Get Ready For Spike In Radio Prices

[SteveShannon]

45 minutes ago, Lscott said:

So is the tariff levy on the wholesale or retail value? If it’s the wholesale value for sure then the price for just about all imported consumer goods might not go up nowhere near where the fear peddling media wants the public to believe.

The price at the border. 

[WRUE951]

3 hours ago, WRTC928 said:

It won't impact the cost of radios as much as you may think. The tariff is collected on the value of the item at the port of entry. That $30 radio is probably only worth $6 on the dock. Most of the expense is in transport, advertising, handling, etc. A 25% tariff would mean that $30 radio went up to $31.50. Even a TYT TH-9800 probably is only worth $50-60 at the dock, meaning it would go up from $240 to $253. I think most of us will complain just a little and go right on uying radios.

i think your are pretty close to what we will see.  I watched a launch video for a new line of Laser Etcher (Roly) company in China He said the tariff increase could mean about a $25-40 dollar hike on their product (a $2500 item) but also said they have the option to ship the parts here to the U.S. than assemble and ship from the U.S. to avoid cost increases.  Im not sure how that works since they would still be shipping parts here to the U.S.  but i guess that could mean radios could be done the same way

[Hoppyjr]

So is the tariff levy on the wholesale or retail value? If it’s the wholesale value for sure then the price for just about all imported consumer goods might not go up nowhere near where the fear peddling media wants the public to believe.

I’m not too concerned as I believe the plan will work as intended.

That said, it’s never a bad time to buy new gear so I picked up a couple more Icom’s today; 2730 Black Edition and an ID-52 Plus.

[WRTC928]

19 hours ago, WRTC928 said:

It won't impact the cost of radios as much as you may think. The tariff is collected on the value of the item at the port of entry. That $30 radio is probably only worth $6 on the dock. Most of the expense is in transport, advertising, handling, etc. A 25% tariff would mean that $30 radio went up to $31.50. Even a TYT TH-9800 probably is only worth $50-60 at the dock, meaning it would go up from $240 to $253. I think most of us will complain just a little and go right on buying radios.

I'm almost certain the tariff is on the value of the item at the point at which it enters the US. Most of the retail price is incurred after the item is in the US, so it wouldn't make either logical or economic sense to place a tariff on it at the point of sale.

[WRTC928]

15 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

 they have the option to ship the parts here to the U.S. than assemble and ship from the U.S. to avoid cost increases.  Im not sure how that works since they would still be shipping parts here to the U.S.  

I think the concept is that the parts are less valuable than the assembled item. They'd still have to pay a tariff, but it wouldn't be as much as if they shipped a completed item.

[Lscott]

On a side note been checking the vendor lists for the Hamvention in Xenia Ohio next month.

https://www.make-it.ca/hamvention/

The inside booths are all sold out, or reserved. The notable thing is several of the big names are not going to be there. Alinco and Yeasu for two examples. Kenwood will be there but has a small foot print. So will Icom, and they look like they will have their usual huge display.

The flea market looks like it's also mostly sold out too.

This should be interesting given the crazy crap going on with traiffs right now. Hams buy a lot of imported gear of all types. Have to look and see what is going on price wise, and what kind of deals are being offered.

[tweiss3]

2 hours ago, Lscott said:

The inside booths are all sold out, or reserved. The notable thing is several of the big names are not going to be there. Alinco and Yeasu for two examples. Kenwood will be there but has a small foot print. So will Icom, and they look like they will have their usual huge display.

Both Alinco and Yaesu are listed as confirmed along with JVC Kenwood, Elecraft and Icom.

[Lscott]

1 hour ago, tweiss3 said:

Both Alinco and Yaesu are listed as confirmed along with JVC Kenwood, Elecraft and Icom.

I though I looked and didn't see them. I guess I F'd up and missed it.

[tcp2525]

On 3/30/2025 at 1:09 PM, Lscott said:

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/any-at-d578uviii

Who the hell is going to pay $485 for a $15 radio?

[WRUE951]

49 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

Who the hell is going to pay $485 for a $15 radio?

thats this month,, wait until next month.   

[tcp2525]

2 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

thats this month,, wait until next month.   

$485 for a $17 radio?

[WRUE951]

1 hour ago, tcp2525 said:

$485 for a $17 radio?

I just purchased a few batteries for my Hytera Radios.  The radio place i shop at told me to buy now, prices could come close to doubling once current inventories are gone.  Gonna get interesting on radios & accessories coming from China.   I guess India is going to get into manufacturing some of the China stuff like the Baufengs. etc.  I wonder if they will be as  cheap.  ?? 

[WRYZ926]

4 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

Who the hell is going to pay $485 for a $15 radio?

Plenty of people do pay that and more. Prices go up once you start adding digital modes such as D-Star, DMR, and System Fusion.And being tri-band also increases the price a little.

The Anytone AT-D578UV III Plus is a tri band 2m, 1.25m (220), and 70cm radio with DMR. Radios with D-Star or Fusion from Icom and Yaesu are similarly priced .

[tcp2525]

7 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

Plenty of people do pay that and more. Prices go up once you start adding digital modes such as D-Star, DMR, and System Fusion.And being tri-band also increases the price a little.

The Anytone AT-D578UV III Plus is a tri band 2m, 1.25m (220), and 70cm radio with DMR. Radios with D-Star or Fusion from Icom and Yaesu are similarly priced .

