GOD LOVE THE "TECH SPECIAL"

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The always present, ever luring, low price "Tech Special" - is it the rig of your dreams, or is a nightmare in the form of a circuit boards? Good question I say to myself, but what can it mean to you?

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Usually the Tech Special (ed.- we'll just call it "TS" for the rest of our story) is either a fairly expensive or desirable rig at a very tempting inexpensive cost (there are a few notable exceptions where the seller only knocks off 15-20% of the used-but-working value, but then, that's another story). You'll find TS rigs on EBAY, at Hamfests, and on Amateur Radio Swap Nets...

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Sometimes the seller knows exactly what is wrong, and how much the part is, but just doesn't have the time or inclination to do it, so he sells it to someone else. But a typical TS seller might say (or post):"Tech Special Cherokee 1000. Powers up, but that's about all it does. It worked the last time it was used, several years ago. Should be an easy fix, or good for parts."

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"Should be an easy fix, or good for parts" could be one of those warning bells going off, depending on what vintage radio you are looking at. Example:

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Cherokee 1000 (along with all new rigs) - SMD (Surface Mount Devices) are used heavily on these circuits boards and require extra special attention when replacing - not to mention a BIG magnifying glass, and a steady hand with a needle pointed soldering iron. With solder-on jumpers/resistors/diodes, etc. The size of a pregnant fruit fly, you should consider the option of having someone else (i.e. - a professional) do the work, if it's feasible.

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To sum it all up....be cautious at tailgate sales (I got stuck with a unfixable Heathkit 9000 at one), Swapfests, and Ebay, especially if you hear some of the sale pitches mentioned above. One last thing: If you want to learn how to repair rig's, then a cheap price is what you're looking for. You'll definitely gain experience....

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SHIPPING CHARGES:

"WHY DON'T THEY MAKE SENSE?"

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Sometimes I think that sellers come up with their shipping charges by pulling them out of their Arse. For example, the cheapest route is "Parcel Post", next comes UPS "Ground", and finally the US Postal "Priority". I've seen many weird rates, and the one to your right really points out the problems....

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Parcel Post (the least expensive, and longest to arrive) is $11.92, while UPS Ground is $14.69 (ground takes awhile), but USPS "Priority" is only $10.55 and it usually arrives in 2-3 days!!!

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I don't know where the numbers come from but usually I prefer PRIORITY, and if you are sending something out, remember that they have 2 different sized boxes with a flat rate shipping charge - it could be 5lb's or 100lb's, the rate won't change, and, if you are buying something that would fit in a Flate Rate box and the seller only mentions Parcel Post under shipping, by all means send them an e-mail and ask if they could ship it via Flat Rate (afterall they have to go to the Post Office for both).

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I've done this several times with mixed results, but it was great paying $8.90 for something they wanted $14 for. If they decline to ship via another service which is less expensive, I would have to think that they planned on making extra $$$ from their shipping charges (IMHO).

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