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Author Topic: I have frigging had it with Hams!  (Read 2684 times)

W9FIB

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #30 on: May 30, 2022, 04:20:17 AM »

It amazes me how people complain about the dumbing down of HR and then say that they can't or won't fix equipment. The ability to troubleshoot and repair IS the technical end of HR. And it isn't just the tranciever. It is any component in a station.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K7JQ

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #31 on: May 30, 2022, 07:22:22 AM »

It amazes me how people complain about the dumbing down of HR and then say that they can't or won't fix equipment. The ability to troubleshoot and repair IS the technical end of HR. And it isn't just the tranciever. It is any component in a station.

Ever since exam question pools have been published (the 1950’s?), ham radio has always been, as you say, “dumbed down”. And don’t talk about the elimination of the Morse code requirement as a contributing factor. That’s also just memorization and practice, not understanding complex electronic theory.

As I’ve said before, this is a very diverse hobby…people from all walks of life. Some are very technically inclined…tinkerers…and seldom, or never, actually operate on the air. Others are not that technically savvy, but are always on the air…the “appliance operators”. They also save our frequency spectrum by using it.

Without the appliance operators, all the remaining “techies” would be forced to home brew, troubleshoot, and repair their own equipment, because there wouldn’t be enough of a customer base for companies to manufacture equipment ;).
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G8FXC

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #32 on: May 30, 2022, 08:52:20 AM »

I built tube radios from scratch when I was first licenced - fifty years ago... But technology has changed - a lot! My first transmitter was three of four tubes, crystal controlled on 2m with screen grid modulation - it worked, but I would not want to be relying on it now! I have a degree in electronic engineering, but I would not consider myself competent to design and build something equivalent to the current output of Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood!

Martin (G8FXC)
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K7JQ

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #33 on: May 30, 2022, 10:12:12 AM »

I built tube radios from scratch when I was first licenced - fifty years ago... But technology has changed - a lot! My first transmitter was three of four tubes, crystal controlled on 2m with screen grid modulation - it worked, but I would not want to be relying on it now! I have a degree in electronic engineering, but I would not consider myself competent to design and build something equivalent to the current output of Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood!

Martin (G8FXC)

Exactly! Thank you, Martin. There's enough room in the hobby for all to enjoy it, no matter what their interest is. Just because it's "technical" in nature doesn't mean that you're expected to troubleshoot and repair today's sophisticated equipment...compact construction, tiny circuit boards stacked on each other, crowded with miniature surface-mount components. And have the diagnostic equipment to do so.
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W9FIB

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #34 on: May 31, 2022, 03:33:21 AM »

I built tube radios from scratch when I was first licenced - fifty years ago... But technology has changed - a lot! My first transmitter was three of four tubes, crystal controlled on 2m with screen grid modulation - it worked, but I would not want to be relying on it now! I have a degree in electronic engineering, but I would not consider myself competent to design and build something equivalent to the current output of Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood!

Martin (G8FXC)

Exactly! Thank you, Martin. There's enough room in the hobby for all to enjoy it, no matter what their interest is. Just because it's "technical" in nature doesn't mean that you're expected to troubleshoot and repair today's sophisticated equipment...compact construction, tiny circuit boards stacked on each other, crowded with miniature surface-mount components. And have the diagnostic equipment to do so.

Don't get me wrong...I totally agree. My point was the double standard some bring to the table. For me, I just roll with the punches. I do find ideas that come from being a designer of industrial controls and use that if possible. Doesn't mean I can design a radio from scratch either. So I guess that puts me in the appliance operator camp.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

KC3TEC

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #35 on: November 20, 2022, 01:41:22 PM »

OP: Sorry that this happened to you.

But don't lose faith. I have only been burned once in about 40 years. I think that it is a combination of luck and due diligence which has worked for me.

eBay is actually a good place to buy because if the item really is not as described, you generally have recourse and in most cases can return the item and get a refund. In fact, the flip side is that many dodgy buyers take advantage of same and screw legitimate sellers. They will buy, receive item, remove & swap needed parts in order to fix another unit, and then return the original item claiming that it was not as described. I no longer sell on eBay because it is too risky.

In your case, if the eBay seller listed the item as "Non-working, for parts only", then probably not much you can do even if they claimed otherwise in the description.

Another thing that has helped me is that I usually only buy from certain, known sellers. I also check feedback ratings and spend some time reading feedback even if its 100%. That helps me to form a gut feeling about the whole thing.

