New AES Catalog

[KC0W]

Went to the mailbox last night & saw that AES (Amateur Electronic Supply) is sending out their their summer 2007 catalogs. I would think that others here must be getting theirs this week also.

Two things I noticed over last years AES catalog:

1. The prices are back in print!!! No more of this, "call for price" business. Even though AES has some of the highest prices around, this catalog gives you a good judge to where prices stand without having to fire up your olde computer.

2. The front & rear covers are no longer card stock weight. Pretty much just your standard paper thickness now. I understand this cost saving idea, but it was nice to have a sturdy, "man strength tested" catalog as in the years past.

As most know, Kenwood still is being left in the dust in terms of sending a new HF rig to market. Their "flagship" rig is still the TS-2000. I have one that I use on 6 & 2 meters, 432 and 1.2 Gig. Nothing to write home about.


Tom kcØw

[W4BD]

Well I just wish that AES would organize their catalog a little better: Namely their index. I hate trying to find something and have to look at 20 pages to find it. They could put a index in the back that listed an item and the page it's on. I haven't recieved mine yet so until I do I can't say if I like what KC0W was refering to or not.


73's

[W3MIV]

Having dealt with most of them, I have found the best service, prices and transit times to be from GigaParts.

[KC7UP]

Since I haven't bought anything from them in years it been years since I have received a catalog from them.
Curt

[w3dub]

Hm.. Gigaparts has the best price on the Gap Titan, never even looked there. Guess I know who I'm buying it from. Thanks MIV.

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (KC0W @ April 05 2007,05:59)]Two things I noticed over last years AES catalog:

1. The prices are back in print!!! No more of this, "call for price" business. Even though AES has some of the highest prices around, this catalog gives you a good judge to where prices stand without having to fire up your olde computer.
Wow, what's next? The return of the radio shack catalog???

[K3VR]

I tend to buy stuff from AES because I love their catalog. You don't have to browse on the net, you get a good description, color pics, and they ship the same day. If I order from AES before noon, I have my item the next day. Plus, it's an excellent reference for seeing which gear was available in which year and what the actual selling prices were during the period of manufacture. I really enjoy the AES catalog.

EDIT: Almost forgot, Universal Radio has a nice, easy-to-navigate, online catalog.

Universal (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/index2.html)

[kj3n]

Quote[/b] (KC0W @ April 05 2007,06:59)]1. The prices are back in print!!! No more of this, "call for price" business. Even though AES has some of the highest prices around, this catalog gives you a good judge to where prices stand without having to fire up your olde computer.
There are 4 computers in this house that run 24/7. BFD. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

That's a pretty weak agrument, Tom. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[K5UOS]

I prefer this AES. Much more fun stuff.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/

Antique Electronic Supply

Nothing like a good picture of a 6/32 solder lug, a Hammond transformer or a 6BA6! Doesn't get any better!

73

K5UOS

[n6hcm]

Quote[/b] (n3jja @ April 05 2007,10:51)]There are 4 computers in this house that run 24/7. BFD. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
yah, same here, but the websites that these places have are pretty poorly designed. the catalog is almost certainly a better deal. i suppose they could stop printing and sending the catalogue and put the resources into making their website more attractive and easy to use ...

[ka0gkt]

In my mail? #I'd better go out and take a look!

73 DE KAØGKT/7

--Steve

It wasn't there...I'm Sooooooo Disappointed! All there was was a fancy-schmancy five-blade razor which my daugter galomed onto...People shouldn't get my hopes up...now I'll be surley all day! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

--Steve

[KC9ECI]

Hmmmmm....

You'd think I'd be getting one of those catalogs. I recently made my first purchase from AES. I don't normally buy from them as I'd have to pay State sales tax on whatever I purchased. On a new HF rig, that's usually enough of a savings to make it worth my while to purchase from my regular dealer (sounds like a drug buy now!) HRO.

