[SixClub] Newly Licensed Operators & Sticker Shock

[Howard Bingham]

While both Alinco & Yaesu make HF/VHF mobiles that have 6 meters 
availability, the Ranger MCI-5054dx-100 makes for a good "all mode" 
6m transceiver (base or mobile) which doesn't cost an arm & a leg to 
buy & as several others have pointed out, second hand units can 
occasionally be found on e-bay and in ham shops as trade in's..

Howard Bingham
KE5APJ

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At 09:30 AM 5/28/2006, Steven Coles wrote:
>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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