Since Cycle 25 sucks, I thought I would get serious about revamping one of the Hot Water rigs. Please check your storage lockers, in the attic space or under the workbench. It doesn't have to be working just all there.
[Checked the MUF (Maximum Usable Frequency) chart for today for Southern California -- if we are lucky maybe 3oM. Strange times as checking the MUFF used to mean something entirely different.]
Perhaps some blog readers belong to clubs that have donated gear for sale and so could you possibly check that for me as well.
Another bust yesterday with the rebuilt ZIA as 20M was dead as a doornail. I would hope we get some sort of an opening so I could at least evaluate why it was in the back of the closet. It puts out about 4 watts, and I certainly can hear weak signals from my signal generator -- but a couple of on the air QSO's would open the door to the mystery.
I keep looking on eBay and some of those who post on there must be smoking hemp rope. I saw an Atlas 215X listed for $1700 and most of the Heath Monobanders are around $200 with shipping and many of those are pretty beat up.
Many other vintage 1960-1980 rigs are listed for more than they originally cost. Sold as is, untested and/or for parts or repair, that is a real pig in a poke.
This pricing situation with beat up Boat Anchors must lead to some interesting marketing decisions by current manufacturers. If the prices on old junk are high that opens the door to overpricing new stuff. Just Think $1700 for an Atlas or $1200 for an ICOM IC7300 that could be priced at $1100 and still make lots of money.
Hans Summers is selling a built version of his new QRP SSB transceiver for $185. This product the QMX Plus was showcased several weeks ago at FDIM. His Company QRP Labs has been churning out products that are well designed, work well and by comparison cost pennies.
I would have to seriously ask why I personally would want to buy a single band 20-year-old MFJ SSB transceiver that cost more ($205) and has less capability and whose market value is less after it has received the N6QW customization. It is all about economics.
In case you didn't believe me here is that $1700 Atlas Radio.
Again, you have some great options such as the QMX Plus or even homebrew a rig.
In my case I have a penchant for doing the weird like installing a Digital Display in a Heathkit HW-101 or converting the Model 540 Analog Ten Tec Triton IV to the Model 544 Digital Triton IV or building a rig inside a Champagne bottle. I just have a vision of a Monoband Heathkit SSB transceiver with the JF3HZB dial (and digital LO) in place of the drifty stock Analog VFO. Help N6QW achieve that goal.
Them that know can make things go.
73's and TT
Pete N6QW