You can still get most tubes -- for a price, but you can get them.
You can still get most discrete components of the thermionic era -- for a
price, and sometimes you have to settle for a very close substitute, but you
can get them.
The day, though, is not far off where these components will become too
expensive to obtain for the average ham, if they are at all available. And
when that sad day happens, Jim's comments will be just as appropriate.
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Martin, AA6E
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 6:22 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Product Obsolescence
On Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 3:59 PM, Jim Brown K9YC
<k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>wrote:
> Any product is obsolete when it stops working and cannot readily be
> repaired. The Hercules I with a blown output device is a prime
> example of that. I own three Titan 425s and a Hercules II. I can
> afford to own these nearly 30 year old products because they
> reasonably well designed, are practical to work on myself, and are
> utilize parts that I can find at low cost.
>
> ...
>
> Bottom line -- I'll take a software/firmware based radio any day!
> The most important thing is buying one from a great company.
>
> 73,
>
> Jim Brown K9YC
I'd accept your facts, but I might come to the opposite conclusion. My 30
year old Kenwood TS-520S is completely pre-digital and works as well as it
ever did - far from today's state of the art, but enough for lots of good HF
work. There are no exotic parts (no ICs) that couldn't be replaced (or
substituted for) if anything fails. It could probably run for another 30
years.
Any radio with custom ICs, microprocessors, etc. (like my Orion) is dead
when a critical and irreplaceable part fails. In the extreme, you have to
regard modern rigs as disposable. If they break, it may be more expensive
to repair than to replace, if repair is even possible.
The good news is that price/performance continues to improve, so maybe you
would have wanted an excuse to upgrade. ;-)
73
--
Martin Ewing, AA6E
Branford, CT
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