Setting up an assembly line for low volume products is an expensive
proposition. Then again, other than fixtures for drilling holes and
making custom insulators, what in building antenna "kits" can be
automated? One of my first jobs was working in an automotive plant
which thankfully was only a couple of years. So I'm well aquainted with
production lines and small parts even if it is old information.
Unless you are copying a proven design, or slightly modifying one you
still have warranty/service costs. Hams who have been around a few
years will remember "less expensive" antennas making wild claims that
didn't last long.
A manufacturer can purchase tubing in standard lengths of 24 feet and in
bulk for quite a bit less than DX Engineering sells it for, but theirs
is reasonably priced for small lots. Remember they are a retail
operation, so that tubing has probably gone through at least 3 levels of
sales.
To me, large ham antennas do not lend themselves to mass production like
TV antennas where the elements are small, thin, rolled sheet that is
fragile (read cheap) for a mass market. the entire antenna can be
assembled before shipping. The customer just snaps the elements into
place. Still, they are so fragile it's easy to break an element even on
top end models.
73
Roger (K8RI)
On 4/10/2015 12:56 PM, Bry Carling wrote:
Mass production always lowers the price. That is not a fair comparison.
Somebody somewhere is quite happily making Cushcraft antennas for a much lower
price than these multi thousand dollar antennas.
Best regards - Brian Carling
AF4K Crystals Co.
117 Sterling Pine St.
Sanford, FL 32773
Tel: +USA 321-262-5471
On Apr 10, 2015, at 11:56 AM, Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
On Fri,4/10/2015 8:08 AM, Bry Carling wrote:
It seems like very few antennas are affordable to the average ham.
It seems like they need some competition. With prices in the multiple thousands
of dollars for a few aluminum tubes somebody could make lot of money by being
less expensive...
When we buy a product, we are paying for design, manufacturing, marketing,
shipping, documentation, and support. None of that is free.
Want to reduce the cost of an antenna? No problem. Pull out the ARRL Antenna
Book, pick a design, order the hardware, and build it. Or get some version of
NEC and design it yourself.
While you're at it, keep track of the number of hours you spend. From the cost
of those overpriced antennas, subtract what you paid for materials, and divide
that number by the number of hours. Chances are it will be less than what you
could make flipping burgers at McDonalds.
73, Jim K9YC
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73
Roger (K8RI)
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