[Elecraft] THE FUTURE OF OUR HOBBY

[Phil Hystad]

Back in 1960 I bought my transmitter, an Eico 720 Kit for $79.95.  My receiver at that time was a Knight-Kit R100.

The US inflation calculator says that $79.95 in 1960 is equal to about $695 today.  This was a transmitter only and the only mode was CW and it was crystal controlled (no VFO).  If you add in an almost equal amount for a receiver than today’s KX2 or even for that matter, a KX3 is a real bargain.  That Eico 720 transmitter in 1960 was a nice rig but it was low end of the transmitter totem-pole.

A few years after that I upgraded my receiver to a Hammarlund HQ-170AC which was considered one of the great receivers for its day.  However, it is no where close to be as good as the receiver on a KX3.  That HQ-170AC was ~$329 (in 1965) and at today’s price would be equal to a ~$2700 purchase!

Rigs today, even the best ones, are cheap in comparison.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Dec 16, 2019, at 10:19 AM, Leroy Buller <lee.buller at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> This is a concern of mine for Elecraft.  A low cost entry rig with 100
> watts.  Very hard to compete with I Y K for this market.  Flex has the same
> issue but maybe the old man rich market is big enough for all players.
> 
> Saving for a K4
> 
> Lee
> 
> On Mon, Dec 16, 2019, 10:03 AM Charlie T <pincon at erols.com> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Note to Wayne & Eric that an inexpensive entry level transceiver might find
>> market with newcomers on tight budgets (eg the K1, etc.); something other
>> than a VHF HT.  KX2/KX3 are still a bit much for the college student or
>> newly graduated worker.
>> 
>> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>> 
>> 
>> That's probably what the current non "S" version of the K3 will evolve
>> into.
>> Maybe even the K3s too with the introduction of the K4.
>> 
>> 73, Charlie k3ICH
>> 
>> 
>> 
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