Sunday, January 13, 2013

Where does the money come from???


For some time now there has been a rumour of a new radio coming out from Kenwood.
In Japan Kenwood is anouning a new addition to the family of radios. They are saying the TS990S will be released Feb 2013.  It's a great radio with many features and great specs...but it comes with a very steep price tag.....9,138.78. I am just not sure how folks come up with the cash for rigs like this.

View of the TTF on the TS 990S
For more spec's TS 990S
Independent DSP filtering for each receiver
7 inch TTF display
3.5 inch TTF sub display
independent receivers
Updates via the internet

Below are some rigs with similar spec's and price tag to boot.
IC 7800
200 watts
independent receivers
7 inch TTF screen
12,500
FTDX 9000D
Has a TTF 6.5 inches
200 watts
Sub receiver
10,900
Of these and other companies who offers rigs under 2,000

Yasue has 5 HF radio's under 2,000 and 9 rigs above, Icom has 4 rigs under 2,000 and 4 rigs over. (not including IC 7100 as it's not out yet) Kenwood has 5 under 2,000 and one above. Ten Tec 4 rigs under 2,000 and 2 rigs over. As for Elecraft 2 rigs under 2,000 and no rigs over 2,000 ( I did not include the kit rigs as with Ten Tec as well)  Lets not forget Flex radio they have 2 rigs under 2,000 and 3 over 2,000 this includes the just released 6500 and 6700 series rigs. The market for Amateur radios under 2,000 is fairly decent but that still is a steep price for a rig. Lets not forget with a lot of these radios there are extras that may have to be purchased to have the rig you want. So just as there are Roll Royce and Bentley's so there are also the high end radio gear and they must sell  or they would not produce them.


17 comments:

Bert, PA1B said...

Hello Mike, what do you enjoy most? A 50 mW QSO using a 50 dollar attenuator or.... hi. 73, Bert

Jspiker said...

Hello Mike,

Makes my $400 Icom and a random wire one of the best buys I've ever made. Personally, I'd rather spend the excess on traveling.....MHO

VE9KK said...

Good afternoon Bert, yes I will say there is a great thrill in getting your signal of only 50mW or so confirmed. Sometimes when you use huge power it's almost like making a phone call.
Mike

VE9KK said...

Hi John, for sure your setup does the trick and you have had some amazing contacts. There are those who have the cash to both travel anywhere they want to go and purchase the big ticket radios as well. But having said that being one of those who has not got the means to do both I agree with you that travel is the way to go (along with some portable rig and antenna). Julie and I still talk about our England trip it was fantastic!!

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hello Mike, I was wondering too, where the money comes from. Their seems to be a lot of money among many hams. 9000 dollar rig... OMG. I saw a picture this morning of a Dutch ham and his shack. He sat down before 5 new latest rigs... why? You only can work with one. Complete madness, if you ask me. Oh, and 3 computer screens. A studio microphone. I began to feel silly with my simple station. Hi ... a joke of course. I keep it simple. Just challenge the basic ham station. 73 Paul

srmorrison1 said...

Mike,
I'm of the opinion it is a matter of volume as the production of one TS990S equals that of four wireless sets produced at 2K per unit. Perhaps, the margin of profit is a little more, at the current TS990S price point? Likewise, the price point may include third party distributors as well, who are passing their inventory cost along. Likewise, is the TS990S slated for mass production or limited production runs; Kenwood's marketing data may explain their price point choice however that's proprietary. Lastly, we can afford a TS990S aka Big Iron, it boils down to choice, priority, and wants. In sum, hopefully, the market place can establish the true market value for Big Iron?
73, DRR

VE9KK said...

Top of the evening Paul, Well I am going to keep off my soap box on this one as I do spot 3 monitors in my station and I do have a fully loaded K3, K2 with the bells and whistles and finally a KX3 as well. Maybe added up they come somewhat close to the big gun rigs.
Have a great week Paul and looking forward to the posts in your blog.
Mike

VE9KK said...

Scot it's great to hear from you...I know I give you have razzing about the nice weather down your way when it's snow and wind up here...but....this weekend the temps hit the +14C mark with is great!! As for the Big Iron yes if you were to add up the equipment in my shack then we would be at the price of a Big Iron or very close. But that was over a long period of time. Just don't have the coin to drop it all at once.
Have a great week in the sun Scot.
Mike

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hi Mike, oh boy, what did I say. ;-) Dutch immediacy, as they call it. It was not my intention to offend you. I think a lot of western world hams do have a good financial position. It's a matter of choice how to spend the money. I am satisfied with my FT450 and FT817. I do have another expensive hobby: photography and making videos. I do have several cameras and lenses. It takes a lot of money too. Have a nice day, 73 Paul

Anonymous said...

Well, if there is a marked for it (which seems the case) Kenwood (or one of the others) would be crazy to not develop a radio for it, right? I agree it's a lot of money for the hobby (and it's certainly not in my wallet) but if you do have it and want to invest, be my guest! I certainly would like a hour to play with one of these puppies :-)
That's why there are Porsche's and Ferrari's around. Couldn't afford one, but won't say no to a testdrive!

VE9KK said...

Good morning Paul, not to worry there was no offence taken at all. I was adding up what I had and seeing that it could in fact had purchased one of the big rigs...but just could not do it all at once. The comment section is here for everyone and anyone to state what is on their mind.
All is well at this end Paul.
Have a nice week
Mike

VE9KK said...

Yes to play with one of those puppies sure would be great!! There is a radio store in the city that has these large rig on display and the units are hooked up and there to play with. I will say it is tempting to spin the dial for a bit. Not sure if you have ever seen one of these rigs but they are HUGE!!
Have a nice week and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Mike

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Hi Mike, I remember 1983/84 I bought my first CB radio second hand. I saved money a long time for it. Even discussed the matter with my dad. Then my first real HF radio (IC-706 I still have) costs me 3800 dutch guilders (approx 1700 euro/2300 usd) saved a long time for that one too. I think if you have so much money that you can't spend it in a lifetime it doesn't matter what things cost. Just like mentioned before. Some can buy Ferarri some not. It shure are nice radios but never get you any further then the other side of the world. 73, Bas

John Marra said...

Agreed, a lot of money for a radio.

VE9KK said...

Good evening John, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read the blog and give your two cents worth. (no pun intended)
Mike

VE9KK said...

Good evening Bas, WOW 2300 that is huge money I can see how you must have had to save lots of coin. I can remember my used rig it was the Icom 745 I then as you did saved up my money and purchased a new Icom 735 and it was a great rig. At the time I worked for a local ham store as a part time job and was able to get a deal on the radio.
Have a great week Bas
Mike

Jspiker said...

You're very welcome. Hihi