used rigs

[KI4PRK]

Hi! I've been borrowing an old FT-890 for a while, and though I'm told I can use it indefinately since the owner has another, better HF rig I'd like my own. Problem: Zippo (well, 250$) money, and I'd like to save up to go on a DXpedition one day anyway.

Does anyone know a good, used rig that would sell on Ebay for less than two fifty? I'd *really* like the WARC bands, but they are not a bare neccesity. Doesn't even have to be solid state, I love the smell of tubes anyway. I know there have probably been a lot of posts like these, but I'm sure the 'zedders wouldn't mind the chance to post about a bunch of their fav's!

Basic (must have)requirements: 100W, CW/SSB (yes, I do occasionaly use voice), 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M operation, good frequency stability, and good receiver performance. And of course the above stated price (under $250)

Would *really* like: WARC bands, notch filter, CW narrow filter(s), Digital frequency display, inside tuner. Don't have to have all, or even any, but would prefer at least one.

So! Zedders! Pull out your favorite old stories about 80's/90's rigs and fire away!

Thanks, es 73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

[kc4umo]

My first rig was a Kenwood TS-520S.
Wished I never sold that one.

A few months ago I bought another one for 100 bucks.
It does not have all the features you want but a great rig it is.
I just bought a Icom IC-745 with a lot of options. $300 bucks.

What you are looking for is out there. Just takes a little time to find.

[ve2nsm]

FT757GX or GXII
TS430
TS140
IC735

Thoses are good all mode general coverage rugged little radios, especially the 757 and the 735.

The kenwoods are maybe less rugged, but they're kenwoods http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

The 735 has an awful RX audio but a very good receiver. The 757 has a good adjustable bandwidth function (which became a notch in the GXII version)

The 140 is the most recent but the less fancy.

I'm not into tube rigs more than I'm into Fords model-T, sorry http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[k3wrv]

I'd stick with the QRZ Swap meet forum or ask around a local ham club.

A few to keep your eyes out for might be Heath HW-101, (Tubes, no WARC), Kenwood TS 530 / 830 (Tube finals, ward, and the 830 has a GREAT reputation) Tentec Triton/ Omni/ Argosy (solid state, great breakin, most have WARC, last one is a 50 W rig). For a tube rig, I'd want 6146 finals - more rugged and easier to find than sweep tubes.

Also check the QRZ advertisers (R&L, Burghardt, and Associated). They sometimes have good deals.

[EDIT] I got a TT Corsait 1 for $200 with pwr supply at a hamfest a few years ago, so they are out there. Plus, TT will fix just about anything they sold. Yaecomwood won't do that. They only do newish stuff. I'd steer clear of all-tube rigs - you won't find digital dials and tubes are getting hard to find. IMHO, tube finals and driver are probably OK.

[ne3r]

The best kind of used rig is one you have actually used before you buy it. I strongly suggest avoiding eBay.

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (KI4PRK @ Jan. 25 2008,07:00)]Hi! I've been borrowing an old FT-890 for a while, and though I'm told I can use it indefinately since the owner has another, better HF rig I'd like my own. Problem: Zippo (well, 250$) money, and I'd like to save up to go on a DXpedition one day anyway.

Does anyone know a good, used rig that would sell on Ebay for less than two fifty? I'd *really* like the WARC bands, but they are not a bare neccesity. Doesn't even have to be solid state, I love the smell of tubes anyway. I know there have probably been a lot of posts like these, but I'm sure the 'zedders wouldn't mind the chance to post about a bunch of their fav's!

Basic (must have)requirements: 100W, CW/SSB (yes, I do occasionaly use voice), 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M operation, good frequency stability, and good receiver performance. And of course the above stated price (under $250)

Would *really* like: WARC bands, notch filter, CW narrow filter(s), Digital frequency display, inside tuner. Don't have to have all, or even any, but would prefer at least one.

So! Zedders! Pull out your favorite old stories about 80's/90's rigs and fire away!

Thanks, es 73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13
Kenwood TS-820

[K8YZK]

I have had 3 IC-735 and they are a nice rig. I also liked the TS-130, and the FT-757.
My suggestion is before you put money down on a ebay radio, see if there is one within resonable distance that someone will take you to(i.e. parents), or visit your QTH and try the radio out before handing over the money.

