[SixClub] Newly Licensed Operators & Sticker Shock

[Howard Bingham]

I haven't seen any 6m rigs at Houston area swap meets either..

Other than MFJ kits, the Ranger RCI-5054dx100 is probably the most 
affordable rig, as most HF radios with 6m capacity cost many times 
this.  Alinco & Yaesu make FM radios with 6m among the VHF 
selections, but these cost at least as much, if not more than the 
"all-mode" Ranger radio.

Howard Bingham
KE5APJ  mobile

--
At 09:51 AM 6/4/2006, Michael (KA5CVH) Urich wrote:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steven Coles" <scoles at isomedia.com>
>Subject: [SixClub] Newly Licensed Operators & Sticker Shock
>
>
>I've heard that various barriers, of which sticker shock must be a major
>one, prevent 50% of new hams from ever getting on the air.  A lot of teens
>and retired license holders don't have even $200 for a station.
>
>Mike wrote
>
>I hear what you are saying but I disagree.  I tend to believe its a matter
>of priorities in many if not most cases.
>
>What would you give up to get on the air?  You don't have a right to a Yaesu
>FTDX9000-Contest for $50 anymore than you have the right to a new Lexus for
>$1000.  I mentor a number of new hams from time to time and I constantly
>advise them to just find something used in their price range and get on the
>air, the newer and better stuff will come in time.  As they make contacts
>and friends they can begin expressing their desire for something better and
>hopefully WITHOUT WHINING let people know that they are on a fixed income
>and really need some help looking for an inexpensive upgrade.  Unfortunately
>in this cradle to grave mentality we seem to be stuck in no one wants to
>make sacrifices and they want it now.
>
>I know a local ham who is retired and while on a fixed income, is not
>hurting that was complaining about having to pay $10 to take the ARECC-I
>test at a local VE-Test session.  He thought that the government should
>cover the cost because he's retired and afterall its EmComm related.  After
>listening to his complaints I noticed the cell phone on his side as he was
>headed out the door to get in his 30,000+ automobile and go home to watch
>some ball game on cable.  I wanted to scream "SHUT UP ALREADY AND PAY THE
>STINKING TEN BUCKS"
>
>Anyone in business will tell you if you can't cover the costs of raw
>products, space, manufacturing equipment, payroll and TAXES you won't stay
>in business very long.  The laborer, whether the employee building the
>product, or the business owner who has put capital on the line that pays all
>the above, is due is wage.  If they can't make a profit we all go back to
>scrounging for parts and building our own gear from copied schematics on
>breadboards.  OK, maybe I exaggerated a bit.  Now, OTOH, I too would like to
>see more inexpensive gear offered by the big three.  Yaesu recently dropped
>the FT-840.  Apparently there was not enough interest in the radio to keep
>it profitable otherwise I don't think it would have disappeared.
>
>Soap box rant off.
>
>YMMV
>
>Mike Urich KA5CVH
>http://ka5cvh.com/democ.htm
>
>
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