Recently, I bought a Kenwood TR-7950 with tone board for $128, including shipping...or at least, that's what the eBay listing said. When I opened it up, there was no tone board inside. When I told the seller that I was going to have to spend $60+shipping to add a tone board, and that I wasn't happy, he claimed that he got 10 of these radios at a swap meet, and sold the other 9 @ $180 apiece, and I was the only one to have a problem (he also admitted to having copied the listing from some other ad word for word, and didn't know what a tone board was, nor what it was for). Since the others went for $180, he was mad that I was complaining. I couldn't find any eBay sales for these radios @ $180. He claims to have 4 eBay accounts, 3 of which had 100% positive feedback (but not the one I bought from). I did see one, in the original box, with manual and all accessories, with the aftermarket tone board installed for $250, but the rest peaked at $67.99.

From what I've found, these radios go for around $50 or a little more at hamfests in working condition without the tone board. At this point, if this seller told me that water was wet, I would require independent confirmation. Can anyone give me their experiences on how much the TR-7950 goes for with and without the tone board? Are they considered collectors items?

It's a good radio, but for $180, I could get a brand new 2m mobile.

Thanks,

-- Tom

In the past, I would have accused you of being overly cautious. However, at least in the ham gear category, I've had some recent bad luck.

My first bum purchase was a non-working (contrary to what the listing said) Palomar Noise Bridge.

My latest was a Kenwood TR-7950 w/tone board for $128.00, including shipping. Not bad, until you consider that:

a.) There was no tone board in it,
b.) The guy didn't have any idea what a tone board was for.

So, to get it working like I want it, it will cost me as much or more as a new radio. I've ordered the tone board from Piexx. I have to see if feeBay is doing anything about retaliatory negative feedbacks, and I might leave him a detailed negative, although I normally don't bother.

If the original poster does come into a few bucks, I would recommend going to a hamfest ACCOMPANIED BY AN EXPERIENCED HAM.

-- Tom

As far as prices go, yes, it may be hard to find a low-priced HF rig if you are looking on eBay or the various classified ads sites. However, check into a local radio club. You may find help there. At my club, I picked up a RadioShack HTX-10 real cheap ($5), and at an auction to dispose of radio equipment for a silent key's family, I got a Kenwood R-1000 receiver ($100), a Yaesu FT212RH ($50) and a Yaesu FT690RIII (no battery pack, but the 10w amp) ($100). I think I got a 14 amp power supply for $10 or $20 also.

Keep in mind that a club will probably expect you to help out, and not just get help. Field Day is coming up, check around and see who needs volunteers...

-- Tom

I've been to exactly two hamfests (FrostFest in Richmond, VA and the Timonium, MD hamfest). At both, I noticed things that *I* think don't belong at a hamfest, but your mileage may vary. I objected to the illegal CB radios and 11-meter 100w amps on general principle, but after reading the posts here, I realize that there *may* be people who can buy these and turn them into useful ham projects. I don't have that ability, but you might. The computer gear didn't interest me, and I found it annoying, but then again, I realize hams may put old PCs to use somehow.

I struggle to find the link between ham radio and scented candles, old cameras, and a "Dennis the Menace" tiddly-wink set (I AM NOT MAKING THAT LAST ONE UP, IT WAS AT TIMONIUM!).

If I ever set up a hamfest, I would be more careful what is allowed in, but that is a big IF, since setting up a hamfest is a lot of hard work, and for now, I will just attend others and maybe grumble a bit. Thanks to those out there that do the work and make the hamfests successful.

I do like the suggestion of dividing things up a bit like ham gear over hear, flea market over there, and food in the middle. Be sure to put the badge makers and call-sign clothing people in with the ham gear.

73,

-- Tom

Funny you should mention Indonesia. At one time (maybe still) they were on PayPal's excrement list for the amount of stolen credit card numbers/PayPal accounts, and they recommended that sellers don't ship to them.

If your credit card number was compromised, and Texas Towers took an order for a very high-end radio with it, and shipped it to somewhere that they just assumed *you* were, would you just say, "Well, I should have been more careful with my account number" and eat the loss, or would you call the card company, initiate a chargeback, and have Texas Towers eat the loss? You may have valid points with some other parts of your post, but definitely not the part I quoted. For any but the LARGEST companies, your method would be financial suicide.

73,

-- Tom

My order of preference:

1.) Paper QSLs (yes, I'm weird in other ways as well, like I love to operate QRP)
2.) LoTW (I do this, but I still like paper)
3.) eQSL (I confirm contacts, but generally don't log mine in first)
4.) QRZ (Again, I confirm contacts, but generally don't log mine in first)

I realize that some people make too many contacts for paper to be practical. I generally check QRZ to see if the other party does QSL by mail before sending a card, and then, unless told otherwise, I send an SASE or SAE + IRC or green stamps. When I did the VA QSO Party, I found a few on QRZ who don't QSL at all (boo!). At my level of activity, mail is no problem for me.