Kurt
K8YZK

[KD8HMO]

Dont forget the Yaesu FT-101 rigs. Lots of them out there and they perform well.

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Jan. 25 2008,07:57)]Basic (must have)requirements: 100W, CW/SSB (yes, I do occasionaly use voice), 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M operation, good frequency stability, and good receiver performance. And of course the above stated price (under $250)

Would *really* like: WARC bands, notch filter, CW narrow filter(s), Digital frequency display, inside tuner. Don't have to have all, or even any, but would prefer at least one.
The TS-830 has almost all of that stuff as well as variable bandpass tuning, with two 500hz filters you can dial the bandwidth down to about 50 hz, used in conjunction with the IF shift you can pick a single signal out of just about any mess. (works with sideband too) The receiver performance is up there with the best of them, and you get the tube smell to boot!

73 m/4

[N8UZE]

TS-130SE

10-80M including the WARC bands.
Good stability
Good receiver
Can install narrow CW and SSB filters at the same time but you may have to buy them as they are options.
Digital Frequency display
No internal tuner
Can't remember for sure but don't think it has a notch filter
Has VOX
Has Noise blanker (I think)

Good solid basic radio.

[N8UZE]

If this radio is as described and doesn't get bid up too high it would be a good deal as it already has filters installed.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-TS-130S-HF-TRANSCEIVER-Working_W0QQitemZ110216751161QQihZ001QQcategoryZ40 067QQssPa
geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Potential Radio</a>

However any used gear and any auctions are ALWAYS buyer beware.

[kd5kfl]

Not an answer to your question, but a valuble research tool:

http://www.rigpix.com/

[ab9lz]

The TS-130 is a regular clack-a-thon on CW due to the fact that there are no less than three(!) internal TR relays.

73 m/4

[k0dxc]

Hi! I've been borrowing an old FT-890 for a while, and though I'm told I can use it indefinately since the owner has another, better HF rig I'd like my own. Problem: Zippo (well, 250$) money, and I'd like to save up to go on a DXpedition one day anyway.

Does anyone know a good, used rig that would sell on Ebay for less than two fifty? I'd *really* like the WARC bands, but they are not a bare neccesity. Doesn't even have to be solid state, I love the smell of tubes anyway. I know there have probably been a lot of posts like these, but I'm sure the 'zedders wouldn't mind the chance to post about a bunch of their fav's!

Basic (must have)requirements: 100W, CW/SSB (yes, I do occasionaly use voice), 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M operation, good frequency stability, and good receiver performance. And of course the above stated price (under $250)

Would *really* like: WARC bands, notch filter, CW narrow filter(s), Digital frequency display, inside tuner. Don't have to have all, or even any, but would prefer at least one.

So! Zedders! Pull out your favorite old stories about 80's/90's rigs and fire away!

Thanks, es 73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13




I is going to be really hard to do that with the WARC bands included,

When I got my license my grandpa gave me a 706 and all the antennas and equipment I needed, now I am upgrading myself, I will probably be getting a K3



Just keep looking around and hope that you get lucky




73

[KA4DPO]

The TS-520, 520S, and 520SE are probably the best radio ever made in terms of cost and capability. I know you can find a TS-520 for 200 dollars with a CW filter in it. You can get a Heathkit HW-101 for less than that and it will work great on CW.

[NN3W]

The TS-830 has almost all of that stuff as well as variable bandpass tuning, with two 500hz filters you can dial the bandwidth down to about 50 hz, used in conjunction with the IF shift you can pick a single signal out of just about any mess. (works with sideband too) The receiver performance is up there with the best of them, and you get the tube smell to boot!

73 m/4

If you can find an 830 for that price, go for it....But I doubt that you could!

[ai4ep]

I too used to be looking for a decent USED rig till I decided to get off my wallet and get a NEW rig ( in my case...an ICOM 746 pro ), with a sm 20 desk mike and a ps - 125.

No I aint regretted it more than a minute or two ( should have went ahead and gotten a 756 instead of a 746 ).

But every ones story is different, reasons / finances / etc , so with the respect that you deserve, I shall be further more quiet on this topic. Nothing like the smell of a new radio, and every now & then I re - open the garbage bag that contains that smell and relive that glorious day back last June 2007 .

