19-05-2017, 12:30 AM
For the most part I agree with you. It is evolution. Recently I was stunned to discover the IF in radio came about due to regenerative tuning in homes. Hank Hill would be adjusting his feedback but he'd cause oscillation. Lo and behold, Dale next door would suddenly get the same program but on next doors frequency. So, it was clear frequencies could be changed. The 455 KHz came by trial and error. Only after came the texts to explain how it worked.
Once transistors allowed for PCB work, I guess that spelled the end of engineered radios that could be serviced. You could keep refining the boards and just factory solder a whole range. Like painting by numbers. At some point for me the magic was lost. I totally dislike modern transistors. I prefer the large germanium ones with coloured leads. I lve those sixties car radios too with the strung dials.
Once transistors allowed for PCB work, I guess that spelled the end of engineered radios that could be serviced. You could keep refining the boards and just factory solder a whole range. Like painting by numbers. At some point for me the magic was lost. I totally dislike modern transistors. I prefer the large germanium ones with coloured leads. I lve those sixties car radios too with the strung dials.
