Audiovox CTX-3100A Cellular Mobile Telephone

For whatever reason, I am obsessed with any sort of business-related technology - especially if it came from the '90s.  For instance, I like PDAs, fax machines, etc.  I tend to like business and office environments in general.  As a kid, I made my own computer out of a box and also set up an office like my dad's - with a desk (Little Tikes table), pencils, pens, pencil sharpener, phone, etc.  The legacy still lives on, as I now have a filing cabinet, two fax machines, a briefcase, and several neckties.  Why I like business stuff?  Who knows?  Maybe it's the nostalgia from the days when my dad worked at a company where he did a lot of business stuff (undoubtedly, this all started by me copying him).  Or maybe I just simply find business stuff cool.  It just seems so modern, classy, etc.

Anyway, I've gotten a bit off topic with this.  Anyway, not too long ago, I was looking through our filing cabinets and looked through the folder for my dad's old car phone, which he used in his three company cars.  I had looked in the folder before but wasn't entirely sure what model it was.  But recently, after looking through the documents more closely, I learned that it was apparently an Audiovox CTX-3100A.  Sadly, I didn't get many results for it on Google.  Although I don't have a particular obsession with this gadget, it goes along with the "high tech business gadgets" that I mentioned - although I realize nowadays, cell phones are commonplace and not that big of a deal.  Still, it just seemed kind of classy and sophisticated talking on a car phone and having a nifty-looking spiral antenna sticking out from the back window of your car.  I think I'm also interested in this phone because it was in use in my dad's Dodge Dynasty, and as I've said many times before, I love that car.  I'm definitely glad to have found some literature on the phone.

RCA SelectaVision VGT650 Top Loading VCR

Since the spring of 2011, I have gone to Value Village and other similar thrift stores because I learned how many cheap, cool things are there.  On July 18, 2012, I was fortunate to encounter a top loading VCR.  I was amazed at how large and heavy it was.  After seeing it in the store, I debated as to whether or not I should buy it, but finally, on July 21st, I gave in and bought my very first top loading VCR, which I later learned was an RCA SelectaVision VGT650, manufactured in June 11, 1982.  This thing really blows newer VCRs out of the water with all its ports, buttons, etc.  That's one thing that makes old stuff cooler than the newer stuff - they have so many more buttons, controls, parts, etc., so they're naturally more interesting.  While new stuff is practical and cool-looking, sometimes they are so plain, small, and bland that they just aren't as interesting.

Believe it or not, I didn't get around to taking pictures of it or testing it until only a few days ago (you can blame procrastination for that).  Although it accepted the home video copy from 1993, when I pressed "play," it would play for a few seconds and stop.  When I ejected the tape, I learned that it had eaten the tape.  At least the roller guides had returned to the default position, and the VCR didn't shut off.  I have encountered two VCRs in that condition, and it is very frustrating.  Although the VCR doesn't work, I am very glad to have such a vintage VCR in my collection.