May Events
May 25th Meeting and Auction at EPO. We are NOT at Bayland Community Center.
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June 22 HVRA General Meeting AT Bayland Community Center
Presentation: Postwar FM: The Big Bad Wolf by Jordon LaGrone
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July 20th HVRA General Meeting AT Bayland Community Center
Presentation: Recording & Playing older audio media by Stephen Truch
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auction control form
Fill out this form ahead of time to one of our many auctions save yourself the hassle of doing it at the event. Just click to download then print out.
The Grid Leak
Visit this section to view copies of the club’s monthly newsletter “The Grid Leak”
WHAT IS HVRA?
The Houston Vintage Radio Association (HVRA) is a non-profit organization seeking to preserve the history of the development of wireless communication by encouraging the acquisition, restoration, preservation and exhibition of vintage wireless and radio apparatus, and by encouraging the preservation of original records pertaining to the history and development of wireless and radio communication and broadcasting.
HVRA Beginning
During the summer of 1978, Frank Cooper came up with the idea of forming an association consisting of people from around the Houston area who had a common interest in vintage radios. He enlisted the aid of two other vintage radio collectors Fenton Wood and Bob Lucas. The three compiled a list of 80 names of men who might be interested in participating. Frank scheduled a meeting room at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, then wrote a letter to those on the list, which disclosed the idea and invited them to attend. The letter was signed by Frank, Fenton and Bob. As a result of that letter, twenty-two men met in the Houston Museum of Natural Science on November 16, 1978 (First Meeting Invitation), and formed the Houston Vintage Radio Association. The attendees elected Frank Cooper as the first president.
HVRA Membership
Today, the Houston Vintage Radio Association has hundreds of members, not only in Texas; but throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. The membership includes not only collectors and restorers of vintage radios, but those who collect vintage phonographs, telephones, audio equipment, telegraphs, records, ham equipment, and television equipment as well
Articles
March 2023 The Crosley PUP
Presentation on the Crosley PUP During the 2023 March monthly meeting Rick Slater followed up his February meeting about regenerative radios with a presentation on the famous Crosley PUP. Rick did an excellent job presenting (as usual) and you can find his presentation at the link below. Presentation If you don’t attend our monthly Read more about March 2023 The Crosley PUP[…]
Regenerative Radio Theory Presentation
Armstrong / Borden Regenerative Radio Kit Theory Presentation During the February 25th, 2023 monthly meeting Rick Slater put on a very informative presentation about regenerative radios. Rick led an excellent discussion on the theory of grid leak detectors and regeneration. All enjoyed the presentation and here you can find a link to it online. Presentation Read more about Regenerative Radio Theory Presentation[…]
OBITUARY Joe “Hoss” Dan Wendler
OBITUARY Joe “Hoss” Dan Wendler JULY 31, 1939 – JANUARY 2, 2023 The Family has graciously requested that Memorial Donations may be made to The Houston Vintage Radio Association. Those donations can be sent to: HVRA C/O Joe Gernand 2108 Walnut Creek Drive League City, Texas 77573 Born to Irene and Carl Wendler Read more about OBITUARY Joe “Hoss” Dan Wendler[…]
2022 ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT
2022 ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT By Lewis Brittain The 2022 Annual Convention was HVRA’s premier event for the year. It was a two and a half day event held at the Houston Marriott North, as it has been held for several previous years. Generally the service has been excellent, and they certainly didn’t let us down Read more about 2022 ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT[…]
Turn Table Hard Knocks
Turn Table Hard Knocks by Tom Taylor So you have a couple of rough repairs under your belt and your feeling good about yourself THEN along comes a customer’s ’55 RCA record player (changer) packaged in a mini console with what forums say is cherry colored mahogany. You take it because it seems manageable and Read more about Turn Table Hard Knocks[…]
A RAINY SATURDAY, HALF A LIFETIME AGO
A RAINY SATURDAY, HALF A LIFETIME AGO BY DAVE HERLINGER I just came back from the garage, rummaging around in file drawers full of old tubes, wires, transformers, and buried deep inside, I found something I hadn’t seen since retiring from teaching high school physics 6 years ago. A bunch of rusty nails, a couple Read more about A RAINY SATURDAY, HALF A LIFETIME AGO[…]
NEW BOARD POSITION AVAILABLE – Estate Management Representative
NEW BOARD POSITION AVAILABLE As a result of estate sales during HVRA’s scheduled auctions over the past several years, the Board has an appreciation for the complexities of efficiently coordinating several estates to the benefit of both the Estate Owner and HVRA. We are currently in possession or in discussions with several estates which, pending Read more about NEW BOARD POSITION AVAILABLE – Estate Management Representative[…]
Lazy Man’s Guide to Radio Refinishing
Lazy Man’s Guide to Radio Refinishing Follow this Link to View the Video on Facebook DISCLAIMER: In this summary and the program I have prepared for HVRA’s May 30, 2020 meeting, I set forth MY methods for sprucing up radios including wood, plastic and even metal. THERE ARE MANY OTHER TECHNIQUES THAT YOU CAN Read more about Lazy Man’s Guide to Radio Refinishing[…]
2020 ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT
2020 ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT by Jerry Sirkin Our 2020 Annual Convention and Auction was a 2-1/2 day event this year and, as in past years, held at the Marriott North Hotel. We had a great turn-out as members bid on approximately 550 lots, split just about equally over the Friday and Saturday auctions. Our records Read more about 2020 ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT[…]
HVRA 2019 Annual ConventionWrap-Up
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 Read more about HVRA 2019 Annual ConventionWrap-Up[…]