[kj3n]

Quote[/b] (n6hcm @ April 05 2007,16:47)]Quote[/b] (n3jja @ April 05 2007,10:51)]There are 4 computers in this house that run 24/7. BFD. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
yah, same here, but the websites that these places have are pretty poorly designed. the catalog is almost certainly a better deal. i suppose they could stop printing and sending the catalogue and put the resources into making their website more attractive and easy to use ...
Well, I'm just "spoiled" then. HRO is a 20 minute drive from home. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Catalog? We don't need no steekin' catalog! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

BTW, you want to see a really bad web site? Try Force 12. OMG!

[w3dub]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ April 05 2007,17:16)]ou'd think I'd be getting one of those catalogs. I recently made my first purchase from AES. I don't normally buy from them as I'd have to pay State sales tax on whatever I purchased. On a new HF rig, that's usually enough of a savings to make it worth my while to purchase from my regular dealer (sounds like a drug buy now!) HRO.

And ECI, with how addicting ham radio can be, it might as well be a drug buy lol
I was kind of shocked when I got my package with the ARRL world and North american maps yet no catalog. I was kind of looking forward to doing some comparison shopping.

I will say one thing, I do agree on the website designs. I have not seen a single ham store site that has any semblance of a good layout. I know we're hams and all, but we do enjoy user-friendly UIs every once in awhile ;)

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (n6hcm @ April 05 2007,15:47)]Quote[/b] (n3jja @ April 05 2007,10:51)]There are 4 computers in this house that run 24/7. BFD. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
yah, same here, but the websites that these places have are pretty poorly designed. the catalog is almost certainly a better deal. i suppose they could stop printing and sending the catalogue and put the resources into making their website more attractive and easy to use ...
I agree.

A HUGE, and I mean HUGE plus for gigaparts.com is that their website is easy to browse, check prices and order from.

They could do away with some of the flash faux haggling "name your price" nonsense but I have to admit that it is cute. Useless, but cute.

They are miles ahead of the other vendors.

[KC0W]

Quote[/b] (n3jja @ April 05 2007,22:22)]BTW, you want to see a really bad web site? Try Force 12. OMG!
Force 12 has a really bad sight.

M2 has a really bad site.

SteppIR (God bless their fine products) has a bad site.

What is the deal with antenna manufactures having crap web sites? Too much RF to the brain while testing their antennas on the antenna range?


Tom kcØw

[KC9ECI]

I was on the SteppIR site a couple days ago and as much as I'd like to buy an antenna from them...I gave up because the site was such a disaster to navigate.

[ai4ep]

How often does AES send out a new catalog...2 times or 4 times a year ?

The last one I got was October of last year.

I guess I need to actually buy something expensive from them to stay on their mailing list.....like 5 pl-259 connectors in 4 years wont quite cover it...... ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[k9kjm]

I have always considered the AES catalog to be the "Christmas Wish Book" of ham radio. UNTIL that is when they started leaving out prices! I told them to keep it and save the postage as I simply toss ANY catalog into the trash if it does not have prices! #I also told them to at LEAST put retail prices in the catalog and the statement "call for best price" Thats fine with me. BUT I need to know ahead of time if something is even in my price range before I start calling around!
For my purchases, The general cost of something is a major factor. I am not about to get interested in a new whiz bang radio and read all about it, Then spend my time calling only to find out it sells for 10K or something!

If they are again putting all prices back in the catalog, I will again buy something from them just to get that great catalog! # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kn4ds]

If I have a hard time finding the "order" button and the "checkout" button, I simply leave the site.

I really, really wish the ham vendors would get their sites "user friendly." I'd buy more from them if they did.

[N8MME]

Quote[/b] (KB3JGU @ April 05 2007,15:28)]I will say one thing, I do agree on the website designs. I have not seen a single ham store site that has any semblance of a good layout. I know we're hams and all, but we do enjoy user-friendly UIs every once in awhile ;)
Have you checked out the Universal Radio web site? It is actually pretty well done and is easy to navigate and find things. They do a good job of showing pictures and prices. I just wish they would show if an item is in stock, like R & L Electronics does on their site. I guess you can't have everything though.

