[SixClub] Newly Licensed Operators & Sticker Shock

[Carl Braun]

Right on Steven.

Carl W1ZGZ


-----Original Message-----
From: sixclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:sixclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Steven Coles
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 9:31 AM
To: World Wide Six Meter Club
Subject: [SixClub] Newly Licensed Operators & Sticker Shock


All,



This seems to happen on nearly all ham groups these days:  Consider how a
newly licensed operator reads a thread with continuously escalating price
tags for even a used acceptable transceiver.  Next the new operator will
hear, "You have to have at minimum 2 11-element Yagis stacked on a 20-foot
tower."  Price that.  Next somebody says, "My $1700 23-skidoo transceiver
didn't work quite right until I bought the $350 XX-99 option."



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.



It doesn't take an economic genius to realize the Amateur Radio Magazines
making their money from the advertisements for $3500 products have to devote
a lot more space to reviews that to innovative improvements to low-end
products.



But a discussion board like this one, should the members wish, can encourage
home innovators to reveal how they fixed a POJ's shortcomings to make a
serious station.  I truly enjoy reports from home innovators who spend $15
to fix drift instead of buying a higher ticket rig.



Looks like another sporadic-E propagation day.



Best regards,



Steven, KD7YTE
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