Buying a Rig for the Museum
As I’ve reported before, we have been awarded a $10,000 grant by the IEEE for setting up an amateur radio station at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. $3,000 has been allotted for a transceiver. There are a lot of options, so I’m asking for some help. Here’s some of my thinking so far:
1. Don’t purchase anything and use our club’s IC-746PRO for a while.
PROS:
- The IC-746PRO is a good performer, and lots of us already know how to operate the radio.
- Will give us time to try to get a manufacturer to donate a radio.
- We could use some of the money for other stuff for the shack.
CONS:
- Ties up the club’s radio at the museum.
- Technology is not quite as impressive as some of the newer radios, such as the IC-756PROIII or TenTec Omni-7. (The HOM people want impressive.)
2. Purchase another IC-746PRO for the museum.
PROS:
- The IC-746PRO is a good performer, and lots of us already know how to operate the radio.
- We could use some of the money for other stuff for the shack.
CONS:
- Technology is not quite as impressive as some of the newer radios, such as the IC-756PROIII or TenTec Omni-VII. (The HOM people want impressive.)
3. Purchase a TenTec Omni-VII.
PROS:
- New technology, good performance.
- Has features that will make remote control somewhat easier.
CONS
- Eats up the entire budget for a radio.
4. Purchase an Icom IC-756PROIII.
PROS:
- New technology, good performance.
- Impressive display.
- Price includes power supply.
CONS
- Eats up the entire budget for a radio.
Sooooo, what do you guys think?
