[TowerTalk] antenna choices

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

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 at 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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