73,

-- Tom

I'm not sure what to tell you. I have only been doing this for a little over two years, so I'm still building my collection. I don't know that anyone else would want them, just like I'm not sure what I'd do with someone else's cards. They wouldn't reflect any accomplishment of mine, only indicate that I knew some guy who talked to all these people.

Some cards are at least pretty like postcards, but others, like the ones I send out, are kind of standard -- no photo, just a star on the state saying where I am, and what clubs I belong to.

73,

-- Tom

He was still BROADCASTING on 14.275 this weekend...

-- Tom

I never mix up "loose" and "lose". However, due to old age, I occasionally at least start to use the incorrect word out of "there", "their", and "they're".

Part of it may be an addiction to autocorrect in word processing programs. I grew up without them, and had to learn to spell.

One strange things about my spelling is that I usually spell out "catalogue" rather than the more common "catalog". I'm not sure why. I'm not even sure how "right" it is, I guess I'll go look it up and see if it's something I have to work on.

That last sentence reminds me: A lot of people interchange "its" and "it's".

I guess I'll start correcting people when I get a little older and more curmudgeonly. Or, if they make a really stupid argument and I want something extra to blast them with. 

-- Tom

There was something in either PopComm or Monitoring Times a few months back about a certain brand of "grow light" bulbs recommended for...er...basement gardening that would produce RFI at multiples of something like 2.6Mhz.

-- Tom

My current antenna is a random wire that runs out my bedroom window and out along the back fence (wood fence). Because of a power line that runs diagonally across my back yard, I don't dare put it high. I have a LDG 4:1 balun, and two different tuners I can use (LDG Z11Pro, Emtech ZM-2). My main radio is a Yaesu FT817ND (no amp).

With this, I've reached as far away as Serbia on 20m SSB. This depends A LOT on the antenna and receiver on the receiving end! The farthest QSO (as opposed to quick exchange of callsigns and signal reports) was to Spain.

When I start to use CW and PSK31, I expect better things. I just wanted to know that just about anything is possible, but to maximize your contacts with low power, SSB is not the way to go.

-- Tom

AHEM...I have an FT817ND and I've reached Serbia on 5w SSB (still waiting for the card, though). It IS a real rig!

I have the TCXO and 300hz filter options. No, it's not cheap, but you will notice quite a difference when it kicks in. I wanted the 500hz, but would have had to wait, since they were out of stock, but they did have 300hz filters, so I went with it. No regrets.

I will be starting to do some PSK31 soon. No amp for me.

-- Tom

You didn't mention what area in Missouri you were. Is there only one club in the area? I'm in Alexandria, VA, and there are several clubs in our area, with each club operating its own repeaters.

If you have more than one, have you found the same experience at all of them?

Sometimes, offering to help with a project is a good ice-breaker. You may not know everything about radio, but if you are capable, helping with some muscle at an antenna-raising party would get you introduced to the gang. While some people are more than glad to help a new ham, I realize that others can't be bothered. Hopefully, you'll find one soon.

-- Tom Kirby KJ4FUU

Don't sell the FT817ND short. That's my main radio.

While it puts out 5w max, that can get you out there. I use it, an Emtech ZM-2 tuner (built from a kit), an LDG 4:1 balun, and a random wire and I've had QSOs to Spain, Minnesota, Florida, and other places from Alexandria, VA (SSB, not CW). The also have a LDG Z11Pro tuner, but the Emtech is what I use mostly (no power required). It will run with smaller batteries than an 857. I did get the TCXO and the 300hz CW filter, so that added to the cost.

I realize that it's a bit like tying one hand behind your back, but I've built up a nice collection of QSL cards using this setup. For portable operation, I have a BlueStart P1 and a PAR EndFedZ 40/20/10.

If you only have Technician privileges, then the only band you can do SSB on HF is 10 meters, which isn't all that open right now, so keep that in mind before you follow the QRP route. Maybe the 857 will work for you, but I couldn't lug that much battery power on a hike, since it's all I can do to haul my big hiney up the trail.

If you are planning on operating on the trail, think your antenna/tuner situation through. If you will be operating 100w, you will need a tuner that can handle it easily, or an already-well-tuned antenna. You may want a manual tuner to avoid a little more battery drain.

Good luck,

-- Tom Kirby KJ4FUU

Don't forget about used radios. I recently bought an old Yaesu FT212RH for about $50. It did come with the tone board, but it doesn't have that many memories. The only thing really wrong with it is the light doesn't work, but it receives and transmits just fine.

When buying used, just make sure that it has the capability of sending the tone, or you will be limited in your repeater access.

-- Tom KJ4FUU