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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    345

    Default Disposal of equipment

    Like many others, I held a full call, amateur radio license for years, and worked DXCC QRP with homebuilt equipment, but I haven't been licensed for more than 20 years. I still have a shack full of radio equipment, ranging from 2m handhelds through to mobile, and desktop HF rigs. Plus of course, all the other stuff like cables, meters, antennas etc.

    I'm sure there are others in similar situations, so what have you done with all your old radio gear?

    With only 0.06% of the population being licensed, the second hand market is non-existent. Certainly understandable too. Why study for an exam for the privilege of talking to someone via a radio, when I can use a smart phone to video-chat with anyone, anywhere in the world?

    I guess amateur radio gear is kind of like a CRT TV - you can't even give it away.
    Banksia pod turning: Lamps | Goblet tealights | Winged bowl

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Not far enough away from Melbourne
    Posts
    4,200

    Default there are a few of us left...

    Hi Sjm,

    My girlfriend and I both hold current amateur radio licenses and while it is not as useful as it has been in the past we still find uses for it. We have 2m and 70cm mounted in the car, but not currently working until I find a free weekend to do a bit of work on it, and a HF rig we can run from the car in a fixed location. Amateur radio clubs are still training and testing new applicants for licenses so I dont think it is dead yet.

    Maybe if you contact a club they may be able to help you find a buyer.

    Doug
    I got sick of sitting around doing nothing - so I took up meditation.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    63

    Default disposal of equipment

    Hi,
    Contact the Victorian branch of the WIA they will put you on the right track
    If in doubt panic

  5. #4
    3RU is offline Electron controller/Manufacturer of fine shavings
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Burwood, Vic
    Posts
    151

    Default

    SJM,
    There are plenty of avenues in Amateur radio which is not just limited to talking with people overseas. The introduction of internet and the like, whilst it has taken some shine off the hobby, has actually opened up new avenues like IRLP and a swag of digital modes. Just a few of us still play with thermionic emission and know how to keep em glowing.

    Doug is right, the hobby is far from dead.

    If you want to sell your gear the place to go is VKHAM www.vkham.com but remember hams have deep pockets and short arms.

    3RU

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    ACT
    Posts
    144

    Default

    I'm not sure it's worth nothing. People still seem to want $350 for a basic FT-7.

    Some of the prices for used gear are crazy.......or maybe I have deep pockets and short arms as suggested by 3RU.

    My 430S keeps me happy.
    So many ideas........so little skill........

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    63

    Default disposal of equipment

    Hi,
    If all else fails do as I did with unwanted gear donate it to the Scouts it will be welcome there. You may be insulted with what some people will offer you for your gear

    Ron VK6RL
    If in doubt panic

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    McBride BC Canada
    Posts
    3,543

    Default

    When I decide to pack it all up (Yaesu FT901 loaded, etc) I'm going to donate the pile to the local club. Over my active years, I saw new Hams coming up without the $$$ for even half-decent gear. I'd like to see it end up with them.

    Hammarlund HQ129X and National NC57B rcvrs for boat anchors.

    Canada is supposed to have 2 official languages, English & French. Other than English, CW at 20wpm is, or has been, my only second language and I'm still quite proud of that small accomplishment.
    VE7APC

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    11

    Default Amateur radio lives

    Hi,
    The ham scene is alive and well:
    Morse is used more today than it was when amateurs had to pass a test in order to use it;
    Computers help to display the digital mode signals;
    The internet lets us link to site(s) around the world, regardless of conditions, and even let us direct our signal to particular stations, and is secure to boot;
    Aircraft body ducting and meteor showers are ways to extend signal propogation;
    Communicating on light beams is now possible, even reflecting off clouds along the way;
    The new VHF D-Star mode is nearly everywhere;
    Amateur TV is now digital and real time a la regular TV transmissions;
    Hand-held rigs are tiny and cheaper than their older cousins;
    Position reporting is now a big thing and easy to get involved in;
    Packet radio is enjoying a resurgence;
    Computer control of radio gear is very comprehensive;
    Remote control of base HF rigs is easy;
    Logging is now computerised and automatic, if you wish;
    Amateur Radio Operators are helping the Emergency Services and other organisations in times of disaster;
    Octagon look to hams as a source of reliable operators/officials for their events.

