I had been expecting this package since the first of December, as USPS tracking initially stated this was the expected delivery date.
And then their nationwide slowdown occurred when packages seemed to simply disappear into the abyss.
It seems to me that USPS simply decided to put a halt to package shipments for a period of one to two weeks. Now, this is merely conjecture, but it certainly seems that way.
I have said more than once over the years that shipping a package via USPS is the absolute worst way to do so. Now, yes, I will admit that the local post office is certainly more convenient than going to the UPS or FedEx depot (even though FedEx has a deal with Walgreens and Dollar General for you to drop off packages). And, yes, for small packages, USPS’ rates are usually less. But for USPS to put the brakes on shipping packages in the middle of the Christmas rush is unconscionable.
In any event, I had purchased a barebones Fisher FM-200 tuner on that auction site near the end of November. It had no front panel, dial scale, knobs, tubes, tube shields, or bottom cover. Another seller on the auction site had the front panel and dial scale, and I bought this as well.
The beginnings of a project – a Fisher FM-200 barebones tuner.
The barebones tuner was shipped via UPS and arrived in a matter of days.
The front panel and dial scale were shipped via USPS. I wrote about this package, and my view of the nationwide slowdown/stoppage of USPS shipments, in my December 16 blog post.
Notice the label clearly states “PRIORITY MAIL 3-DAY”. Is this the USPS’ idea of a joke? Also notice the estimated delivery date which their tracking did not initially show – 11/30/2020.
Suddenly, on December 15, my missing package appeared at the Evansville, Indiana distribution center. And they sent it on to my local post office the next morning. It was delivered on the 16th and appeared none the worse for wear. Of course, it must have spent most of that time sitting in a truck or in a distribution center.
Unpacking the box revealed a Fisher FM-200 front panel, in the same condition as when it was shipped. And the dial scale, which was carefully wrapped in cardboard and paper, was still intact and unbroken!
The long-awaited contents – a front panel and dial glass for my Fisher FM-200 tuner. All undamaged!
I cleaned the fingerprints from the dial scale and installed it on my barebones FM-200 tuner, and then installed the front panel.
The front panel is surprisingly heavy. And with good reason – it is solid brass, unlike some of my early stereo Fisher components which have brass plated steel front panels. Unlike the others, a magnet would not stick to this front panel. Fisher would switch to aluminum front panels in the latter half of 1961 for its new 1962 line of components.
No, the front panel is not perfect, but I knew that at the time of purchase. Where else was I going to find one? The tuner is almost as old as I am and has not been manufactured since early 1961. In addition, the FM-200 appears to be a somewhat rare tuner since it was only on the market less than a year.
My FM-200 tuner with its “new” front panel and dial scale.
I had enough tube shields for it here already and have the tubes I need for it as well. As you can see, this FM-200 is starting to look like a tuner again.
Now to find the knobs and a bottom cover.
Finally, just for fun, I checked on the status of my missing mail request. It still shows Accepted – We’ve received your request and are currently searching for your mail.
Right. Sure they are (not).