Boat anchors

In ham radio, the term "boat anchors" usually refers to old, tube type radios. They are called "boat anchors" because most of them are extreamly heavy. My Galaxy V, which weighs in at about 25 pounds with ought the power supply, is considered a boat anchor even though it has a few transistors in the audio stage. Some boat anchors weigh over 900 Pounds! Although most of these are rather old, they make very good rigs but you may have to "do without" a few found on newer rigs such as general coverage receiver, punch in frequency, digital frequency display ect. There are a few advantages to tube rigs. You can operate the transmitting finals with a much higher SWR than with their modern counter parts. This is because tubes are tougher, electrically. Some amplifiers produce so much heat, people claim to warm their shacks with the tubes! This must be a joke but I don't know for sure because I have never seen the tubes. Personally, I like to see the tubes light up in the dark.