Bruce’s Bench – the name is rather unassuming, the concept quite simple. The idea was to, via the internet, take folks out to my workshop, turn on the lights, and show them the various projects scattered about on my workbench. Originally intended as but a simple way to update friends from out of town as to what was percolating on my service bench, this series has grown into one of the more popular pages on my humble site.
When I first started out back in 2007, I had envisioned this serial as a simple photo documentary, but as time went on, it has slowly developed into a journal of sorts, and perhaps, if you will excuse the expression, a showcase of talents, interests, ideas, and yes, even misadventures. As we begin our fifth year of Bruce’s Bench, my hope is that you have enjoyed reading along as much as I have enjoyed creating it, for the serial has allowed me to connect with all sorts of interesting folks, acquire some rather unique radio gear, document a small bit of radio history, and along the way make some wonderful friends. Kind folks have shared their own stories with me after reading an article in the series, or have greeted me at ham fests and shared just how much they enjoyed a posting, photo or project…that really makes it all worthwhile.
I’m ready now for a new year in amateur radio, with more projects to undertake, more radios to add to the collection, more challenges to chase down, and perhaps most importantly, more time to spend with friends! My best for the New Year to one and all…and if I may be so bold as to borrow a phrase from Dickens’ most wonderful tale, “A Christmas Carol”…God bless us, everyone! May we all take the lesson of Ebenezer Scrooge to heart, and begin the new year refreshed and renewed with the joy of redemption.
