We need more radios

You know what's a travesty in the world of ham radio? The shortage of 10 & 12-metre multimode radios. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, with only the McKinley, 6900, and 9900 making appearances. And guess what? These elusive radios have decided to play hard to get by hiking up their prices! It's like they're taunting us.  Take for example the President McKinley, in the last three years its price has soared by around 50 percent.

Finding a 10 & 12-metre multimode radio feels like an impossible mission. Blame it on the chip shortage and the ongoing recession — many radios are discontinued or perpetually out of stock, fueling our frustration.

With limited options like the McKinley, 6900, and 9900, the prices have soared, leaving shelves empty and frustration mounting. 

We're counting on industry leaders like President, CRT, Alinco, Anytone, K-PO, Albrecht, and more to save the day. We yearn for their innovation, delivering small-sized radios, with big displays, packed with impressive features, and great audio quality.

It's not just the 10 and 12-metre multimode radios that are breaking the bank; it's an epidemic that's spreading across the entire radio spectrum. From the luxurious HF base stations to the agile mobile, handheld and QRP rigs, the prices are soaring to new heights. It's like they want to keep us all longing and empty-handed. 

Just like a rollercoaster ride, economic downturns eventually come to an end. When that happens, brace yourself for an avalanche of sales and discounts. Companies that survive the next 18 months will be itching to make up for lost time. So, be patient and keep your wallet ready. The day will come when you can snag your dream radio at a price that won't make you question your life choices.

The root of the problem is probably the market segment, not a great number of users to actually buy the product. Whilst not defending the prices, manufacturers have to develop the radios then source the components and build them. Add to that scarcity of some chips and transistors and inflation, it all adds up to an increasingly expensive hobby.

Even older radios are commanding good prices on the market, I have just bought a 12 year old ham radio, and that made my credit card sting and my eyes water.

Well, funny you should mention that....I'm about to sell both my 9900 (Known over here as the Anytone 6666) and my President Grant II.  Just don't use them....no clue what they would cost to send to the UK, but if you're struggling, happy to chat via PM and find out.

I feel your pain. I bought a MC Kinley a year and a half ago, good radio but very small display and annoying combination of keys to access simple functions. Also needed to purchase an amp in order to properly DX. Add to that the fact that I had to expand the radio myself. After that I decided to get a Ranger base station RCI 2995 DX cf but could only purchase it in the US with no warranty and at a very steep price…not easy these days. I should have got a ham radio open to 11 meters right from the start as not that much more expensive than multi standard radios and way more effective…

13oots2 wrote:

The root of the problem is probably the market segment, not a great number of users to actually buy the product. Whilst not defending the prices, manufacturers have to develop the radios then source the components and build them. Add to that scarcity of some chips and transistors and inflation, it all adds up to an increasingly expensive hobby.

Even older radios are commanding good prices on the market, I have just bought a 12 year old ham radio, and that made my credit card sting and my eyes water.

Well I have just got a new 10m radio from a secret suppler for a fantastic price that cant and will never beaten

Wheel Nut wrote:

13oots2 wrote:

The root of the problem is probably the market segment, not a great number of users to actually buy the product. Whilst not defending the prices, manufacturers have to develop the radios then source the components and build them. Add to that scarcity of some chips and transistors and inflation, it all adds up to an increasingly expensive hobby.

Even older radios are commanding good prices on the market, I have just bought a 12 year old ham radio, and that made my credit card sting and my eyes water.

Well I have just got a new 10m radio from a secret suppler for a fantastic price  that cant and will never beaten

That's nice.

Wheel Nut wrote:

13oots2 wrote:

The root of the problem is probably the market segment, not a great number of users to actually buy the product. Whilst not defending the prices, manufacturers have to develop the radios then source the components and build them. Add to that scarcity of some chips and transistors and inflation, it all adds up to an increasingly expensive hobby.

Even older radios are commanding good prices on the market, I have just bought a 12 year old ham radio, and that made my credit card sting and my eyes water.

Well I have just got a new 10m radio from a secret suppler for a fantastic price  that cant and will never beaten

Is the radio make/model also a secret Bernie?

It was a CRT 9900, I won't and can't be beaten on price

Why the secrecy?…

Miura wrote:

Why the secrecy?…

           i might have an idea lol.

Alan Pilot wrote:

Miura wrote:

Why the secrecy?…

           i might have an idea lol.

Have a guess   hehehe

Stolen

Miura wrote:

Stolen

WHAT !!!         OK if you insist it was given to me  

13oots2 wrote:

It was a CRT 9900, I won't and can't be beaten on price

I second that