[Elecraft] Are there any "bad radios"?

[Geoffrey Feldman]

Having worked retailing amateur radios, people often ask which is best.
Also often they are absolutely convinced they know the answer because their
Elmer said so.   When I review what someone actually wants to do with the
hobby and get a sense of their budget, I can advise them.  A new Ham often
hasn't a clear idea what they want to do.  Knowing most of what is
available, there are no truly "bad radios" that would be unsuited for anyone
at all.  Not everyone can afford "the best".  Not everyone can use the best.
New operators may not even be able to manage a ton of fancier features. New
Hams may not know there is more to the hobby than whatever their Elmer has
locked on to (20+ years ago).   Life in an HOA or a city with much RFI
directs from most expensive and top of the line towards something portable.
The visibility provided by  a Pan Adapter function is especially important.
Personally I have a KX3, PX3, KXPA100.  I also own an IC 7300.  My
recommendations at work would tend to what I can sell of course.  If someone
knows what they want, they buy it.   I find too that upselling the radio is
not productive either.  Once someone has a radio they will need antennas,
feed lines, maybe a tuner, wire, rope, books, power poles, antenna analyzer
- all that stuff is the really great stuff J  Also, if someone gets a lot of
books, they will learn other aspects of the hobby and  get another radio and
the cycle repeats.

 

Geoff

W1GCF