:p no that is not a skunk smell, but thanks for asking :)

Just dont hate yourself when you DO acrtually buy a decent USED rig and 3 weeks later another model at a $50 savings comes along . It IS just a radio.

[wa9cwx]

Well, my opinion is that for $250.00, and age 13, you do not have the money or experience to be able to pick through the used market place and get a good deal.

The ability to read people, read between the printed words, and spot nuances of pending trouble in a USED complex radio...are skills that take at least a little TIME to develop.

NOT that there are dishonest hams everywhere looking to steal your few bucks...There are actually MORE hams willing to steer you in the right direction, AND some of them MAY have a nice piece of gear, that fits your requirements, and are willing to take bottom dollar for it JUST to help you out.
Probably everyone here who has been a ham for more than a few years has done just THAT, I certainly have, many times over...

HOWEVER....to get a DECENT shape radio, that is capable of doing what you want...A FAIR price, which takes you out of the hat in hand catagory, will cost you at least $400.00, including all needed accessories.

Yes, you CAN get some nice older tube gear, in good shape, for less than that, but you likely will find that tube replacement, tune up, little asides like nuetralization, tube damage from learning to tune up the rig, lack of an internal keyer, dirt in contacts, switches, aging components, all will add up to a bit more trouble than would be expected from a rig that is used, but 20 years newer.

At $250.00 you COULD find something that will be a great rig, and do what you expect....At $400.00 you WILL find a rig that will likely exceed your expectations, and keep on doing it longer. AT $400.0 you can walk into a store, like AES. or HRO and buy a used, reconditioned, fairly modern rig, with at least a partial warrantee.....

Older gear (especially tube) had a LOT of operating quirks, SOME of which indicate pending serious trouble, some of which was just a typical alteration of expected operating parameters.....It IS fun to work with this stuff, but, until you have some guided experience in that area, your MONEY for your main rig will be better spent on something that WORKS...NOT something you need to take a chance on and keep working ON....Spend a few more bucks when you can, and get a decent piece of operating ham gear FIRST..

Frank

[WB2WIK]

$250 isn't much for a rig with reasonable features in working condition.

If you can build that up to $400-$500 you'd be in good shape and could easily find a TS-830S (excellent rig with almost every feature you asked for), which is a great home station rig and not such a great portable one (too heavy, built-in power supply and AC operation only).

The FT-101ZD isn't bad, either, and in the same cost range.

Either of those two rigs requires a remote VFO to operate "split," however, and as you know that's an absolute requirement for DXing.

The IC-740 or 745 is another good choice; it requires a power supply but is all solid-state, feature-rich, and a good performer and makes a better choice for portable operation. These will operate "split" without a remote VFO.

Frankly, you can sometimes pick up a TR-7 for about $600 and it will blow away the other three listed above in almost every way, but it's quite old and finding a "good" one might be an issue. The really "mint" TR-7s with the matching power supply and remote VFO can cost upwards of $1200.

IC-735s, TS-430s, TS-440s and such are also good rigs that have most of the features you're asking about; however they're all getting old and many (most that I've seen) are now officially intermittent, in need of service, or have already been serviced which is why they're still on the air. So, although you can indeed pick these up in the $300-$400 range, that could be money badly spent unless you get a really good one.

WB2WIK/6

[ab9lz]

Either of those two rigs requires a remote VFO to operate "split," however, and as you know that's an absolute requirement for DXing.

CW DX splits are not nearly as common as with phone, sure if you want to join an obvious pile up, you need that capability, but most of the time you don't. I almost never work splits, but manage quire a bit of DX.

73 m/4

[N0NB]

I presume that the owner of the FT-890 you're using doesn't want to sell it. An FT-890 is a great radio and you'll hunt long and hard for anything in its price class that matches its performance. Yes, I'm biased as I own one myself and don't wish to sell it. Ever. :cool:

Otherwise, you've had some good suggestions, but I'll bet that by now you're spoiled by the '890. :)

[k0dxc]

I would save your money for a little bit before you decide to get a rig, you really don't have much to work with, plus, you have one that works fine right now that you don't have to give back anytime soon

[K0RGR]

You should be able to find a TS-120 or 130 in your price range. I have a 120 in good shape that I paid $200 for a few years ago.

