On 28 Nov 2005 06:06:48 -0800, wrote:

I think a fully loaded multiband fresh
boatanchor should sell quite nicely for
$199.95 it if offers compareable features.

Wow, pie-in-the-sky pricing!

My guess is that if you wanted to replicate a mid-60's vintage Swan 350
from scratch (but using actually obtainable final tubes rather than
sweep tubes) you'd be looking at several tens of thousands of dollars
in up-front tooling and it'd cost about $2000 or $2500 for each one you
produce.

They listed for $420 (just for the rig, add on more than a hundred more
for VOX, speaker, power supply) in 1965. They had a good run, and a
decade later were being offered (with some updates) about a decade
later when they stopped selling them because at that price hardly
anyone was buying them. What makes you think that the sheet metal,
transformers, parts, etc. are going to be cheaper today?

Producing it in China might let you sell it at a less-than-$2000 price
point.

If you're looking to do a Collins-class rig, you'll never get the extra
$ for the effort because it's still "not a Collins", and even at
overinflated E-bay prices the Collins rigs will still be cheaper.

Tim.

I recall 3 or 4 years ago, some outfit or guy in Paris, Texas was
selling a newly manufactured Globe King 500 for about $7500 -- with
money paid in advance before building the rig. They ran a few ads in
QST, then I never saw anything of the rig again.

Bob
k5qwg

My guess is that if you wanted to replicate a mid-60's vintage Swan 350
from scratch (but using actually obtainable final tubes rather than
sweep tubes) you'd be looking at several tens of thousands of dollars
in up-front tooling and it'd cost about $2000 or $2500 for each one you
produce.

That's really not what I want to do anyway. I don't want to build a
true replica transciever. I was only intending to make a clean,
rugged, glass transceiver that has a 60's to 70's interface. Big
difference, I think.

What makes you think that the sheet metal, transformers, parts, etc. are going to be cheaper today?

Because they were made from America with union labor.

If you're looking to do a Collins-class rig, you'll never get the extra
$ for the effort because it's still "not a Collins", and even at
overinflated E-bay prices the Collins rigs will still be cheaper.

Yup, I agree. Scratch that idea.

The Eternal Squire

Things have changed since the 'old' days.
You could perhaps sell a 2NT-like transmitter for about 500 bucks and make
little
profit, but not sure how big the crowd at the check out line would be.
Sounds nice though...but I think those days are gone. Unless you come up
with a cake pan thing such as had been done.
Or, take a look at doc bottleheads site at...
http://www.bottlehead.com/
No reason you couldn't take some tips from him, and make something with a
wood box, and a sheet of metal. Hit 'products' , then scroll to the right.
Some pretty nice shots, eh??

.....Dave


wrote in message
oups.com...
All,

I've occasionally seen homebrew tube transceivers on Ebay that range
from really good to too gnarly looking to seem safe. I am thinking of
creating a line of clean-looking, attractive, rugged tube equipment for
casual or missionary use with a reasonable price/output performance
that is easy to repair and adjust, based on schematics and design
principles that have gone into the public domain.

Would there be an audience? Comments?

The Eternal Squire

Fairly exciting stuff for a warm blooded American mammal. But
otherwise, it is all audio.

The Eternal Squire

wrote:
Fairly exciting stuff for a warm blooded American mammal. But
otherwise, it is all audio.

The Eternal Squire


Squire,

You really have got to learn how to quote the article you are
commenting on. The articles appear in differing orders in
each person's news reader.

Not even the person you are responding to has a clue who you
are responding to.

-Chuck