on your list indicate what it is, not just a physical description, but is it something that is worth something. For example, if you have a pair of World War II vintage BC-454 aircraft receivers in working condition with a power supply, they could be of some real value to a collector.
Be careful about what it is and how you list it. Next contact a trusted, knowledgeable fellow Ham and ask him to help your next of kin in disposing of your treasures. If you have family members that are also Hams, they may want to keep most of the items. Your list will help others in the task of seeing that your legacy of junk collecting goes where you want it to.
Some of your treasures could go to a club, books to a library, parts to a school, and really good equipment sold. In your list, you need to note if there are manuals, if there is peripheral equipment i.e. tuners, keyers, TNC's, power supplies, and things that really complete the system. This list doesn't need to be done all at once, but give it the attention it needs. (Bulletin written by Charlie Helmick, W8JZN)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WCEC
Wood County WV