[Amps] Decline of homebrewing?

[Roger (K8RI)]

Ham Radio , 73, and older QSTs have some good construction articles. 
Most newer magazines construction articles, to me, are gadgets, or QRP. 
I have little to no interest in these.  To me, the standard 100W rigs 
are as low as I'd want to go.  The same goes for SS construction. A 
simpler 100W CW rig with a clean signal would be fine.  SSB is nice to 
have, but used to be, constructing a simple CW rig  in emergency cases 
was all you needed.  Today, you might be hard pressed to get an an 
answer to a CW plea for help.

I would add that the texts listed are good reference, but some may be 
beyond the average ham.

Home building is becoming a smaller % because most of today's new Hams 
have neither the knowledge or desire to build. We Hams as a whole have 
always been cheap.  We try to get the cheapest part without concern as 
to that cheap part's limitations.  There are notable exceptions to both, 
but they are relatively few.
That pretty much leaves few options for homebrewing.  QRP, amplifiers, 
and possibly antennas.
I see SSB transmitters without CW capability as being incomplete.

The complex circuits design, sophisticated/specialized parts, and 
circuit boards put all but the most simple designs beyond most potential 
(those with the desire) builders.  For that matter, the servicing of 
most rigs requires some expensive, if not specialized test equipment.

I disagree withe the cost reasoning, Money can be saved IF the 
individual has the ability to search and sort, reasonable swaps within 
handy driving distance, the ability to recognize the good from junk, AND 
the time and patience to slowly accumulate parts, then homebrewing can 
save money (if you don't count your time and few builders do!.)

Starting with 1911 "The Handbook" has had a bit about using surplus 
parts. No, things are not as plentiful, or cheap as in the 50s, 60s, and 
70s when we cold purchase GOOD 813 Tetrodes for $5, (I purchased new 
Eimac 8877s for $305  but some sources are "relatively" inexpensive 
compared to new US made. and high power tubes are available at rather 
inexpensive.  E-Bay has Chinese 8877s which are good tubes. Russian 
tubes are there by the bucket full. Triodes and Tetrodes to 2500 W 
dissipation and beyond.. There are even glass Pentode, a pair of which 
can run substantial power without forced air cooling  Of course as good 
tubes with easy application to Ham use tend to quickly increase in price.

Some of these tubes are available through American based distributors, 
tested, however knowing the tubes are good does cost a premium, but is 
usually worth the cost.

73,  Roger (K8RI0)

On 1/4/2017 8:08 PM, Richard Solomon wrote:
> If you are a member of the ARRL,
> you have access to all the old QST's
> in pdf format on the League website.
>
> The search engine works too !!
>
> Also, you can get the entire run of
> Ham Radio Magazine in pdf format
> for free on the web.
>
> That magazine was a Home-Brewers dream.
>
> 73, Dick, W1KSZ
>
> On Wed, Jan 4, 2017 at 6:00 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:


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