[Johnson] $500 Electronic T-R Switch

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 3/14/06, paul hendershott <pjhend at ameritech.net> wrote:
> The 2 TR switches are the two nicest I've probably ever seen. While I might prefer to put all that money toward a new boatanchor or two, I can understand the allure of a shiny, like new, BA accessory. When a simple N.O.S. 117VAC DowKey relay goes for $75-$145, those 2 dandy T/R boxes look like a dawg-gone deal! :-)

Yep, and as the saying goes "they're not making 'em anymore", at least
as far as the Johnson goes. Check the price of a new Dow Key and
you'll see it's not too far out of line.

While many, or maybe most of us wouldn't pay that kind of money for an
accessory, some obviously would. It makes me think of those in the
Yaecomwood plug-n-play crowd who look at us and say "they paid HOW
MUCH for that black junkbox?? It doesn't even have DSP! I paid less
for my HT!!" and so on.

It's amusing to take the original 40s-50s prices and run them through
an inflation calculator to adjust for today's world. You'd be
surprised how closely many items track to today's 'high' prices. That
said, some of us still enjoy the packratting and thrill of the hunt
almost as much as using the gear. Epay is convenient and purty (I use
it myself), but nowhere near as fun as a real hamfest or trading with
like-minded folks.

de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