[Elecraft] Cable provider recommendation

Rick Bates, NK7I rick.nk7i at gmail.com
Wed Dec 10 18:45:59 EST 2025


I would submit that the 'average' ham of today (at least in the US) 
doesn't even own a real soldering station (not just iron or gun) or 
knows how to use one.  Our society is mostly toss when broken, buy what 
is lacking (Amazon next day wins, FleaBay not far behind).

And the rest are aging; so hands are thicker and eyes are weaker, making 
some of the newer connectors (AND mustard seed sized components) harder 
to work on.  (And we miss the Heathkit product lines too; /nearly/ idiot 
proof!)

I include myself in the aging portion; but I do what I can still do, as 
needed (maybe not as tidily, but pretty matters only after it works!).  
Magnifying headsets help; a younger but also aging neighbor takes up the 
slack.

It's a sad comment on the state of ham radio; those that know, can't 
anymore while those that can't, just click and ship shop. Where's the 
fun and joy in that?

73,
Rick nk7i

On 12/10/2025 3:31 PM, Jim Brown via Elecraft wrote:
> On 12/10/2025 12:36 PM, Richards via Elecraft wrote:
>> Do hams no longer make cables?
>
> I've probably made a thousand cables over my 70 years as a ham and 40 
> years in pro audio, but there are a few coax connectors for which I 
> either don't have a suitable tool or don't feel comfortable doing 
> myself. As I recall, one of the connectors that he needed was one of 
> those.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC


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