I think an even better deal would be a older Ten Tec. I prefer the operation of the TT's. The only thing I've observed is that their switches and controls seem to get pretty dirty over time. The TT's in this price range don't look or feel as nice as the Japanese rigs, but they work as well or better. With TT, be sure you know what you're bidding on - many of their rigs are QRP or CW only.

[KB0LPI]

Keep using the Kenwood, as it is a good rig and save up a few more bucks. I'd shoot for a IC-718. It's a "base" level rig so they are often found for sale by someone hoping to get $$$ to upgrade to a rig with more features. It has everything in your want list except a built-in tuner and CW filtering. An external tuner will almost always be more flexible, so that's nothing to get really excited about IMHO. CW filtering is available as an internal option, or I use http://www.idiompress.com/scaf-1.html on mine.

You also get a unit that is still produced and you can still get factory support on. It also seems to be pretty reliable. It's a tough rig that gets good reviews. I have an IC-7000 as well, but I won't be getting rid of the 718 anytime soon.

[KI4WCA]

Keep using the Kenwood, as it is a good rig and save up a few more bucks. I'd shoot for a IC-718. It's a "base" level rig so they are often found for sale by someone hoping to get $$$ to upgrade to a rig with more features. It has everything in your want list except a built-in tuner and CW filtering. An external tuner will almost always be more flexible, so that's nothing to get really excited about IMHO. CW filtering is available as an internal option, or I use http://www.idiompress.com/scaf-1.html on mine.

You also get a unit that is still produced and you can still get factory support on. It also seems to be pretty reliable. It's a tough rig that gets good reviews. I have an IC-7000 as well, but I won't be getting rid of the 718 anytime soon.

I Agree.I have a 718.It is excellent.I use it with a homebrew pi/series tuner.I do not plan to upgrade anytime soon.It works fb on QRP too.I have seen them for as low as 300.and they have a good built in keyer.

[kd8fxb]

I have a ft 840 and love it! I traded a cobra 2000 and a Pansonic rf-4900 sw radio for mine. I guees you could say it was a deal I couldn't pass up :) Oh yeah only had 55 bux into both pieces of equipment

[k9kjm]

I agree with others. Be very careful on Ebay!!!!! PLUS, You have the whole world bidding against you!
Instead, As mentioned, The classified ads on Eham, Or right here on QRZ, Or local swapmeets are much safer to buy from.

I also agree that the good old Icom IC735 is a great starter radio. But is still selling for around 300 dollars.......... And the new Icom 718 is also a fine starter HF radio.

[N8GAV]

Brennen, you have some very good advice from some people that care to see that you do not get ripped off.Epay(Ebay) is the worst place to find a rig or buy one,I been burnt on bids that I won there only to get a problem radio that I had to almost rebuiltd becose of "The Golden Screwdriver ". I think if you get with whoever elmer you and keep saving you will be surprized at what you can get for money you have.Check here on the Zed and QTH and please stay away from Ebay

Hank

[AC0H]

Basic (must have)requirements: 100W, CW/SSB (yes, I do occasionaly use voice), 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M operation, good frequency stability, and good receiver performance. And of course the above stated price (under $250)

Would *really* like: WARC bands, notch filter, CW narrow filter(s), Digital frequency display, inside tuner. Don't have to have all, or even any, but would prefer at least one.

So! Zedders! Pull out your favorite old stories about 80's/90's rigs and fire away!

Thanks, es 73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

Double the price and you get into the standing room only section of the ballpark.
What you want and the amount of money you have are diametrically opposed.

[WB2WIK]

Either of those two rigs requires a remote VFO to operate "split," however, and as you know that's an absolute requirement for DXing.

CW DX splits are not nearly as common as with phone, sure if you want to join an obvious pile up, you need that capability, but most of the time you don't. I almost never work splits, but manage quire a bit of DX.

73 m/4

::Well, almost every DXpedition (rare one) I work on CW is operating "split" unless the band is so empty there just isn't any QRM and almost nobody calling him. I'd say in the past 25-30 years, 95% of all DXpeditions I've worked on CW were "split" operations, and sometimes *waaaay* split, like them at 7002 and listening up above 7025. This is actually a great split because it keeps the DX down where there's no QRM at all and has them listening up inside the General CW band so they can work "anybody."

