Collins Radio: Some Ham Equipment (Technical Art Books) by Giovanni Becattini Gianni

Probably no one contributed more to the advancement of radio communications than the Collins Radio Company and its founder, Arthur A. Collins—a man whose story is tightly interwoven not only with his company, but with history itself. Collins didn’t simply build radios or avionics. They pioneered a new way of thinking. Their equipment wasn’t just reliable or powerful—it was visionary. And if that weren’t enough, they played a pivotal role in keeping the world free during World War II and in putting humankind on the Moon. The Collins Collectors Association (CCA) was created to preserve this legacy, but it quickly became much more. It is not merely a club—it’s a vibrant, passionate community of people who admire, study, restore, and love Collins equipment. I had the honor of working closely with many of them while creating this book, and their spirit is present on every page. Still, this book is not only about Collins. Alongside their legendary receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, and accessories, you’ll also find corresponding equipment from other distinguished manufacturers—Racal, Siemens, Telefunken—so you can not only hear how Beethoven composed his symphonies, but also grasp how deeply he influenced the music that followed. I would wager that no designer of these “alternative” devices ever drew a single stroke without first asking themselves what Collins had done—or what Collins would do. Read more