[Heathkit] [QRP-L] Hollow State QRP Transmitter Kit

[Tracy Walters]

OK hopefully we have this addressed right. There have been some comments
made as far as the kit cost being as high as rebuilding a classic but let
me offer tis idea. It seems to me the last couple of generations of hams
out here are  upper class with lots of money to burn, they go out and buy
the $3000 HF rig and are completely clueless has to how or why it works. We
have a lot of even extra class ops out here now that got their ticket by
memorization of the question pool but truly have no knowledge of what is
going on. A lot of these same people want to LEARN but really lack the
resorce to do so. When building the Heathkits, Eico knightkits we all
learned stage by stage what was going on and what makes it tick, from this
we could more easily grasp the newer tech  as it came out. I think that
this group of newer hams will be the buyers of these type of kits for the
education. Rebuilding an old boat anchor is fun and something to be proud
of, but it does take an existing knowledge to do so. I wish Howie the best
of luck in this venture and I do believe with the proper advertising he
will do well. Just my two cents.

Tracy  N1RKT


On Thu, May 23, 2013 at 3:26 PM, L L bahr <pulsarxp at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> First off, let me say I have a ton of tube gear.  I also build tube rigs
> such as an AC-1 clone, Philmore NT-200 clone, and a Paraset and others of
> more power so I am interested in low power tube gear.  That said, you are
> not offering a clone and thus just have a new type tube rig of simple
> design. I for one am really not much interested in a new 6V6 rig.  If I was
> to build one, it would be first class and most likely of my own design
> unless your rig was much less expensive then what I could build up myself.
> I am saying this as I suspect others may feel the same way or be in the
> same position. I would suspect you are thinking of a price of around $175.
>  So to put $175 towards a new non nostalgic pee wee 6v6 rig,  I'd much
> rather invest my $175 in buying a boat anchor such as a Globe Scout or
> DX-60 with restoration parts or build up a classic clone of some vintage
> rig if I wanted to build or work on a tube project. You don't mention what
> this transmitter will look like.  The lo
>  oks will be a big part of the interest in your transmitter.  There is one
> kit offered now with a tube but it uses modern looking parts and is in an
> unorthodox looking cabinet.  For many this is a BIG turn off as many want a
> "vintage" look. I just think $175 is more then the masses will pay for a
> non clone 5 or 6 watt output CW transmitter.  In my opinion, your market
> for real buyers is going to be extremely small.  If someone was wanting to
> build a hollow state low power rig, his investment would be much more
> valued by putting their money into say a PARASET project or Philmore NT-200
> clone project.  I'm not saying you won't sell some of your transmitters,
> but I think you market is really going to be small unless you have some
> dynamite looking kit at a "I can't pass this up" price.  What I am saying
> is you are competing for discretionary dollars in my opinion, with a very
> limited set of potential buyers with a very limited appeal product.  With
> the "overhead" you mention,  yo
>  ur selling price may well have to be around $225 which makes the kit even
> less desirable.  This is just my realistic take on your venture. I think
> you are chasing a very very small buying segment.  If it were me,  I'd pick
> out a reproduction clone for my kit.  I have built a great Philmore NT-200
> clone (6V6-6L6-5Y3).  This would be a much more useful and valued project
> as nobody has taken it on as a kit project to date and the cost would not
> be too much higher.
>
>
> For your information,  my HAMECO AC-1 design as shown in the AC-1 group
> graphics section included a real SO-239 RF connector, ground lug, fuse
> holder, 1/4 inch key jack, and AC line cord clamp all mounted on the rear
> panel.  The front panel is silk screened over a Hammertone finish.
>
> Lee, w0vt
>
>
>
>
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