-WB2WIK/6

[KI4PRK]

OK, zedder's, this is it...

And the winner is... The Kenwood TS-830s gold line!

Found one with soft tubes for 180 dollars. 1 1/2 hours to go and I'm in the lead. The seller has a very good reputation and accepts paypal. About the tubes, I have a friend who confirmed that he has the required skill and tubes to replace the old tubes.

It has enough XIT for a small CW split, of up to 5 khz; for a SSB split I could possibly use the RIT and XIT in conjunction getting a split of up to 10 kHz, but I don't use SSB very much. No filters in this one, but the variable IF will allow me an effective filter down to about 500 hZ; enough for me until I can get the two 400 hZ filters from International Radio.

It has a built in power supply. Very good. Suppodedly extremely rugged. Very good. Notch filter. Very good. Quiet receiver (no phase noise). Very good WARC bands and digital display. Very good."Near perfect condition". Very good.

It sounds good. It was a near toss-up between the TS-520, TS-830, and TS-130. Several other good sounding rigs out there too, like the acclaimed ICOM 735 and the Yaesu 101.

Thanks for your help. I got what I needed, and for a lot cheaper than a brand new rig. 73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13 :cool:

[KC9IUX]

Lots of bidders wait until the last second.

[KI4PRK]

OK, I'll remember that.

[k0dxc]

Yes, because then they will have the last input and that gives them the highest chance of winning

[kf4vgx]

I presume that the owner of the FT-890 you're using doesn't want to sell it. An FT-890 is a great radio and you'll hunt long and hard for anything in its price class that matches its performance. Yes, I'm biased as I own one myself and don't wish to sell it. Ever. :cool:

Otherwise, you've had some good suggestions, but I'll bet that by now you're spoiled by the '890. :)


I have several rigs I would like to part with , FT 890 and my IC 746 .

Just not up to par on what the resale value is ? Any tips ???.

[k7mh]

It sounds good. It was a near toss-up between the TS-520, TS-830, and TS-130. Several other good sounding rigs out there too, like the acclaimed ICOM 735 and the Yaesu 101.

The TS-830 would be my choice by a long shot out of all those mentioned.
Hope you can get it! You will like it!

[N2RJ]

Yep they're called snipers...

Good luck though!

[N0NB]

I have several rigs I would like to part with , FT 890 and my IC 746 .

Just not up to par on what the resale value is ? Any tips ???.

Watch eBay to get an idea of where the market is for them. A friend of mine tried to get an '890 for about $400 for almost a year and got beat out every time as they generally went well north of that figure. He finally got into a nice FT-757GXII in his price range.

I bought mine in April 1999 for $800 which included four mobile whip antennas and the Yaesu SSB and CW crystal filters in the radio along with the auto-tuner. It has been money well spent for me. I've heard some amazing stories regarding the capability of the '890's tuner. I do know that it is much more capable than the one in my FT-920 which has been a disappointment and quit altogether. Sadly, the new Yaesu rigs sport tuners more closely related to the '920's than the '890's these days.

[wa9cwx]

If you are talking about eBay, and you say "Found one, at such and such price, only one and a half hours to go"...You are talking gibberish.

MOST often, the prices will skyrocket in the last 2 or 3 minutes..ESPECIALLY on a Sunday evening.

I am glad you are looking, that IS a decent rig, IF it is in good shape, and your friend having a good set of finals HELPS. You need to neutralize them, and GET the manual..BEFORE you try to tune up the transmitter. :)

Good luck with the bidding,

Frank

[k0dxc]

Yes, great point frank


Us kids like to get our hopes up though :)

especially me :)




K0DXC

[N8GAV]

SOOOOOOOOO has he won?? Good Luck Brennen an 830 is a good rig;)

[wa9cwx]

WEEELLLLL?????

Are you the proud owner of an 830 yet :) ???

Inquiring minds want to know.....If so, start looking for the right CW filter......

Frank

[KC9IUX]

Went for over 300$

Sorry you didn't get it, you'll find a better deal down the road.

[WB2WIK]

A TS-830S in working condition, even with no tubes at all, is worth a lot more than $180. I'm not surprised it went for over $300. Again, the key words are "working condition."

I see a lot of crap on eBay, and I'm not happy to say I've bought some of it.

