Phil?

[raider]

I have been reading some of the posts in this forum in regards to a Phil Nicols. I used to call and speak with someone in NH who worked on Brownings in the 80's who worked for Browning as an engineer. Is this the same guy? Did he pass away and how long ago? Does anyone know if the old factory still exists today (standing)? I am very interested in the history of the eagle.

[2600]

Phil Nichols was THE source for Browning parts, and performed service on the radios for over 25 years after the company liquidated. Claims by some parties to have bought "ALL" the remaining factory parts stock probably refer to Mr. Nichols' extensive stock. This stuff was sold off after he retired, but apparently it did not ALL go to one party.

There is a good bit of company history at www.browninglabsinc.com

Don't think I ever saw much mention of Mr. Nichols there, though.

Might be worth looking at www.retrocom.com

He was the guy who answered the phone, sold parts and upgraded Mark IV radios to Mark IVA. His upgraded radios had a gold-colored engraved laminated badge glued to the front panel, with the "Golden Eagle Mk IVA" legend on it.

The few Mark IVA radios that came from Browning in the Laconia, NH factory had the model number printed directly on the face of each unit.

But yeah, lots of folks miss him. He really knew his stuff.

73

[mark4]

Browning Labs. States the opposite.
He claims, The way to tell if the IVA was made after the plant closed-if the face had fully screened model # on the front.
My conversations with Greg if memory serves me right.
The remaining stock from browning contained both IVA badges and fully silked screened IVA faces. So who knows for sure?

[crazybob]

I heard that Phil's handle was "Brown Jug"?

[jkb]

I happen to have a Mark IVA silk screen. Believe it was made after Browning had closed. 

[SIX-SHOOTER]

Jan 12, 2019 21:07:18 GMT -5 jkb said:

I happen to have a Mark IVA silk screen. Believe it was made after Browning had closed. 

It's a RARE BIRD either way. Not as many of those as of the Badged Versions.I have the Badged Version & I love it more than any CB I have ever owned other than my almost MINT DAK Mark X.I like the DAK a bit better because it works great on AM & SSB & I think a Browning of any model is a TERRIBLE choice for SSB radio. I have a TRAM D201A as well but it is Third in my lineup of all time favorites. For talking AM only I'll take the MK IVA hands down. It is a beautiful radio on the desk & on the air & it only took me from 1978 until 2017 to finally get one & 1978 until 2018 to get a D201A so they along with the DAK X will be here until I am gone. I know I am blessed so I take good care of them & someone else one day will brag about how beautiful they are when they own them.

SIX-SHOOTER