On 9/15/07, Ellen Rugowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > But as I've been told numerous times in the past few months, the days of the > cheapo "for the asking" old rigs seem to be going away. Oh well. Still, > the 30K1 is a prewar rig, and they are rare (as Jack mentioned). $3400 for > a 500 Viking seems over the top.
Some folks are still stuck in the "I used to pay $5 for those, so they aren't worth more" mode of thinking, despite everything else in the world costing more. The good deals are as numerous as we are resourceful. Convenience costs more. It really depends what you want it for, and how you look at it overall. For example, someone who wants to best, cleanest example for display or bragging rights will likely pay more money than any 'user' would. I always try to find rigs in good cosmetic shape paint-wise simply because it's the part of restoration I'm not well versed in, but I don't let a few flaws stop me from picking up an interesting rig (if it's within my price range, of course). Zorched parts, missing parts - generally not a problem. The 30K was actually a post-war model, some say styled after the pre-war 30J (one nice looking transmitter). In 1948 the selling price for the later 30K-1 and 310A-1 exciter was $1450. If you run that through an inflation calculator it comes out to $12647.39 in 2006 dollars. If you run $4000 backwards to 1948 dollars, it comes to $458.59. Certainly not chump change back then, but roughly one third of the 30K-1 selling price. The KW-1 tracks the same: the $3850 price in 1952 would've cost $28873.34 in 2006 dollars. Most KW-1s in nice shape the last decade have sold between $20-$25K with a few highs and lows either side. Not too far off, really. But clearly - if you'd bought a KW-1 new and stored it away for 55 years, you'd get your money back but not much more, so not a very good "investment". The Johnson 500 price between 1956-63(not sure if it varied) lists as $949.50 factory assembled. Even going with 1963 dollars to 2006, it still comes out at $6114.65. You'd pay that much or more for some of the latest plastic whizbang boxes. So it really comes down to what you want, what you enjoy, and what you're comfortable paying for your toys. Supply/demand, desirability, etc. It's only worth to you what you're willing to pay. And Wayne, I can certainly relate! I feel the same about the KW-1, bought mine in 1988 with a bunch of other stuff from an antique shop for $350 and had maybe $50 in it at the time (didn't even know what it was beyond a BIG transmitter). Wouldn't pay the going rate for one today, at least not with my current income. Had offers over the years to sell it, no way. It's too much fun to play with and work on. ~ Todd, KA1KAQ Collins 30K List: http://amfone.net/Collins/30k.htm ______________________________________________________________ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
