HVRA 2019 Annual ConventionWrap-Up
By Jerry Sirkin HVRA Vice Presidentand Convention Chairman
281-844-4124 (gsirkin@aol.com)

The Friday and Saturday attendees at our 2019 Annual Convention enjoyed two days of auctions, a superb tech talk by Jeff Heller, a very competitive Old Equipment Contest co-chaired by Tom Taylor and Jeff Heller and an Awards Banquet led by President Bill Werzner featuring guest speaker Steve Smith. BY THE NUMBERS: Compared to 2018, the auctions at this Convention featured fewer estates, fewer lots and, consequently, a $1300 net loss compared to the 2018 net $3500 profit. During the two days of auctions, Reid Shipp and his auction handlers moved 550 lots across the auction table where Bill Werzner and Jim Sargent took turns to announce, describe and successfully sell 450 lots. We had 29 (same as 2018) warm bodied sellers on Friday and 43 (50 in 2018) buyers…17 members bought and sold (20in 2018). Saturday saw 44 (26 in 2018) warm bodied sellers and 52 (50 in 2018) buyers; 30 (14 in 2018) members bought and sold. Total registrants in attendance were 93 (85 in 2018). The 2019 total auction sales grossed only $11,035 compared to $25,300 in 2018 and HVRA’s net sales were $3,500 compared to $7,035 in 2018. The big differences in Profit /Loss between the 2 years included approx. $700 in additional expenses and the lack of higher valued lots seen in the estates during the 2018 auctions.

A bigthanks to all of the HVRA Board Members and member volunteers for their help during the Convention. Bill Werzner and his loading crew provided transportation for the estate items. Reid Shipp and his merry men of auction handlers kept the auction table full while Bill Werzner and Jim Sargent took turns setting the auction pace. Among the members volunteering their time were Mike Slovan, Konrad Werzner, David Herlinger, Stephen Truch, Jimmy Stewart, Erik Stehl, John Given, Steve Scheel, and the others who assisted during the auction. Cecil and Fran Miles shared time helping Jeff Heller oversee the Contest room. Our historian Stephen Pena captured the event with many photos of all the activities and contest results throughout the two days. I hope you have time to look at the photos presented on the HVRA website. Each year this Convention is overseen by a group of volunteers welcoming registrants and assisting in the financial responsibilities; thanks to Gail Sirkin, Cindy Scheel and Lois Janssen for their help at the registration table. Treasurer Ric Slater along with Steve Scheel took turns recording the auction bids and with the assistance of Vera and Lynn Palmer, a backup list was maintained to assist with any recording problems. I apologize to any volunteers not mentioned above and I thank you for your help.

Among the top 15 auctioned items were: a 1903 Edison Gem cylinder player ($800); Zenith shutter dial ($170); Zenith radio ($190); AK 60 highboy console ($120); AK Cathedral ($150); AK 30 ($110); Sansui receiver and turntable ($150); Kenwood TS S20 ($140); Philco console ($170); Two MacIntosh computers ($300 and $240); Magnavox console record player and radio ($100); Box of SWR coils ($150); tube tester ($100) and a Candlestick phone ($100). Thanks again to all attendees, sellers, bidders and helper. See you February, 2020.2019 HVRA Annual Convention Contest Results The 2019 Convention Contest was a great success thanks to so many fine contest entries. Well over 50 separate displays and entries were made in the contest. In addition to awarding our usual first and second place ribbons for each of 19 categories, we also made some special awards as noted below. Thanks again to all contestantsfor making the contest a great display of vintage radios.

2019 Contest

Listed below are the first-place winners as well as special award winners:

1.Wireless/Spark Equipment:  TomBurgess – SCR74A WWI SparkGap Transmitter
2.Crystal Receivers and Related Crystal Equipment:  LynnPalmer – WolfCub Crystal Radio Display
3.1920’s Battery Receivers:  GilbertHedge – 1924 Ozarka Portable Radio
4.Cathedrals, Tombstones & Consoles(wood):  JeffHeller – Midget Cathedral Radios
5.Table Receivers,Tube(wood):  BobandKathyBotto PyeModel MM 1931 TRF Radio
6.Table Receivers,Tube(non-wood):  JeffHeller -Emerson Patriot/Philco Boomerang Radios
7.Transistor or other Portable Radios:  LanceBorden, 1951 Zenith H500 Trans-Oceanic
8.“Modern” Electronics, items at least 10 years old.  Steve Scheel – JRC NRD525 Communications Receiver
9.Phonographs ,Speakers, Reproducers & Microphones:  JohnSchmitt – Philmore Jr. Microphone
10.Miscellaneous Vintage Electrical Equipment(Examples include Telephones,Telegraph,Scientific Test Equipment, Electrical Devices and Television) – Dave Herlinger, “DangerHighVoltage” Display
11.Kit Radios and Electronics: LanceBorden, 1955 Allied Knight Kit 6-in-1 RadioLab
12.Hi-Fidelity Equipment – MikeSlovan HomebrewAmplifier
13.Amateur Radio Equipment and Accessories (At Least 40 years Old) – SteveScheel, TNT CW Transmitter
14.Military Electrical and Electronic Equipmen: Tom Burgess, CIARS-6 HF Transceiver
15.Replicas & Vintage Style Creations: EdMustoe – Home built Transistor “Retrodyne”
16.Ugly Radios: John Given, 1958 GE Wonder Kitchen Radio
17.Foreign Radios: Lance Borden – 1970’s Chinese HF Receiver Type 222-1
18.Special Convention Theme: The Founding of  Radio Corporation of America –  DaveMoore Radiola1
19.Components, including Vacuum Tubes – Tom Burgess, VT158 Radar Transmitter Tube
20.Open Display: – MikeGrimes Zenith 6volt AM Auto Radio

BestRestoration: GilbertHedge ,Ozarka Portable Radio
BestVintageEquipment: Mike Grimes,Radiola RS Two Tube Regen Radio
BestArtifactsandCollections: DaveHerlinger, “DangerHighVoltage” Display
Best New Contestant: Ed Mustoe
Exhibitor’s Choice: Gilbert Hedge, Ozarka Portable Radio
Best of Show 1stPlace: Dave Herlinger, “Danger High Voltage”
Best of Show 2ndPlace: Lynn Palmer, Wolf Cub Crystal Radio Display