[HBR] Cost Of Homebrewing?

[hbr@mailman.qth.net]

Jim said:

> But somewhere in the early '60s the focus started to move towards 'niche'
> projects.

That's a good analysis I think.  If you further categorize these as 
'simpler' projects you get another piece of the puzzle.   Okay, 
'homebrew' can't compete for the main jobs in an advanced ham 
shack -- maybe it can still be part of the game for beginners?   

> Which would you rather build for the same price - an SB-300 or a
> G2DAF? 

The answer isn't that clear, is it?   The SB-300 was surely an okay 
set by the standards of the time, commercially designed, no 
metalwork to do, full documentation came with, good resale value, a 
much faster project than a true homebrew ... but the G2DAF Mk II 
was in general a state-of-the-art receiver and it remains pretty much 
the pinacle of the analog receiver art.   

I think the ARRL wimped out, as Heathkit also did just a few years 
later.   People would have paid (and worked extra hours) to build 
really good designs, but in both organizations the bean counting 
mentality took over -- "We can't do it any better than anyone else, so 
let's just get out of the game."   You can look all over our industrial 
landscape from the 70's on and find this kind of thinking.   The VCR, 
the automobile ... you name it, once there was competition the green 
eyeshade types pulled the plug.   Testicular mass deficiency 
syndrome -- no balls.

In this day of SUVs and Ten-Tec Orions, multiple TVs, computers, 
and VCRs ... I believe cost is no longer a substantial issue.  How 
much could a super receiver (either kit or raw homebrew) possibly 
cost to build?   $500?   $750?  Even $1000, if heavily belled and 
whistled?  Would that really be totally out of reach for a majority of 
hams?

Certainly kits aren't dead.   I've been listening to a round table down 
in the 75 meter extra class part of the band -- one of the guys is 
building an Elcraft K2.   But our big companies and the ARRL are 
still in the grip of TMDS.   The  the market may be modest and you 
certainly need to be sharp and nimble to play there ... but there's no 
excuse for the lack of a leadership role by the ARRL.

Lack of vision + terminal TMDS.   That's what it looks like here.

Walt
KJ4KV