The three tubes have a combined value of about $50 retail at 2008 prices, but the rig itself should easily be worth $400 without any tubes.

I wouldn't buy one via eBay at all, unless it was very, very cheap and I figured no matter what was wrong with it, I could fix it. With the TS-830S, this is likely true since it has no ASICs, no power transistors, and really nothing I cannot replace.

WB2WIK/6

[KI4PRK]

As KC9IUX stated, the rig went for $320. I stopped at $215. I put out a wanted ad for a used rig, and stated that my preference would be the 830 — it has the best reviews of any of the rigs I've found with the possible exception of the TS 520. It looks really good too.
However, I'm bidding on a TS 520. If I don't get any replies, I'll take the 520. I got it right when the seller posted it, for $100 right now and 9 days to go.
Hopefully I'll eventually get an 830. But I'm getting the feeling that it's going to take a bit more money.
BTW, I found a 520 in near perfect condition 2 minutes 34 seconds before ending time at $137.50.

73, de Brennen KI4PRK

[K3STX]

Brennen,


You would do MUCH better if you could just continue to borrow the rig and go to one of our local Hamfests to get a deal!! Similarly, if you belong to a local club, ask the guys if they know someone who has a spare old rig like a TS-520. You can get great deals if you are a member of a club and get the guys there to help, #2 would be a Hamfest, and a DISTANT #3 would be eBay.

paul

I see RL Electronics has a TS-520S WITH the CW filter for $295. It is kind of pricey, but from a dealer like that it will be guaranteed not DOA. Associated Radio also gets lots of used rigs.

[KI4PRK]

K3STX: Thanks for the advice. I don't think any of our members has any spare rigs, as most are pretty new in the hobby. One had a Kenwood TS-(I wanna say 850, but I'm not sure), but he turned around and gave it to the club.
I'll look around for a hamfest soon. Probably one this weekend within range. A friend of mine got an Atwater-Kent breadboard model 21 at a hamfest for $900 — those things sell on eBay for around five or six grand!

[ai4ep]

Plus if you buy at a hamfest, you can aask questions before you spend your hard earned money, and if the seller does not know, problably some one nearby can help you IN PERSON.

You dont get information like that from e-bay....

[KI4PRK]

AI4EP, thanks, I'll try and get my elmer to come along.

Any other advice is appreciated. And I know how the 'zedders like to dish it out...

73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

[k9kjm]

If anyone MUST ignore the good advice to avoid Ebay for radio purchases, Remember the basics of buying on Ebay. (OR for that matter ANY auction)

#1- DECIDE AHEAD of time what your "top bid" will be. HOW much you are willing to spend for whatever it is.

#2- DO NOT bid at all until the very last few seconds of the auction! If you cannot be around the last day, Use one of the many "sniper" program services available if you are really serious about buying on Ebay.

(To talk ahead of time about "It is only up to XX dollars and only X hours to go is futile! SERIOUS buyers ONLY bid in the last few seconds!)

To get into a "bidding war" long before the end of the auction is simply a waste of time (And money)

Like it or not, This is the way it works in real life.

Again, The better deals are to be found right here in the swap section of QRZ and the classifieds on Eham. (Or a local in person swapfest) YES, It does take some time to wait for the item you are looking for to come along. Take your choice: A good deal, OR getting it sooner, And paying a lot more for questionable goods. Most of the time you will NOT have it both ways.

[K3STX]

There is a big Hamfest in Baltimore at the end of March, if you can keep your borrowed rig till then, that would be best. If NOT, and you have no rig, I have a Kenwood TS-520S that works just fine, I use it as radio #2 in SO2R contesting. I can part with it for a while and lend it to you, if needed. I have been debating in my mind if I actually want to sell it to you, but I just can't seem to be able to part with my only back-up rig.

GO for the Hamfest route, and if you need SOMETHING in the meantime give me a call and I'll let you borrow the 520S for a while.

If you ARE a member of a local club, somehow let the guys know. Often they know a used-rig dealer who goes to the Hamfests and you might get in BEFORE the Hamfest.

