[Premium-Rx] The price of our Premier receivers

[Michael O'Beirne]

Good morning Group,

Will the price of our prized radios go up or down?  Tough one - it all
depends on the maker, the condition, the rarity, the availability of spare
parts and the general economic situation.  One has also to view this issue
from a user or a collector's perspective.  There is no doubt that in a few
years (arguably already) the electrical performance of our "big boys' toys"
will be overtaken by amateur products - vide the Elecraft K3 - but I
personally much prefer a lumpy 19 inch box that cost a fortune to build.

Classic Collins has the name and fabulous looks and will probably get more
and more expensive.  Valves and most other bits are still available and
there is tremendous support from the "community".

HF2050 and similar - can't say from this side of the Pond.  Dead rare over
here and never used one, but the lengthy technical review by John Wilson in
SWM was not encouraging.

Harris HF590s - probably coast along and drop as newer technology overtakes.

Racal - It all depends on the condition.  In UK, classics such as the RA17L
have dropped to about 100 Pounds or less, but then most are pretty clapped
out (but are repairable with time and skill).  A really good one will sell
for hundreds and quickly.  SSB/ISB converters are rare and going up.  The
RA217 and 1217 series will drop as they are not much good except to fill
vacant space in a rack.

Good RA1772s are def on the increase as they are
dead good and most don't have discontinued ICs, but dry joints can be a
problem.  I'm hanging on to mine.

RA1792s were very expensive.  I paid
1,200 Pounds for mine in pristine condition 10 years back, but now worth 500
Pounds or less.  Most are NOT in good order having been worked to death by
professional "listeners" and go for 200 - 300 Pounds tops.  Issues of duff
tantalums as well, but they can be replaced.  Non-backlit ones will drop
further in price.

Eddystone classics - keep going up and up and are handsome, but in reality
they are not much good apart from the hernia-inducing 880/2.

The RA3700 series prices will probably stay stable as I think they are very
nice to use, have excellent software, fairly rare, the last of Racal, and
the smooth tuning feel is unrivalled.  They are better built than the 1792
series.

Plessey - the 2250s are rare.  Main buyer seems to have been the Royal Navy.
Excellent RF performance and a very good recovered audio.  Some prof
engineers reckon they are the best ever made by Plessey.  Prices will
probably go up.  2280s have a certain cachet and 21st century looks but I
don't like them.  Prices will drop particularly as there is a serious IC
re-supply problem.

Boatanchors like the AR88 and HRO.  Poor ones will stay still or drop.  Good
ones will def increase for collectors.  I know of a recent one here brand
new, unused in the original RCA crate that was bought for about 700 Pounds.
And it worked first time!

"Spy" sets such as the B2 suitcase - oodles of nostalgia; now 1,500 Pounds 
and rising for pristine models.

Of course if JP Morgan, UBS or your company's pension fund ends up in 
Chapter
11, we'll all be too broke to buy much!
73s
Michael
G8MOB