The 1965 Drake TR-4 cost $585 with no options or accessories, not even a microphone or internal speaker.  That's $5,700 today.

 

In the 1970 the Heathkit HW-101 cost almost $2,000 in today's dollars.

 

Ham radio was really expensive before Japanese companies started introducing better design better quality ham gear 50 years ago.

 

Today, an hour with a study guide gets a prospective ham Technician Class with some old-timer's 1x3 call.  $20 gets him on 144/440 with a Chinese HT.  :-)

 

Mike / KK5F

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Gene Smar <ersmar@verizon.net>
Sent: Feb 7, 2024 7:05 PM

 

 
Nice radio, Ray, even after all these years.  I recall Collins adverts in QST in the 60s and really liked the appearance of the front panels.  Theirs and Drake's were awesome examples of great industrial design. Thanks.
 
73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F