What Happened to Collins Radio? It Owed 8 Banks Over $100M

Collins Radio started in 1931 in a Cedar Rapids basement at 1720 Sixth Avenue Southeast, and for forty years its name meant the best rig money could buy. The KWM-2 arrived in 1959 at more than $1,000, in a box of 18 pounds 3 ounces. You warmed the tubes, switched in the calibrator and turned Zero Set until the dial agreed with the crystal marker. Then Exciter Tuning peaked, PA Tuning swung to the dip, Loading nudged until the meter settled. Eighty through ten at a hundred watts, and a station you worked on Tuesday was still sitting where you left it on Friday. The radios were never the problem. By 1969 Collins owed eight banks more than $100 million, while the C-System computer ate engineers and cash without earning a dollar. North American Rockwell paid $35 million in 1971 for control of the board. On November 2, 1973, Collins Radio became a division. 73. #hamradio #amateurradio #collinsradio #boatanchor #vintageradio #electronicshistory