[ai4ep]

I got my new AES catalog, and the only complaint I have is... the newest YEASU 2 meter / 440 mobile unit, they have a description and a pisture of it, but no price . THAT could be because it is so new on the market, so I can forgive them for that small situation. I also like the fact that they do NOT list all the USED items like they used to ( check internet for models & price )...cause in the time it takes just to organize and print the catalog, some items could be sold.

They are trying to do things better, in what ways they can....no I was not paid or get a discount for my next order for being nice in print to them.

I may need to poke 3 holes in the catalog and put it in a school - type binder, cause I am rough on catalogs, and the new cover aint as heavy duty ( as mentioned before ) as the older ones are....shucks I still have some from the 1990 s and early 2000 years .

It is amazing to go through the years and see how fast or slow things change of different models of radios, how all the hoopla of a new model, then 5 years later it is a discontinued item at half the price....about like lawn mowers, cars, women .... !!??!!

---------------------
Annnnyway, got to shower , and shave and get ready to go to CHURCH this evening ( dont worry, I should be back around 8 - 9 pm central time, so I wont miss the Friday night fun on qrz ) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Ya know, sumetyme we uns shuld git on the raddio and tawk tew eahc utter instud uf jest hear oon th 'zed !! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

FRF what ever happened to the net you used to run...?

[KB3LIX]

My catalogue has taken up residence where all catalogues of this type belong.......

In the THRONE/Reading/Library room.

Nothing like a captive audience.
Lots of goodies in there, but all are out of my price range.

Come on PowerBall !!!!!

[n6hcm]

Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ April 05 2007,15:52)]A HUGE, and I mean HUGE plus for gigaparts.com is that their website is easy to browse, check prices and order from. . . . They are miles ahead of the other vendors.
they are ... and what's sad is that i'd still only give them a 7/10. they (and maybe universal radio) seem to be the most internet-savvy of the lot.

[w3dub]

Universal Radio is the ONLY ham site that has any semblance of good UI design.

I used to design websites back in college for extra money.. and some of these sites seriously make me want to hurl. LOL

Note: Any Ham site that wants design work, e-mail me.. i'll work for equipment discounts!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KA7RRA]

Quote[/b] (KC9ECI @ April 05 2007,19:15)]I was on the SteppIR site a couple days ago and as much as I'd like to buy an antenna from them...I gave up because the site was such a disaster to navigate.
I have been on that site many of times and I have never had a promblem in finding anything from that site.

I was on yesterday and found the price for the BIGIR vertical it easy

[w3dub]

DX Engineering has a great site. They got my business too.. Hustler 5-BTV vert for $149, cheapest I've seen anywhere.

Sorry Gap, spending the $150 I saved on some stuff at the next hamfest ;)

[AC0H]

Got mine yesterday and agree.
I do wish they'd drop all the non Ham Radio related CRAP like the CB section, the metal detector section, etc....

[W6GQ]

Quote[/b] (KC0W @ April 05 2007,03:59)]As most know, Kenwood still is being left in the dust in terms of sending a new HF rig to market. Their "flagship" rig is still the TS-2000. I have one that I use on 6 & 2 meters, 432 and 1.2 Gig. Nothing to write home about.


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom kcØw
from another post I made

Quote[/b] ]In my opinion, if they would get rid of the internal tuner or the 200 watt version of the 480 they could add 2m and 70 cm to it and have great competition with I.C.O.M. ( I Can Only Monitor ) or Yaezoooo with the "do it all" radios.

Oh and add some more color besides amber for the display http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

And on another note, Does Kenwood "think" they are to good to show up to the AES Superfest in Milwaukee? Maybe they are getting out of ham radio and just dont know it yet http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif