[Johnson] Viking II panels

[Lee Bahr]

I have two (2) Viking 2s that need total painting, one (1) Viking 500 with
same, and a Valiant I with same.  The truth is, it is not worth investing
this kind of money in those rigs when you consider your own time in parts
and labor restoring the rest of the radio.  I'll either buy a better looking
radio, painting/silk screen it myself, or living with them the way they are
now.  This is not a put down but reality.  It simply is not in the economics
for me to spend this kind of money on the radios.  If I did this, and then
sold the radios, I would be hard pressed to get my money out of them when
considering purchase price, restoration of the electronics and then the
painting costs.  Sure, they would look great, and I would get pleasure out
of them but I get pleasure out of other things too and this pleasure would
be further down the food chain then some other pleasure.  (Don't go there)!
I wouldn't put $4000 installing a replacement motor in a $1000 car either.
That's the problem with all this.  I understand people don't work for free
and I don't blame them for wanting to get paid for doing a service.  They
should not be expected to work for free either.  However, demand for a
service is based on the buyers utility, not the sellers costs  and profit.
That's the problem with all this.  Demand can be raised with a seller
finding a way to provide a service at a more economical method if there is
such a method.  Does this make sence?  Again, I am not putting anyone down.
I'm just trying to explain how supply and demand works.

I am not a cheap skate.  I own a KW-1, Johnson desk KW, SX-88, many Collins
S-line pieces, Many Drake  pieces, Two Vik 500s, 3 Vik IIs, numerous
Rangers, R-390A, numerous SP600s, etc, etc.  I have THOUSANDS invested in
old radios.  Maybe 500 old boat anchors or more.  I'm not bragging but just
trying to make a point.  Demand does not just come just because one has the
cash to pay for a service.  The Rotary have a saying,  "It ain't a good deal
unless it's a good deal for everybody."  So I ask myself, should I put $350
in paint for this radio or should I put the $350 somewhere else.  Each of us
makes that choice on his own.  Are there radios out there needing a service?
Sure there are plenty of them.  Oh yes, one more thing, I have a Globe King
500C too that could use a paint job, but, not for $800.  Just my feelings
and opinions.  Maybe others value all this for a higher price then me.  If
this is true then demand for the service will be there for the service
provider and I will be left out in the bitter cold.  Such is life.  I can't
take them with me anyway and life is short to begin with!  Unfortunately.
This is the reality of this whole thing.  I guess if we all had more money
then we knew what to do with, price would be no object in the decission
making process for each of us. Unfortunately, that's not the real world.
Lee Bahr, w0vt



> > Johnson Vik-II
> > I have asked this question before. Is there any interest in refinishing
=
> > this radio @ $350. complete? Thats the same price as a Valiant, btw.
> > I would have to come up with artwork & screens. I own one of these so I
=
> > can easily do that. And because of that I would be willing to "roll into
=
> > production" starting with two jobs. Still I NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY ARE =
> > INTERESTED IN SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY on Vik-IIs. Its a heck of a =
> > transmitter, the only one that I know of that was designed & build Mil =
> > Spec by Johnson in that era.
>