Too bad that guy GAVE a TS-850S to the club, that would be hard to believe! It is what I use, one of the best rigs ever. Maybe you can offer the club $500 cash for it, that would be a STEAL.

paul

[WA6MHZ]

You've gotten alot of great advice on here, but the best advice is to FORGET even thinking of Ebay!! As a accomplished user of it, I have squandered my life savings on worthless junk that never did or never will work on there! Any HF radio that goes for $250 on there is a complete piece of junk, hopeless to fix and good for only the knobs on the front panel if even that! And I see daily where people pay more for a "maybe you can fix it" rig that has been struck by lightning and the only good parts left are the nuts and bolts than a perfectly good working unit off of another venue!!!! There is this Ham Disease you get after you fix your first radio. You think you can fix ANY radio! I work in the industry repairing radios, so I have a test bench at work to die for. So I sometimes try to repair these derelicts. They are HOPELESS!!! So I just pretty them up and put them in a stack to look nice and thats about it. One time I decided I could build an Icom IC-720A from various modules I bought here and there off of Ebay. I wound up paying far more than I would have for a working radio, and in the end, it smoked more and more and will never work again. So, by all means, stay clear away from Ebay!
Now, the best place to get that rig is in your radio club. Older hams are always looking to get a new rig, and if it means parting with the old one, thats a great reason to get a new fancy one. And one of the main parts of Ham Radio is Elmering, helping out new and young hams get going and giving them a break on a rig. So, for your $250, you should easily get a very nice radio probably worth double if not more than that. Just put in a plea at a radio club meeting that you really need a rig and I guarantee there will be a ham who will fix you up. And not stiff you with a Junker either, but a great rig that is just older than he would like.
Try it, you'll have a wonderful rig before long for far less than you dreamed of!

[kc4umo]

mhz,
I agree. Never ever buy a tech special from ebay. Just not worth it. And may cost as much as a working rig would.
I had bid 60 dollars for a Yaesu FT 726r. It was took completly apart. Went to 300

[n0rie]

Hi! I've been borrowing an old FT-890 for a while, and though I'm told I can use it indefinately since the owner has another, better HF rig I'd like my own. Problem: Zippo (well, 250$) money, and I'd like to save up to go on a DXpedition one day anyway.

Does anyone know a good, used rig that would sell on Ebay for less than two fifty? I'd *really* like the WARC bands, but they are not a bare neccesity. Doesn't even have to be solid state, I love the smell of tubes anyway. I know there have probably been a lot of posts like these, but I'm sure the 'zedders wouldn't mind the chance to post about a bunch of their fav's!

Basic (must have)requirements: 100W, CW/SSB (yes, I do occasionaly use voice), 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M operation, good frequency stability, and good receiver performance. And of course the above stated price (under $250)

Would *really* like: WARC bands, notch filter, CW narrow filter(s), Digital frequency display, inside tuner. Don't have to have all, or even any, but would prefer at least one.

So! Zedders! Pull out your favorite old stories about 80's/90's rigs and fire away!

Thanks, es 73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

you go to ebay i would nt buy a nats ass from them or nothing elese:mad::mad::mad::mad:

[n9vo]

I'm not so sure that young Brennen is listening! Stay away from Ebay. He continues to post the bidding there. In your case, you really should not buy any rig that you cannot try out first!!!!! Good luck.......;)

[wa9cwx]

I will add to the statements.

RE-READ K9KJM and WA6MHZ's comments...

Although I DO like eBay, and have not had any bad experiences, AND have bought / sold ham rigs at nearly the $2000.00 level there...Brennen, I HAVE been doing this buying / selling thing for 45, yes, FORTY FIVE years, first at hamfests, and now on eBay for six years.

These guys are telling it straight.

GO to your club, find an OF who is friendly, and retired, and well to do !!

HE WANTS a new rig, AND, he WANTS to help a young ham out.

Next best thing is a Hamfest, then here or on eHam.


As for eBay.....
For the money you are talking, first of all, the eBay auction needs to END on a Wednsday at 3 AM.

Second, the rig needs to be 35 years old, sold by the soon to be evicted widow of a repair-tech dead ham.

Third.....who SMOKED five packs a day, and it shows .

And fourth, you're STILL going to be outbid by 'Gottohavit'....

When you have money to play with, experience under your belt, and you are already using a WORKING rig, then, hunt eBay and enjoy....

For NOW, BROWSE eBay, BUY somewhere else.

Frank