Radio Gear Query

[KJ5T]

First off, let me begin by saying that I am not sure if this is in the right place, I didn't put it under the "For Sale" section, because this gear isn't for sale. This is a query to see what I might be offered if I did put this stuff for sale. I would have already put this stuff for sale a few weeks ago, but my dad told me that I would regret selling my HF gear. My friend Mike/N3CA said it was also a crazy idea. I have been told that my idea to sell my HF gear is insanse, and not to do it. I am not looking to be talked out of this. I am looking for what some here might be willing to offer, or what they think my gear is worth. This is so I will have numbers to use in order to show my dad that I will be making enough money to get what I want, an Apple Powerbook. I am not saying I will get out of radio, I am saying that, due to the fact that I haven't been on the air much, and the fact that I will be starting college in the Fall, I will need a laptop much more than a radio. I am considering deeply selling my gear, in fact I decided that if I got enough money I would do it. My dad said he wouldn't allow it, though I paid for the gear myself. I am hoping to convince him that this is really what I want to do, I have taken a lot of thought into this. I will be able to get more gear after college when I have a job. I would hate to think I would ever get out of ham radio, and that is not my intention. I will still have 2 meter gear, and though that really isn't has much fun as HF, that is about all I do anymore. Just a weekly net.

So lets cut to the chase, please let me know either here, or via email or PM what you would be willing to pay, or what you think these items are worth:

IcomIC-718, good condition with 1.8khz Inrad Filter and stock microphone, original box/manual
Kenwood R-600, works, very well as far as I can hear.
MFJ-971 Tuner, just over a year old
Heil Proset W/ 'ic' element less than a year old
Rigblaster M8 configured for IC-718 (but will include jumpers, manual and software) about a year old
Hustler 4BTV Vertical, just over a year old.

edit: left out that the Proset was a proset, with that element.

[KD7MSC]

Keep the radios and ask for a laptop for Christmas

[AG3Y]

I would think that you could get the going prices for most of your equipment by doing a search on E-Bay and seeing what some of the items are being bid up to there. Likewise, the buy,sell, and trade sections of this and other ham radio forums should give you a good idea.

Remember that EBay is a sellers market, and you might not get as good a price in an outright sale, but it should be a good indicator of how high the stuff would go under the most optomistic conditions. The ham forums generally don't list as high, but the sellers are usually more trustworthy. Remember, I am an E-Bayer myself, but I am speaking in generalities, here.

73, good luck in school! See you back on the bands when your life returns more to "normal" !

Jim

[KJ5T]

HA! I wish my parents bought me a Powerbook for Yule, but that won't be happening. There happens to be several others to buy gifts for, and so when you have 5 other siblings the cost of gift goes down. Note I didn't say the quality, but just the cost.

Jim, ebay is some good advice, but if I was going to sell I was hoping to sell here. The fact that ebay prices change depending on who looks at it. Those here will either want the items or not, and I will know what they are willing to pay if I put the query out here and this is just to see the possible amount.

[WB2WIK]

I won't suggest what the gear is worth, because I honestly don't know.

But if you're going off to college:

Do you know where you're going?
Do they have a laptop loaner program (a lot of colleges and Universities do)?
If not, they almost undoubtedly have student computer centers on campus (most Universities have several, often one in each dorm) with a lot of networked PCs set up and open 24 hours a day, for free, for students.

If so, you may not really need that laptop.

There are some great, smart, motivated students who don't have any money and are doing just fine in major Universities without owning their own notebook computers. My daughter is up at U.C.S.B., and I note the computer center in her dorm is "full" almost 24/7 with lots of students using computers there because they don't have their own.

A lot of them are the "top" students in the University.

WB2WIK/6

[AL7N]

I wouldn't sell any of your gear. Rathole it in a safe place for a while until you get comfortable at School, then you might want to put the HF stuff back on the air.

In my past experience, (been there, done that) selling your gear will just end up with you having a feeling that you have been screwed. Hanging on to it will make your Pop happier too.

Put off doing anything drastic for a while. If you need a laptop, find some other way of financing the purchase.

[KJ5T]

WIK, well using the laptop for college is just part of it. #I had wanted a Powerbook G3 before I was even a ham operator, and now I want a Powerbook G4 (but I would settle for the G3). #I know where I am going, yes they have computers on campus, but I really want a Powerbook, and if I could get enough money for my gear to get a decent one, I would do it.

al7n: Like I said, I have considered this, and I made my might up that this is what I want to do. I am now looking to see if I will get any quotes on any of the items. I may list this under for sale, I need to get some boxes for the stuff without original box. My mind is made up, and now I just have to convince my father to allow me.

[W5LDA]

http://s88932719.onlinehome.us/ham/boneyard2004.htm

[W5HTW]

Can't help you at all with "worth."

But can tell you to do what is practical. If the laptop is what you want/need at the moment, go for it. It's just that simple.

Search eBay. For each item individually. Despite all the bad talk about eBay, it does determine acceptable rates, like it or not. Not saying you should sell on eBay. Just check for correct or approximate pricing.

Also check the ads at QRZ and at QTH dot net, I think it is. These will tell you the general value of your equipment. And that will help you make the decision.

Frankly, if you are not on the air much, the laptop may be much better for you.

Good luck
Ed

[KD7MSC]

To ad to ED's post. When you get your new laptop you can work Echostink. I have been meaning to try it out, I just can't figure out where to plug my antenna into Good luck with school, maybe you can find a school or club station.
73, Sean