Used Ham Radio Equipment
Is it worth screwing with used ham radio equipment? YES! Most definately, but be careful.
Hams are a cantankerous lot. They don’t get rid of stuff that is useful unless they are dealers. Now it could be that the equipment is just old and they are tired of it. If the stuff is new to you and works, it might take you longer to tire of using it.
On the other hand, the stuff could be junk that has been hosed down and dried off so that it becomes presentable.
Unless you can have the equipment demonstrated under actual operating conditions, maybe make a few contacts and get some signal reports, don’t pay more than salvage value.
Even before you make an offer, pay attention to the conditions under which the item is being offered. Don’t make an offer on the stuff if you are confronted with any of the following:
‘I am selling this for a friend’
Could be his ‘friend’ does not even know he has it.
‘It worked the last time I used it’
That might have been 30 years ago when he first bought it new. Chances are good that if it was working, he would not be trying sell it.
‘It is in mint condition’
If he is not a dealer presenting you with brand new equipment with factory manual, box, and warrantee, he is lying to your face.
‘Complete with copy of the original manual’
If it does not have the original manual, it has been orphaned and probably more than once.
‘Power supply and mike are not included’
Might only have had time enough to steal the rig itself.
‘Very rare collectible’
If you are looking for collectibles at a hamfest, you are out of your mind!
You will just not find highly desirable equipment on the bargain table at a flea market or hamfest. That does not mean it cannot be useful but its usefulness will vary from person to person. It all depends on what their needs are.
Lots of old equipment began life in kit form. Make sure if that is the case for the item you are considering that it had life after assembly. An unusually frequent problem is that kits that never worked are being offered as valuable collectibles. Unless you are a junk collector, you may not be interested in such equipment.