Will there be a new supply of salvage or used parts, including radios, as a result of the Hurricane Charlie damage?
It’s always a shame when someone encounters misfortune. It’s also always a time to pull together loose ends and move on. Some number of folks always see it (or choose to take it) as an opportunity to make some long awaited change (lemons to lemonade). Some large percentage of salvage parts are the result of some unknown past misfortune; it’s pointless to worry about that. It certainly isn’t like we ordered the storm to get a radio.
Salvage parts meet an economic need (that in many cases helps hold down insurance rates by adding value to salvage). They also often play a critical role in keeping older planes in the air.
Having said the above, “caveat emptor” never applied more. Salvage parts that have been exposed to salt water are a huge risk. Nearly any radio equipment from this storm event will have had at least fresh water exposure from rain, and may have had salt spray exposure if it came from anywhere near the coast. For the next year or more, you’ll want to be extra cautious about any salvage parts, radios or otherwise. Make sure you have return rights, that the part is something you can examine well, and which can be treated with something like Corrosion X for insurance. This is as true of used cars as for airplane parts.