[SixClub] 6M rigs and value

[RICHARD BOYD]

I've skimmed some of the previous messages on this subject....

I think there are a good many choices for less than $1,000.  I have a couple of the Yaesu FT-847 radios.  I think they can be had used for well under $1,000, maybe half that.  They cover 160-6 and 2, and 432, and all the HF broadcast, etc. in between.  I'm very impressed with it.

Personally, if I was on a tight budget, I would definitely go for a used one rather than new.  You can almost always get a lot more radio for the money that way.

I knew a guy who could have bought a like-new Yaesu FT-1000MP but preferred to buy a brand new Kenwood TS-440 for the same money, because he'd waited 'til age 65, when he retired, to get into ham radio -- he'd wanted to for a long time -- and felt he "owed it to himself" to get that "new car smell," a radio all wrapped up and sealed, styrofoam and plastic, etc.  He wanted to open up the package on a "brand new radio."  I can understand that.  But....between a lower level new radio or a higher level used radio, I'd almost always take the used radio...myself.

And I've seen Drake TR-6 radios sell for $200 or so.  I think that would be an adequate 6M radio if you're really on that tight a budget.  Although the biggest bargain may be an HF radio that has 6M "thrown in."

As far as the cost of the ham radio hobby, in general, I'm somewhat surprised to hear anyone say it's expensive.  First, I think ham radio has never been so affordable, because of generation after generation of new gear coming out that has pushed down the price of gear a generation or two or three old, that is still excellent.  And given that $500 or $1,000 isn't worth as much in 2006 as it was in 1996 or 1986 or 1976, 1966 or 1956.  Really, I'm pretty amazed at some of the high quality gear that's available new for $2,000 or less, $1,000 or less, or used for 50% or less of the new price.

I have seen many used rigs sell for $200 or even $100, still completely functional.  And I've given up on taking tribanders and other HF beams to hamfests -- no one wants to buy used it seems; they'd rather buy a new one, though the new ones have gotten a lot more expensive, tracking the price of aluminum.  That preference is the result of widespread affluence, I believe.  But for someone willing to get a used antenna, tribanders can be had for $50 or $100 or $150.  6M beams?  Used for $20-$50.  Or build your own from aluminum from any used antennas you can scrounge -- which is generally possible to do.  Or put up a dipole, which costs almost nothing.  But, I have been given 6M yagis on several occasions -- "You want it?  Come pick it up."

Now, this entails being in a couple ham clubs and getting to know people.  You then hear about these sorts of things, someone has one laying in the weeds behind his garage and would be glad to give it to someone who will use it.  I do think new hams are less likely to have the connections or know the ropes to be able to get a lot of these deals.  The flip side:  A lot of people will be willing to give a break to a new guy and help him get on the air, loaning, selling, or giving gear to him that they wouldn't give to a veteran ham who already has gear.

I've also thought of the comparison of the cost of the ham radio hobby compared to other "men's hobbies," like golf, boats, even fishing, wood working, hunting.  I've observed that gear and fees for these things has tended to go up, tracking the economic factors.  I think ham radio at least can be less expensive than any of these.

73 - Rich, KE3Q