THE COST OF COLLECTING,

AND,

WHERE'S THE DX??

The cost of collecting is primarily dependant on the price of gasoline (or shipping). Ten years ago you could buy an old collectible rig for it's fair value, and pay about $10-$16 for shipping. Today, shipping/insurance/tracking charges are typically close to or greater than the price of the collectible (ed. - of course, depending on the average collectible). An older rig, worth $20 now costs (especially if tube) at least $20, closer to $30 to pay for shipping (and this seems to be for the lowest, longest form of shipping possible - "PARCEL POST"). There is no telling when a parcel post delivery will occur, and from what I've seen, it appears to be around 20 days or longer!!

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If you're buying via PAYPAL, this doesn't leave a lot of time for misgivings. And not knowing where in the hell the item you purchased is, can be something akin to self-induced torture (if you let it). I know that I've talked about this before, but it seems to me that carriers are not adjusting their rates when gas prices drop, but leaving them where they are, or even pushing it up a dollar or two. Advantage: Transportation companies. If you want the rig or other item for your collection, there is no other option.

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"DX"

I read the ARRL newsletter this week (as I do every week) and saw Tad Cook's report of sunspots and DX activity. For those of you who got some, "Congrats". I never heard a peep....

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