Universal Radio closing.

[kenglish]

Will there soon be no place to buy a decent radio?
First, we lost Gilfer Associates. Then, we lost Grove, and their publications.
Next week, we lose Universal Radio.

swling.com/blog/2020/11/end-of-an-era-universal-radio-is-closing-shop/

That pretty much leaves it to the few Ham Radio shops, who cater more to hams than listeners.

[David]

Call it the "Amazon effect". I truly believe Amazon (and eBay to a lesser extent) has been a contributing factor to the closing of several radio hobbyist shops like Universal and Grove Enterprises. Another contributor to the closing of some radio shops is that many people involved in the hobby are aging out and dying, and not enough young people are joining the ranks. Radio will always hold a fascination for me because I got "hooked" at a very early age, but getting young people interested in radio in the internet age can be very challenging.

Besides Amazon as a source for radio electronics and receivers, I've found Ham Radio Outlet to be the best source of equipment for radio geeks. They have a very good selection of used & open box items at reasonable prices. I got a good deal on a used Icom R-75 from HRO a few years ago, and the receiver's only drawback was that the previous owner had painted some of the knobs white because he was visually impaired. Since my eyesight isn't getting better with age, the Icom's cosmetic imperfection certainly wasn't a deal breaker for me, and it may actually be helpful in the years to come. 🙂