I have inherited some vintage radio pieces from a relative who recently
passed away (this sort of thing is always bittersweet -- I lust after
those radios, but I'd much rather have my uncle-in-law back, thank you
very much!).

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped? Will UPS or
Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio? My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

--
Tim Wescott
Control systems and communications consulting
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Need to learn how to apply control theory in your embedded system?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" by Tim Wescott
Elsevier/Newnes, http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

In Tim Wescott
wrote:

There's around ten boxes, one of which is reported to be 100 lbs (it's
a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

A naked 75A4 weighed about 35 pounds.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN

Tim Wescott wrote:
I have inherited some vintage radio pieces from a relative who recently
passed away (this sort of thing is always bittersweet -- I lust after
those radios, but I'd much rather have my uncle-in-law back, thank you
very much!).

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

More like 35 lbs.

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped? Will UPS or
Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio?

UPS will ship up to 140 lbs. My wife just got a 121 lb rug delivered
by UPS.

My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

There is no need to pull tubes. If you are really worried, take a few
plastic bags loosely full of peanuts and fill the inside of the radio
with them.

Some big radios, particularly transmitters were shipped with the transformers
removed because the chassis could not handle the strain of a big lunk of
steel and copper being tossed around.

The biggest suggestion I can offer is to double box everything. The first
box should be a pretty close fit to the radio, with some foam padding where
it seems appropriate. The second box should be at least 4 inches bigger in
all dimensions, and be packed firmly with peanuts.

-Chuck

Ensure that all of the chassis to cabinet screws are in place! Many heavy
sets
had screws on the front, bottom and along the rear apron.
An improperly secured chassis can wreck havoc during shipment.

Pete

Tim Wescott wrote:
I have inherited some vintage radio pieces from a relative who recently
passed away (this sort of thing is always bittersweet -- I lust after
those radios, but I'd much rather have my uncle-in-law back, thank you
very much!).

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped? Will UPS or
Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio? My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

If one looks at how the manufacturers originally did it, much is
revealed. For example, EFJ often crated things like the Valiant and 500
and, as other have noted, transformers were often not installed. The
best way to do it these days is to use a foam-in-place packaging method
with a minimum of a 3" plenum of foam. Double boxing and the use of
double and triple-wall type containers will also help with external
penetrations. Boxes should be either steel or fiber-reinforced tape
strapped. Finally, select a good shipper. I would not personally use
UPS. They do a creditable job with their commercial customers but have
utter disdain for the Harry Homeowner shipper. Yes, there are a few
conscientious employees at all the available shippers but its the
end-to-end result that is the issue. Finally, if you do in fact have a
sizable shipping consignment, you might even consider a national-level,
over-the-road trucking company to do the job and use
terminal-to-terminal service. That way, your gear is minimally handled.
I guess it all depends on how much the gear is worth (to you) and how
much expense you chose to incur.
Sounds like to have a real treasure-trove, there!!
de K3HVG

In article ,
Tim Wescott wrote:

I have inherited some vintage radio pieces from a relative who recently
passed away (this sort of thing is always bittersweet -- I lust after
those radios, but I'd much rather have my uncle-in-law back, thank you
very much!).

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped?

Professional freight company, preferably as a single shipment on a pallet.
(They're less likely to drop it off a forklift.) Insure it against damage
in transit (they will then take more care to avoid an insurance claim).

Will UPS or Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio?

Do _NOT_ use UPS if you want something to arrive intact.[1]

My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

A crate with *thick* foam padding or polystyrene chips (Do NOT use solid
polystyrene sheet/board/block, as it has no cushioning value), and about
2 to 4 inches of padding around the sides. Avoid shipping equipment with
die cast (Mazak) components in subzero temperatures as the alloy becomes
very brittle and will shatter like glass if dropped.

Assume the worst: that the shipping company only employs psychopaths who
get a bonus for every parcel they destroy in transit, and package stuff
accordingly. You might get lucky and have it survive[3].

Good luck,

Chris.
p.s: The tagline at the bottom of this post is a direct quote from a
Signal Training pamphlet: "Maintenance of signal equipment in the
field" with a small addition by me. Believe it.
[1] Their "sorting" facility uses rams to shove packages off one conveyor
onto a lower one. Apparently the drop is about three feet.[2]
[2] I've got the result of a near mint WS19 sent via UPS - every panel bent.
[3] Cynical? Me? Of course I am, I have to deal with Parcelforce[4] in the UK.
[4] "The package destruction arm of Royal Mail PLC." -- Peter Corlett.
--
"...It should be remembered that goods in transit receive very rough
handling, a free drop onto concrete from a height of 4' 6" is not
improbable, and packaging should as far as possible be made to meet
these conditions". -- The British Army has obviously used UPS.

I'd suggest having a crate made for it no matter how its shipped.
I had that done a couple of years ago, and it was quite reasonable.
The crate was custom built, and lined with hard styrofoam.
Expect ANY shipper to drop it from 5-10'. Unfortuantly thats
the way things are treated. I have shipped heavy, bulky items via
Greyhound before with no problems.

Steve

Tim Wescott wrote:

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

Should be less than forty pounds. Figure maybe 65 pounds total if you
build a wooden crate for it (which I recommend).

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped? Will UPS or
Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio? My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

Fed Ex Ground is the cheapest method, and if you get a free FedEx account
you get a 10% discount on that. They will handle up to 120 lbs. and at
that point you start looking at freight forwarders (which includes FedEx's
freight operation). Standard counter rates are on the website.

You don't need to pull tubes, but it wouldn't hurt to stuff the cabinet
with packing peanuts to keep them in place.

Equipment with really heavy power or modulation transformers or with big
electric motors may require the motor or transformer to be removed before
shipping to prevent damage. This includes old Ampex tape machines and
any broadcast transmitters. It does not include stuff like the 75A.

I kind of miss my old 75A... it was a fun receiver. I replaced it with
a 390A a couple decades ago and even so I still miss it.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Tim Wescott wrote:
I have inherited some vintage radio pieces from a relative who recently
passed away (this sort of thing is always bittersweet -- I lust after
those radios, but I'd much rather have my uncle-in-law back, thank you
very much!).

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped? Will UPS or
Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio? My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

What about a furniture/house removal organisation who will pack it into
a van and cart it from door to door without transhipment so no special
packing needed. Maybe the cost and distance from one side of the US to
the other would make it too expensive compared with the value? Maybe
hire a van, take some time off and do it yourself?

Simon

Craters & Freighters:

http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/cf/home.do

I have used them to ship very heavy and expensive radios & TVs & radio/TV
combos across the continent. Door to door service.

Yah, they charge more than UPS, but it's cheaper than receiving a box full
of broken junk.

Just because it's in a metal cabinet doesn't mean that it can't be destroyed
if some pinhead tosses a thin, poorly-packed cardboard box off a loading
dock and misses his target. I speak from experience :-(

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html