    Most amateurs find themselves specialising on certain facets as there is so much to choose from. The old difficulties have faded, new challenges have come along, propagation keeps us guessing. But above all, a lot of the new technology available to the public and scientists alike, has been developed by licenced Amateurs.

    Nearly all astronauts are amateurs. Some of the back-up comms to the shuttles and the space station is via amateur circuits.

    Doing the training to get a Foundation Licence can be done in a week-end and lets one onto certain bands at lower powers and using pre-built gear. A Standard Licence is the next step and gives nearly all privileges at high power and most bands. An Advanced Licence, the old "full call, or Z call" gives access to some special bands and very high power, on application.

    Very alive, indeed!

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    63

    Default disposal of equipment

    Quote Originally Posted by tarwood View Post
    Hi,
    The ham scene is alive and well:
    Morse is used more today than it was when amateurs had to pass a test in order to use it;
    Computers help to display the digital mode signals;
    The internet lets us link to site(s) around the world, regardless of conditions, and even let us direct our signal to particular stations, and is secure to boot;
    Aircraft body ducting and meteor showers are ways to extend signal propogation;
    Communicating on light beams is now possible, even reflecting off clouds along the way;
    The new VHF D-Star mode is nearly everywhere;
    Amateur TV is now digital and real time a la regular TV transmissions;
    Hand-held rigs are tiny and cheaper than their older cousins;
    Position reporting is now a big thing and easy to get involved in;
    Packet radio is enjoying a resurgence;
    Computer control of radio gear is very comprehensive;
    Remote control of base HF rigs is easy;
    Logging is now computerised and automatic, if you wish;
    Amateur Radio Operators are helping the Emergency Services and other organisations in times of disaster;
    Octagon look to hams as a source of reliable operators/officials for their events.

    Most amateurs find themselves specialising on certain facets as there is so much to choose from. The old difficulties have faded, new challenges have come along, propagation keeps us guessing. But above all, a lot of the new technology available to the public and scientists alike, has been developed by licenced Amateurs.

    Nearly all astronauts are amateurs. Some of the back-up comms to the shuttles and the space station is via amateur circuits.

    Doing the training to get a Foundation Licence can be done in a week-end and lets one onto certain bands at lower powers and using pre-built gear. A Standard Licence is the next step and gives nearly all privileges at high power and most bands. An Advanced Licence, the old "full call, or Z call" gives access to some special bands and very high power, on application.

    Very alive, indeed!
    I do not agree with a few of your statements. Firstly there is no where near the CW traffic now as there was 10 to 15 years ago and a Z call was not able to use HF bands they had the higher VHF, UHF only. Ron VK6RL
    If in doubt panic

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Byron Bay, Australia
    Posts
    92

    Default ham gear

    Quote Originally Posted by sjm View Post
    Like many others, I held a full call, amateur radio license for years, and worked DXCC QRP with homebuilt equipment, but I haven't been licensed for more than 20 years. I still have a shack full of radio equipment, ranging from 2m handhelds through to mobile, and desktop HF rigs. Plus of course, all the other stuff like cables, meters, antennas etc.

    I'm sure there are others in similar situations, so what have you done with all your old radio gear?

    With only 0.06% of the population being licensed, the second hand market is non-existent. Certainly understandable too. Why study for an exam for the privilege of talking to someone via a radio, when I can use a smart phone to video-chat with anyone, anywhere in the world?

    I guess amateur radio gear is kind of like a CRT TV - you can't even give it away.
    when the time came for me, I put my ft757 on ebay, $450, sold in 5 minutes...go figure...a non working yaesu hf receiver-$100; collectors are chasing old,good branded gear!
    VK ham is another venue; cheers, Raul (ex)VK2TPJ

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