Again, I'm sorry. It really sux to take a hit like that. Here's to hoping that you get it resolved a come out with a working amplifier.
I have been using tamper resistant lables on equipment i sell for a long time.
And also marking equipment with a brinks marker (uv light needed to see mark)
Ive caught numerous scammers that way.
Also detailed photographs are taken including the tamper labels.
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K4GTE

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #36 on: November 20, 2022, 02:00:28 PM »

90% of the hams I've encountered at Hamfests have been decent, reputable sellers. But if you believe it's something unique to Hamfests, you haven't been paying attention.
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W9WQA

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #37 on: November 20, 2022, 06:06:26 PM »

So this is how it is? Lie to unsuspecting buyers at a Hamfest?

"Selling for a friend", "Worked last time I used it!"

Assume everything for sale is Broken unless proven otherwise.

I Purchased for a Good Used Working Price a 2 meter amp at Rarsfest that was DOA and then later purchased an Amp from Ebay, was told the pre-amp was out and clearly a main final was blown as well. A Motorola Final that is no longer made.

Tired of this crap and it needs to stop.

Who else here got ripped off? Sound off!

i just dont buy used on forum.
hamfest...i buy parts, nothing big.
i bought 1 radio, drake2b.
didnt work, seller took it and paid shipping.
thats all for me.
ebay and amazon cover me or i go to my credit card, never lost

oh , just ordered an sdr...
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KC3TEC

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #38 on: November 20, 2022, 06:08:37 PM »

I like to build them and i have the equipment i need.
Searching for a lot of plans for homebrew i usually find ones with unobtainable components or dead websites links.
But some i find are pay me to get the plans.

Some kits you buy may be nice kits but who wants to spend over 150 for a one or 2 watt kit.
Or pay 300 for a parts only radio.

Im not trying to be mr cheapskate but i am limited income.
A very large percentage of amateurs are retired and on a fixed income, a lot of the very young hams dont have an income yet as they are still in school.
So for both of these groups, the biggest impedance is the cost of the hobby.

And it doesnt help when lower cost equipment is "" not available"" but the higher priced one is.

It doesnt help much when you have hams with a lot of disposable income constantly crapping on those who cant afford the "shiny"
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K1VSK

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #39 on: November 20, 2022, 06:28:55 PM »

Hamfests used to be different in that everyone knew everyone else or at least knew someone who knew someone which might explain why people were honest then. Now, welcome to the new, improved progressive ham radio culture. Trust no one!
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N1GMV

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UPDATE:
« Reply #40 on: November 27, 2022, 05:41:56 AM »

Update, I repaired the amp after replacing a relay, resistor and a couple other parts I had to order from RF Parts. Got it working. So Into it for about $215 now.
The other Amp, was an easy repair, had that one going in under an hour.

I then bought another Amp, this one off Ebay and was sold AS-IS Parts-only.
LOL discovered that one worked fine didn't need a thing! Go figure.

I think integrity can be determined if the seller is wearing a Callsign badge and has the manuals or box that it came with. Everything else we need to by with caution.

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AI5BC

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #41 on: November 27, 2022, 07:01:15 AM »

Hamfests used to be different
Yep, they were much younger. Problem is it is the same tired old crowd of aging white male baby boomers.
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W9FIB

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #42 on: November 27, 2022, 10:21:32 AM »

Hamfests used to be different
Yep, they were much younger. Problem is it is the same tired old crowd of aging white male baby boomers.

Participate and change the demographic. Whining about it changes nothing other than some peoples' opinion of you.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K5DH

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #43 on: December 21, 2022, 06:28:40 AM »

We all know there are plenty of dishonest sellers out there.  There are also sellers who honestly know little or nothing about what they're trying to sell.  When buying used gear, you must use common sense and have realistic expectations.  If you allow yourself to be "taken", it's your fault.  Buyer beware! 

I have no qualms about buying used gear under the right circumstances.  Been doing it for decades.  But I'm smart about it.  If I can test the item myself, then I'll know it works.  If I can't test it myself but the seller is either someone I know personally or a well-known "good guy" with a reputation as an honest trader, then it's a low risk transaction and I don't worry about it.  In my 45 years as a Radio Amateur, I have NEVER been cheated by anyone who falls into either of those two categories. 

If I cannot test the item and I don't implicitly trust the seller, then I will attempt to buy the item using these two assumptions: (1) it does not work, and (2) I will likely be able to repair it myself.  I offer a "parts rig" price for the item, and if I get it, fine.  If I don't get it, that's fine, too. 

I will knowingly buy equipment that doesn't work and I know I can't repair it as long as it's worth the purchase price as a parts source for other projects. 

Again: Common sense and realistic expectations are the order of the day. 

73,
Dean K5DH
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KC3TEC

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Re: I have frigging had it with Hams!
« Reply #44 on: January 01, 2023, 09:26:59 AM »

 ;D :D :D you would be surprised how quickly the seller's might drop the price when you pull out a mini o- scope and pocket signal generator.
My ready bag has my portable oscope, generator, multimeter,  and wattmeter/dummyload
As well as battery, multiband radio, and wire antenna
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