Yesterday, I got two tips from readers regarding deals on some used radios.
First off, Richard Stahl, noted this Panasonic RF-2600 being sold on QTH.com for $110.00. The photo is a little blurry, but the seller notes:
A nice condition looking and playing radio that has no damage or smoke smell etc. The only item not working is the dial lamp went south, an easy replacement. Battery box is clean and runs off ac power as well.(cord included) I am asking $110.00 and will help some on the shipping costs, Pay Pal is ok I will eat the fee. Tnx & 73
That is not a bad deal for a working RF-2600. Of course, you’d need to assume if the capacitors have never been replaced, that might need to be done in the near future. Recapped? This would be a superb receiver. I know Vlado has re-capped and restored these before.
Speaking of Vlado, the second tip is that he is selling a number of used radios from his own collection. All are in good working condition–he would provide photos with cosmetic condition. He claims on the site that they’re for local pickup only, but I’m betting he would quote a shipping price if you ask nicely.
Here’s the list at time of posting:
- ICOM IC-746PRO in a box, with microphone.
- Kenwood R-1000 Shortwave receiver with power cord.
- Kenwood TS-50 HF transceiver with DC power cord and mic.
- ICOM IC-271H with built in power supply, microphone included.
- Kenwood TS-870S with microphone and DC power cord.
- Kenwood HF Transceiver TS-850S with 2 CW filters (455KHz/8.8MHz IF filters), desk microphone MC-50, DC power cord, voice recording unit, remote memory control unit RM-1. Great condition. Note: My DX companion since the days of ZS6MG.
- ICOM IC-7000 with microphone and DC power cord (Note: Minor issue with the Band Down button cover missing, otherwise great condition).
- Sony ICF 2010 AM/FM/SSB Medium wave, SW, FM and Airband receiver with AC/DC adapter. Few available.
- Sony ICF SW-100, Shortwave and FM pocket receiver, AM, FM, SSB. Few available.
- Kenwood TS-2000X transceiver, HF/VHF/UHF and 1.2GHz, DRU-3 digital voice recording unit, VS-3 voice synthesizer unit, microphone and DC power cord.
- ICOM IC-745 with FM unit, fully loaded with filters, keyer board, microphone and DC power cord.
He hasn’t listed prices on these, but if you’re interested, just inquire. His email is vlado -at- hamradio.repair. Click here to view his rigs for sale. If you buy from Vlado, you’ll know that the radio will work as it should.
I would definitely buy a used radio from Vlado, he sounds like a professional through and through.
The thing to remember when buying solid state mulitiband radios online is that you’re buying “a pig in a poke.” Meaning you are buying a radio at your own risk.
Radios from the 70s/80s/90s-(Panasonic Command Series and the Sony classics: ICF-6800, ICF-2021, etc.) are now to the point where components likecapacitors, displays, knob/switches etc.are failing due to age.
Unless you can repair or restore the radio, don’t buy it. Just admire the photo online.
This is the review IF did of the R-1000 on Eham; “Bought one when they first came out in 1980 and had a ball with it for years. Only had a longwire indoors but still heard a ton of DX. Had West Radio install mechanical filters, one for AM and one for SSB and that made a big difference on receive. Also added a weighted tuning knob that came from a TS-830 and that made tuning very sweet. Sadly I had to sell it to finance a used loaded TS-840SAT once I got my General ticket. If I never bought the R-1000 I would have never gotten interested in ham radio.”
The radio lead to my love of technical things and I feel that it helped me in my career. I worked in PC and server support for EDS, HP and then GM all in the same facility for 35 years.
N8FNR
Says, Local pickup only, unless prior arrangement is made