Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 — I recent watched a YouTube video that suggested that the Icom IC-3000 was such a groundbreaking rig at an entry-level price that it will result in the price plummeting for the average old-school used ham transceiver.
Its an interesting speculation. While I have never owned or operated the IC-3000, it certainly is a very popular rig, and frankly, one that I plan to own in the future. The YouTube poster suggested that because the IC-3000 is such a great rig a good price, people will prefer to purchase one of those rigs rather than a 10, 15 or 20-year-old ham rig.
As interesting a theory as it is, I’m not buying it. Since my years in the hobby, there’s always some new, must-have transceiver out there that’s the cat’s meow. I expect there always will be.
But is it really forcing used HF rig prices down? Not that I’ve witnessed.
In fact, I suggest that used HF rig prices continue to either hold steady or increase over the past 10-15 years.
One of the best HF rigs I owned years back was the Kenwood TS-440S/AT with filters. It’s a great performing rig with that classic Kenwood transmit audio. I sold mine years ago for $325, which was a pretty top dollar. Check eBay now and the rig is going for $450-$585. The Kenwood TS-830S goes for upwards of $450 and up. The Yaesu FT-1000MP is listed in the $1500-$1700 range — higher than used examples sold for 10 years ago.
Of course, I suspect most people who buy these classic rigs want one, and aren’t buying their first rig. Price is supported by demand, and some of these classic rigs are classics that simply hold their values. Of older HF rigs, I don’t think I have ever found anyone selling a Tempo One station that actually works. The Tempo One rig doesn’t bring top dollar, lol.
NON-KENT KEY ARRIVES. Well, I’ll admit it — in a moment of weakness, I hit the “Buy It Now” button for the knock-off of the Kent Twin Paddle iambic key I wrote about in the previous entry.
The key works well, it really does, and its equipped with silver contacts. I’m still wondering if this key was an actual early version of the Kent iambic key. There are some important differences between this key and an actual Kent.
I would like to polish up the brass on the key, which will mean disassembly. Here’s hoping there aren’t a bunch of little springs or ball bearings that go flying hell, west and crooked when I tear into it!
I recently sold m Index Labs QRP rig, which helps build my ham radio fund. I have a couple other transceiver I need to post on eBay this weekend to finish raising enough cash for another rig.
TUNER TOUCH-UP. After the repairs I had to make to the MFJ-989C 3kW antenna tuner several months ago, I never had the opportunity to actually put the antenna tuner to work. Its deeper than the Heathkit SA-2060, my regular tuner, but it worked just fine. I used my MFJ 269C antenna analyzer to find the best settings per band, and I determined the coils on the roller inductor need to be cleaned up. The tuner worked fine, which I was happy to see.
I moved a lot of extra gear to the basement on a new set of shelves my son and I built; I have a Heathkit SA-2060 (meters are there but no SWR bridge or antenna switching). My son retrieved it this evening so I can put it in place here while I clean up the roller inductor coils.
I have seen a number of MFJ 989B and C model tuners go up for sale on eBay, and after doing some work on the ones I purchased (knowing they needed work), I’ve come to the conclusion that the tuner is very serviceable one for Amateur use.
The components are large and heavy duty; the early versions of the tuner are equipped with a traditional roller inductor rather than the AirCore roller inductor. I guess I have always been a little suspicious of the AirCore unit; but honestly, the main complaints I have read had to do with arcing — which can also happen with the traditional “cored” roller inductor. The problems with roller inductor tuners usually happen when they’re mistreated, i.e., you apply high power with a large mismatch, or adjust the roller with power applied.
And the MFJ-989 models have been sold as cheap as $130, which is one hell of a bargain when you consider the used price of comparable tuners like the Heathkit SA-2060, 2040, Palstar or Nye tuners.
In my library shack, I’ve been using the MFJ 300-watt roller tuner, the MFJ-969. The biggest difference is the caps are much smaller. This tuner has the AirCore inductor and has peformed well.
The one problem I’m going to fix is what I’ve diagnosed is a blown detector diode on the forward power meter circuit. Ever since that lightning strike last summer, the forward power meter hasn’t shown any indication. I have the diodes handy, so I’ll tackle that project this weekend, or that’s my plan.
73 es CUL … de KY4Z SK …. dit dit …