Fix or Replace?

Is it worth repairing? Or should I buy a new rig?

There is usually not an obvious answer to this question. Many things influence our decisions on such a matter.

Our mission at B&B Tech is to help you to be happy with your decision and to enjoy your Ham Radio hobby more. Therefore we may offer an opinion on whether you should "fix" or "replace".

The first consideration is the cosmetic appearance of a rig. You are going to be sitting in front of it for a long time (hopefully, hi). Does it look nice? Would you be proud to show it off to visitors to the shack, or would you throw a dishtowel over it?

Next, can we in fact repair it? Can we (B&B) get parts for this model; or can parts be substituted and still have acceptable performance? Often the answer is yes, but there are exceptions. Contact us here for our opinion on your rig.

We must also consider what the cost of a FUNCTIONALLY EQUIVALENT REPLACEMENT would be for your rig AND all accessories? While there is no hard-and-fast rule, we often use ONE THIRD: If we think the unit can be repaired for 1/3 the cost of an equivalent (but working) rig, or less, then it's probably worth doing.

Concerning vintage rigs, indeed such a beast might not be replaceable at any reasonable cost; then of course you may end up with one that is worse off than what you have.

Finally, you could have some emotional or other reason to repair versus replace. If it was Dad's (or Mom's) radio, or it's been in the family a long time, that would influence your decision. Also if you are familiar with the operation of the radio and less-than-willing to go through a new learning curve, that would influence your decision.

Some rigs simply are not worth repairing. We may recommend instead selling it AS IS on Ebay or via QTH.COM or EHAM.NET classifieds, and then using the proceeds to buy new gear. AS IS sales on the Internet often bring more than you think; hamfest sales of broken or older gear often don't net as much.

Please email us with your queries and concerns; we are glad to help you make the decision...

FIX OR REPLACE?

Thanks for taking the time to read our humble opinions.