My point being is it's just a cheap Chinese throwaway radio. I like my Anytone radios, but when the price starts encroaching what the big three are asking, it makes no sense buying it. That money would be better spent buying a name brand radio with better quality control and support. I got all the digital modes covered so I understand what you are saying.

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, tcp2525 said:

My point being is it's just a cheap Chinese throwaway radio. I like my Anytone radios, but when the price starts encroaching what the big three are asking, it makes no sense buying it. That money would be better spent buying a name brand radio with better quality control and support. I got all the digital modes covered so I understand what you are saying.

Would you prefer the Alinco DR520?
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-dr-md520t?srsltid=AfmBOorP-QoBaYjvD5uaakcsmjMfHFbCLqEydOqNFMc7SJm6iB1ZVy_h
 

[LeoG]

2 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

My point being is it's just a cheap Chinese throwaway radio. I like my Anytone radios, but when the price starts encroaching what the big three are asking, it makes no sense buying it. That money would be better spent buying a name brand radio with better quality control and support. I got all the digital modes covered so I understand what you are saying.

After reading the soldering thread I'm not so sure about that.

[WRUE951]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

Would you prefer the Alinco DR520?
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-dr-md520t?srsltid=AfmBOorP-QoBaYjvD5uaakcsmjMfHFbCLqEydOqNFMc7SJm6iB1ZVy_h
 

thats a nice radio.   one of my camping buddies recently got one, I've had my eye on it since.  Everytime i turn around it comes and slaps me..  Might have to pull the trigger  

[Lscott]

37 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

thats a nice radio.   one of my camping buddies recently got one, I've had my eye on it since.  Everytime i turn around it comes and slaps me..  Might have to pull the trigger  

Looks like the Anytone radio, but with a slight change in the location of the buttons to the left of the display. I wouldn't be socked to find the firmware is from Anytone with a few tweaks.

https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/products/anytone-at-d578uviii-plus-tri-band-amateur-dmr-mobile-radio

[WRYZ926]

One of the local club members runs the Anytone AT-D578UV III and he seems pleased with it. He did have Bridgecom change the firmware on it so it will work on GMRS. 

I don't have enough coffee in me yet this morning, but it seems like Steve or someone else mentioned that they have an Allinco radio and it says Anytone when you first turn it on. 

And even some of the Yaesu mobile radios are made in China.

It's hard to get away from most everything we use being made in China now days. Though I did see where the President removed some or all tariffs on phones and computers. 

[WRUE951]

17 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

One of the local club members runs the Anytone AT-D578UV III and he seems pleased with it. He did have Bridgecom change the firmware on it so it will work on GMRS. 

I don't have enough coffee in me yet this morning, but it seems like Steve or someone else mentioned that they have an Allinco radio and it says Anytone when you first turn it on. 

And even some of the Yaesu mobile radios are made in China.

It's hard to get away from most everything we use being made in China now days. Though I did see where the President removed some or all tariffs on phones and computers. 

I'm hearing that Baufang is going to start farming out manufacturing to India.   I think we are going to see a lot of this happening,,,  Vietnam will be a manufacturing power house as well.  

[Lscott]

48 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Though I did see where the President removed some or all tariffs on phones and computers. 

I have my eye on one of these. It's on my bucket list of toys to buy at some point. Of course it's made in China. Most of the lower cost test gear is made there nowadays anyway. I always wanted one and the SSA3032X Plus looks good.

https://siglentna.com/spectrum-analyzers/ssa3000x-plus/

 

[tcp2525]

3 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Would you prefer the Alinco DR520?
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-dr-md520t?srsltid=AfmBOorP-QoBaYjvD5uaakcsmjMfHFbCLqEydOqNFMc7SJm6iB1ZVy_h
 

Alinco is supposedly 100% made in Japan, but this definitely has hallmarks of Mr. Chung. I had a 220 MHz Alinco and never used it because I also picked up the 65w Chinese special that works really well.

[WRYZ926]

13 minutes ago, Lscott said:

I have my eye on one of these. It's on my bucket list of toys to buy at some point. Of course it's made in China. Most of the lower cost test gear is made there nowadays anyway. I always wanted one and the SSA3032X Plus looks good.

https://siglentna.com/spectrum-analyzers/ssa3000x-plus/

 

A spectrum analyzer along with a good oscilloscope would be nice to have. But I really would not use either one often enough to justify the cost.

I've been wanting a QRP rig for a while and ended up ordering a Xiegu X6200 last week. I've been quite happy with the Xiegu G90 and the X6200 gets good reviews.  I looked into the Icom IC-705 and it has VHF and UHF where the X6200 does not. But the IC-705 costs quite a bit more and I can always use a HT for VHF/UHF.

[tcp2525]

18 minutes ago, Lscott said:

I have my eye on one of these. It's on my bucket list of toys to buy at some point. Of course it's made in China. Most of the lower cost test gear is made there nowadays anyway. I always wanted one and the SSA3032X Plus looks good.

https://siglentna.com/spectrum-analyzers/ssa3000x-plus/

 

I like mine.

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, Lscott said:

Looks like the Anytone radio, but with a slight change in the location of the buttons to the left of the display. I wouldn't be socked to find the firmware is from Anytone with a few tweaks.

https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/products/anytone-at-d578uviii-plus-tri-band-amateur-dmr-mobile-radio

And you'll also notice the casting of the body/heatsink that it probably came out of the same mold.