Trials & Errors #79: Our Expensive Hobbies

Re: The 1965 Wagon. My dad took the family to a Studebaker dealer in 1965 to look at new wagons (which we couldn't afford). I was impressed that the roof could slide forward out of the way over the cargo area, creating a fake mini pickup truck bed for tall loads.

 

Years ago, K1TH had an article posted on the ARRL website, about learning to fly in the Boston area. His instructor told him, "You'd better tell [air traffic control] you're a student pilot. You talk better than you fly."

 

Thanks for jumping in Norm. I used to be a B&W photog and still get B&W Magazine. It's another fantastic, but expensive, hobby. Dave

 

Loss powor is back...

 

Mine, too. I suspect I'm a victim of AI spell check but I don't remember what I wanted to say. Oh yeah! Kodacolor is back!

 

I haven't been the same since Momma took my Kodachrome away!

 

Hi Dave,

Sorry it has been a while, been busy with a few things. Another good article which got me to thinking, you seem to be talented in that regard.

I believe, to some degree, that a hobby or hobbies that one pursues are as expensive as one allows them to be. One of mine, obviously, is AR. I do not need the most expensive rig available with the accompanying top tier accessories. I can do all I want with the 450D I have, though I recently received a FTDX 1200 from a SK that was left to me in his will. I appreciate it and was humbled by his gift, but it is doubtful I will used even half of its features. I am not in competition with anyone but myself, which helps me push myself to be a better operator rather than concerns who has the higher priced gadget. I am not into bragging rights or any of that rubbish.

I also enjoy and work on a lot of old valve (tube) equipment for myself or a few select others in the local AR community. I never charge except for parts as for me it is a constant journey that I truly enjoy and I have also journeyed into solid state as well to test myself and restored a Tek scope from 1982 recently. Learned a lot there which will guide me on the next one. There is always a next one! I also enjoy photography, I have moved from colour to monochrome for the time being, monochrome is more nuanced with lighting and is a learning curve due to that, but it sure is fun. My current project is designing a tube stereo amp with parts on hand, the goal being not to spend anything, use what I already have. The constant learning is worth far more to me.

I have no time for anyone bragging how much something cost for their hobby and trying to one-up me or others. I have all the time for those that quietly enjoy their hobby, don't brag, and are proud of what they have accomplished and even prouder to display or explain it because they did it and made it happen without fanfare. That really shows in their attitude and they are the most pleasant folks to relate to. And that attitude means more than money. It shows who a person is inside.

73's Dave
Tony
AA7FR

 

Hi Tony,

Thanks (again) for the comment. In particular, I agree with the paragraph quoted above. Well said! Dave W7DGJ

 

I would propose there is no inexpensive hobby. Some cost more than others, but once the knife embeds in pursuit of any hobby, the costs WILL increase. My hobbies in order of "investment":

1) Amateur radio. Initial investment was pretty high, but with that, I typically design and build anything else I need or want. I'm oldschool with nothing connected to the PC or laptops.

2) Play the Harpsichord. Printed sheet music isn't cheap, but there is a lot online. Initial investment in the instrument was the greatest in this category.

3) Radio astronomy. I do a lot of home brewing with both antennas, LNAs, and filters. The cost has been minimal. Also use freeware applications available online.

4) Gamma Spectrometry: Design and build my own probes and preamps. Also use freeware applications available online. The scintillator crystals and PMT's procured at minimal cost from online suppliers (who are also hobbiests).

5) Ionospheric monitoring: All home brewed so cost is absolutely minimized except for a very few home brew antennas (materials only) and LNAs. Also use freeware applications available online. This is reminiscent of the discontinued (denied) ionograms from NOAA.

3 and 5 do require an occasional purchase of low-noise gain MMICs from Minicircuits and a few others..

Yes, too many hobbies.

Long ago and far away even before I was licensed in 1960 (I'm approaching 80 YO), I learned to do with what I could lay my hands on. In those days, discarded TV chassis were a dime a dozen and were a virtual gold mine of parts and tubes. Many times they were free just to get them out of the repair shops. Discarded TV antennas also were free and good for constructing antennas on 6-meters and the FM BCB. I learned to home brew during those days. I also learned a whole bunch about the technical aspects of the hobby thanks to the OLD ARRL Handbooks (the newer ones are severely dumbed down in comparison!!). Once learned, it's a joy to be able to design and build what is needed or wanted. I still enjoy that aspect of the hobby, but over the years and once having worked for the "old" HP, I have a relatively complete set of RF test gear to keep my creations honest and "legal" for the FCC once constructed.

HOWEVER: The hobby has changed with the plug-and-play craze. I don't relate........

Dave - WØLEV

 

I don't agree that the Handbook is "dumbed down". I find that in an effort to cover everything for everybody, the Handbook has bloated far beyond a useful size and scope. Who is it FOR? No longer just the average amateur.

 

Nice Conversation, Dave.
The time investment in hobbies changes a bit over time, but in addition to radio - fishing, astronomy, and repairing things myself all make the list.

 

Thanks for jumping in, Sean. The topic of "repairing things myself" is an interesting one. It is certainly broad, but I know that some people get great pleasure out of fixing an old toy, restoring an old piece of furniture, or getting into an old radio and putting new caps in. Sounds like a lot of fun, and a lot less expensive than some! Dave, W7DGJ

 

I am relatively new to HF (2023) and still have a very basic station. I currently run barefoot with a FT-710, off-center fed dipole, and a 30-foot tower. I have been very successful with 100 watts and a wire, and I'm having a blast! I love breaking through pileups! It is so rewarding and I giggle every time. Honestly, I have little desire for a more costly and complicated station. My current setup is so easy to maintain and very weather-resilient. It would be great to have a big tower and a stack of beams...until the ice storm hits. I like simplicity and reliability.

 

Thanks Jordan. There's nothing quite so relaxing as rag-chewing on CW late at night when the house is quiet. Dave

 

I will give my 2 cents worth. I am very new to this hobby, May 2026, and yet I have acquired a 7300, 891, and QRP Labs QMX, along with multiple antennas and a couple of cheap HT's. When I dive into new hobbies my wife knows it is going to cost money. That is why we have combined money and separate money. Separate money goes into hobbies so neither of us can complain about what we spend. She just rolls her eyes and shakes her head and grins when boxes arrive at the house.

I went down the bourbon rabbit hole a few years ago and have quite a nice collection.

The best part about hobbies is they can be as cheap or expensive as you want them to be. Money is different for everyone so what is inexpensive to one could be expensive to another.

I have so much to learn and that is the best part about this hobby to me.