As you said, it isn't the fifties anymore. No one sells rigs just for a
single HF band, unless they are oddball, low power rigs without enough power
to be useful.

Icom makes a low end rig, the IC-718, that offers 100 watts output that
performs reliably and is very useable. Yaesu and Kenwood probably offer rigs
in the same performance class at similar prices.

Today's currency (USD) is worth ten times less than the same currency in the
fifties. Multiply old prices by ten to see what they would cost today. You
will find that you are getting much more radio capability and reliability
for your dollar today than you ever could have dreamed of in the fifties.

Ed, NM2K


"Jay" wrote in message
. ..
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I know next to nothing about
this topic, however, the radio is not for me. It's for my dad. He was very
active in radios from around WWII thru the 50s. His job and family came
first though, so I guess he had to let some of his hobbies go. Since he's
retired and doesn't get around as well as he used to, he's thinking about
getting back into radio.

I think he got "sticker shock" when he looked at a trade magazine
recently. I tried to tell him we aren't in the 50s anymore and he said
"Yea, but dam they're high."

My question is: How much should an 80 meter radio w/antenna sell for?
We're not talking top of the line here, but quality and reliability are
important (as is cost).

Any information, links, suggestions, opinions, etc. will be most
welcome. Thank You in advance. TC.