[ICOM] The law of diminishing returns

[Donald Sanders]

John, I am in a similar boat. Thought I live on Soc Sec and some part-time
pastoral counseling work with occasional donations. I have a IC735 that I
also love and has been a workhorse since 1987 when I got it. I also was
fortunate to pick up a TS530SP about 4 years ago at a give away price I
couldn't refuse. So they allow me to go mobile, portable, or fixed
operation.
I also have a couple QRP 5 watt rigs for 40 and 20 that I take on vacation
or traveling.
With a small antenna tuner I can use a variety of antennas, though I like my
2 EL 5 band Skylane Quad and 80 meter Carolina Windom. For mobile I have a
bugcatcher and a screwdriver antenna.
I have been tempted to sell everything and get a IC 7000 but can't resolve
the dilemma, same as you, that the extra money may not give much return in
operating. The only thing I would see is a smaller station and downsizing of
the shack, YL would love that. The only reason to get rid on some of the 400
and 900 series radios is the problems with displays , etc. That's why I like
the older rigs for my operating.
Oh Yeah, I did splurge a couple years ago and got a GAP DSP unit and that
has helped in many cases when noise was bad. Fortunately where I live now is
in the country and noise is usually S3 or less.
So I hope this helps your deliberations.
Healthfully yours,
                          DON W4BWS
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Geiger" <johngeig at yahoo.com>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>; <dx-list at yahoogroups.com>;
<icom at mailman.qth.net>; <yaesu at contesting.com>; <yaesu at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 10:06 PM
Subject: [ICOM] The law of diminishing returns


> Here is a question I have about station design, but
> first let me set up the situation:
>
> Current setup-I recently picked up a rig in good
> condition that does a pretty good job for me.  It
> covers HF and 6 meters (my favorite band) and knocks
> the noise out at my QTH as good as any rig I have
> seen.  It is not considered a contesting rig or big
> gun DX rig, but I do like it and it does all the
> bands/modes that I am currently interested in.
> I won't list the brand or model to avoid biasing
> responses from people who love or don't like that
> brand or model.
>
> Current operating-DXing, casual contesting, and some
> ragchewing, plus hunting grid squares on 6m.  I have a
> full time job, and a fairly young family with a 3 1/2
> year old daughter. Just can't get alot of time in
> front of the rig, especially for hard core contesting.
>  Plus I have a fairly simple antenna system (2 element
> mini quad) but have worked 310 countries, and did 850
> QSOs a few years ago in the 10 meter contest for my
> best contest effort ever (pre daughter days).
>
> Now here is my question.  Given that I am a fairly
> limited budget, when do I hit the point of diminishing
> returns.  By that I mean, when does spending extra
> money to upgrade to another radio not pay for itself
> in the extra performance you buy.  Would spending an
> extra $800 to upgrade to a 756PRO or FT1000MP really
> be worth it?  Given my operating style, would I be
> getting my money's worth out of that extra money?
> That would be pushing things a bit financially, but it
> wouldn't make up homeless or starving, or anything
> like.
>
> I am sure that others have similiar situations and
> similar questions.  So when do you hit the point where
> the extra money isn't worth the extra performance?
>
> 73s John
>
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