Ron Hardin wrote:

Strategies vary, but if I didn't have one, I'm of the school that it's
better to get a receiver that's actually made currently than be stuck
with a broken one when it breaks.

Service will be available for years, either at Drake or through another tech.

My R7 (still one of the best dx machines ever built) is still readily serviced
by numerous technicians throughout the USA.

dxAce
Michigan
USA