Just a question that has been rattling around in the gourd. What age
group are B/A enthusiast-type folks here on the Net?

This one is older than you, sonny! First two receivers built in 1941
(neither of which worked as "liquid solder" didn't seem to be a very good
conductor). We used condensers, and resistor color code was "body, end,
dot". After long struggle to reach 13wpm with a stick, got class "B" license
in 1948. Class "A" not until 1950.
Old (73) Chief Lynn