Dad's Restoration Project

My dad has been a geek since his early teenage years, with a love of all things ham radio. He supported the family by owning a small business that sold ham radio equipment. I grew up around dusty old ham radio equipment. I can still remember the unique smell you get from these antiques and seeing my dad work on these antiques bring up a lot of childhood memories.

He is retired now, but he still has a love for radios and radio equipment. He recently developed a passion for morse code keys, the history behind them and restoring these little communication devices.  Most of them come to him covered in grease and dust. He takes each one apart and restores them back to working condition. 

Just a sample of over 100 in my father's collection. 

Just a sample of over 100 in my father's collection. 

Many of the 100's he has collected were made in the early 1900's and 1940's.  Below is a small handful that he has already restored or are in different phases of restoration.

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The graphics on this box are really amazing. Inside is all the original documentation and equipment, in original condition. 

The graphics on this box are really amazing. Inside is all the original documentation and equipment, in original condition. 

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This device uses a punch tape to transit sounds. It was used for training. 

This device uses a punch tape to transit sounds. It was used for training. 

This was a military device, still waiting restoration. 

This was a military device, still waiting restoration. 

Another still waiting to be restored. 

Another still waiting to be restored. 

Roadside Nevada County

Nevada county has a few roadside attractions that are unique and fun to visit:

Grass Valley robot

Grass Valley robot

This Tin Man and Tin Woman in Nevada City play Wizard of Oz music when you push his bellybutton. 

This Tin Man and Tin Woman in Nevada City play Wizard of Oz music when you push his bellybutton. 

Rough and Ready has an entire mini town dedicated to Gold Mining history. 

Rough and Ready has an entire mini town dedicated to Gold Mining history. 

More from Rough and Ready

More from Rough and Ready

Clark's in Nevada City

Clark's in Nevada City

Old Shell station in Penn Valley (Bridgeport)

Old Shell station in Penn Valley (Bridgeport)

Cabin in the Woods

If you like old shacks and cabins, then check out the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park in Nevada City, California.  The park is the location of an 1800's gold mining town and what is left is a mini ghost town. 

My first trip to this park was last year in the middle of summer. When I decided to make my 2nd trip to the Malakoff Diggins park, I didn't realize it would be 1 to 2 feet deep in snow, but that really made for some interesting images. 

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If you visit the park, you will find an old cemetery, historic church, lake, hiking locations and you can take guided tours of some old general stores. 

The National Hotel

The National Hotel in Nevada City is the oldest continuously operating hotel in California.  It was recently purchased with a plan for total renovation. When you see the pictures below, you will understand why it will cost upwards of $2 million to re-open the hotel.

The hotel offers some of the best views in Nevada City and the public balcony is a great feature.

The hotel offers some of the best views in Nevada City and the public balcony is a great feature.

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The hallways remind you of The Shining.

The hallways remind you of The Shining.

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These rooms were available for rent only a few weeks ago, and the bedding looks about 20 years old.

These rooms were available for rent only a few weeks ago, and the bedding looks about 20 years old.

Everything in the hotel rooms is currently for sale, $25 for the bed

Everything in the hotel rooms is currently for sale, $25 for the bed

I always like a sink next to my head.

I always like a sink next to my head.

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One of the bigger rooms.

One of the bigger rooms.

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