[CQ-Contest] Cost of Radios Then and Now

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

And the comparison is even less valid when you consider improvements in 
performance, quality, durability, etc. This applies to virtually all 
technological goods, not just electronics.  My first hard drive was 10 
MB and cost $250, and had an MTBF on the order of 1000 hours.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 6/18/2013 1:03 PM, Michael Clarson wrote:
> Charles: These exercises are always interesting. All the items you listed
> are electronics and electronics is a special case that does not track the
> CPI. For example, a 19" color TV cost at least $600 in 1958, yet in 1997
> (when CRTs still were the TV mainstay) a 19 incher could be had for $99,
> which works out to $17.83 in 1958 Dollars. Also working backwards, a $2500
> K3 would have cost $310.16 in 1958, way less than top of the line Collins
> equipment. When one uses things that are more staple (Gasoline and
> cigarettes, for example) the numbers are much closer to reality.
>
> I used http://www.coinnews.net/tools/cpi-inflation-calculator/ to figure
> this out. --73, Mike, WV2ZOW
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 18, 2013 at 12:05 AM, Charles Harpole <hs0zcw at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> *Radio Costs Then (1958+) and Now (2013) all US Dollars*
>>
>>
>>
>> Johnson Viking Valiant:  1958, $430;    today$3,500.
>>
>> Johnson Desk KW: 1,600;  13,000.
>>
>> WRL Globe King:  800;  6,500.
>>
>> Hallicrafters SX-101:  450;  3,600.
>>
>> Drake R-4C:  550;  4,400.
>>
>> Collins 75A-4:  700;  5,700.
>>
>> Collins KWM-2:  1,150;  9,300.
>>
>> Drake TR-3:  550;  4,400.
>>
>> Swan 350:  450;  3,600.
>>
>>
>>
>> Hallicrafters SX-99: 150;  1,200.
>>
>> WRL Globe Chief:  75;  600.
>>
>>
>>
>> So my modest KN4VUD Novice station cost $1,800. new;  dipoles extra.
>>
>>
>>
>> My current regular retirement Social Security would have given me $222. in
>> 1958.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Charly, HS0ZCW
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