[TenTec] What's going to get fixed?

[Stuart Rohre]

What radios can be fixed depends on the solid state devices used therein.

Or, if other unique parts such as front dial scales, plastic or 
composite gears, or such are used that are no longer made.  An example 
are the pot metal parts of old mechanical drive assemblies.

A dedicated restorer can find substitutes or troll surplus sources for 
discontinued transistors.

But, a commercial establishment cannot afford the labor one or two 
repairs over a period of years might require.

Most manufacturing used to be supported by the maker for 10 years.
That has gone by the way side with the rapid turnover in solid state 
technologies.  Has anyone tried to buy a Tunnel diode lately?

How about mercury wetted relays?

Variable capacitors are seldom used for tuning in the varieties that 
existed in the 40's and 50's.

Some parts are easily substituted often with better form factor, or 
tolerance.  Such would be replacements for carbon composition resistors, 
or electrolytic capacitors where new designs are smaller for the same 
voltage ratings.

Some of us know how, but don't have the time to restore our radios.
Live has so many distractions these days!

Good Luck to the dedicated restorers!
Stuart Rohre
K5KVH