http://www.elecraft.com/
You can have a very good rig, and not only fix it, but you can build it also. The new K3 is coming out in a month or so, and includes AM, with a sync detector and 8 band EQ TX and RX! Its sort of a flex radio in a box, without the computer. I think you can get an old broadcast transmitter for free sometimes, and old heathkit ssb gear almost as cheap. I think it's a wash as far as price goes. Why anyone would WANT to talk on ssb is beyond me, a cell phone sounds better and costs less most times. I can see why the hobby is shrinking, take a youngster to listen to ssb quacking and they think voip is a lot cooler and even texting is better. SSB is a joke compared to voip and a web cam... Brett > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Todd, KA1KAQ > Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:02 PM > To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service > Subject: [AMRadio] AM vs SSB: Cost > > Good comments and first hand reports on pricing and deals. > > My feeling is that AM is cheaper to get into from a builder's > perspective, since SSB gear isn't too builder-friendly in comparison. > AM is more forgiving and less complex in design, while it gives a much > more pleasant audio result. > > Used commercial SSB gear can be bought dirt cheap now, probably > cheaper overall than commercial AM gear. Partly because the market has > been saturated with cheap Japanese gear over the years, and partly > because of the resurgence in AM interest. The focus with SSB (and the > ARRL, it seems) is on owning new equipment that you can't > realistically service, and upgrading it every few years. This was the > reason actually given to me by the ARRL New England director some > years ago at a hamfest when I asked him why there weren't more > articles about building and servicing in QST. No one can fix today's > gear, so there's no point in dealing with the electronics side of > amateur radio anymore. > > And, while the latest/greatest Yaecomwood box will cost you dearly, > there are old tubes rigs that will cost even more when fully restored. > > To me, AM is the best all-around bargain. It's better from a building > and maintenance perspective, more interactive, sounds better, and > allows the enjoyment of new and old gear alike. Tube-type SSB gear can > be fun too, but as others have noted, there is a lot less patience in > the world of SSB for a signal that wanders a bit. > > I've also found AMers to be pretty interesting folks too, but that's > another topic. > > ~ Todd, KA1KAQ > ______________________________________________________________ > AMRadio mailing list > List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:[email protected] > To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with > the word unsubscribe in the message body. > ______________________________________________________________ AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Partner Website: http://www.amfone.net Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:[email protected] To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
