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Selling Ham Radio Equipment
2 June 2018 | by 
As an auctioneer based in Kansas City, David Schulman, WD0ERU knows a lot about selling things. But Schulman is a little different than most auctioneers: his specialty is selling ham radio equipment.
His business, Schulman Auction, offers an end-to-end solution for those families or hams who want to downsize their current estate, or completely liquidate their amateur radio or vintage electronics gear. They pick up estates from all over the country and take care of all the logistics of the selling process.
Although he’s been a licensed ham for four decades, he didn’t immediately appreciate the amateur radio community’s need for full auction services.
“I had a very large ham estate that I was selling at a weekly consignment auction,” Schulman says. “It did so well that I started thinking about taking ham gear online and see what happened.”
His auction business has grown substantially in just over a decade and he now has buyers from around the world and sellers from all over the United States.
While it can be easy to list gear on eBay or Craigslist, sometimes sellers don’t realize that they’re losing money when a buyer can’t verify that an item is actually “as described.” Schulman related one such case where he was working with a seller to auction a Hewlett-Packard signal generator.
“You could buy them for $300-$400 all day on eBay and other venues,” he says. “This one particular unit brought close to $1,000 dollars.”
Why did this particular one sell for almost three times the going rate? Schulman says for many buyers, getting the best price is about seller credibility. “When I asked what was so special about this unit, he said, ‘you tested it and provided all the data I needed, and I was willing to spend the money necessary to get it because I just never know what I’m getting on eBay.’”
What’s hot in the market right now? He says there are a few different things that seem to get the attention of serious buyers:
- Collins gear, both S-Line and the black boxes, such as 75A-4’s, generate quite a bit of interest, as do the “newer” vintage gear from the 80s and 90s.
- Anything Kenwood, Icom or Yaesu
- Equipment that is difficult find such as a Hallicafters SR-2000 Hurricane Transceiver with matching PS-2000 power supply or a Hammarlund HC-10 SSB Converter
- Military R-390’s and R-390A’s command decent prices and get a lot of attention
- Hewlett Packard test equipment from the 80s-90s does extremely well. They were built tough, and are still extremely accurate if they were kept in decent shape
Schulman says that no matter how you sell your gear, you should watch out for some common shipping pitfalls.
“Always check with the shipper and get an estimate first. You don’t want any surprises,” he says. “In each lot listing we have in an auction, we include the dimensions and weight of an item. The shippers contact information is also included. Some folks are truly surprised when they only spend $10 on something, to find out that it will cost over $50 to ship.”
It’s important to remember that the value of an item doesn’t dictate the shipping cost. “All shippers — UPS, USPS, FedEx — charge based on dimensional weight of an item,” Schulman says. “If your 10 pound item that cost you $10 has to be packed in a box that is 20 inches on all sides, you’ll get charged at the 60-pound rate. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is in the industry now, and we have to keep that in mind when bidding on these items.”
Another piece of advice: don’t skimp on the packaging. Here are his tips:
- Let the pros do it. Not just any UPS or FedEx location, but those that have the knowledge of packing and shipping this type of gear. Even though a vintage radio might have only cost the buyer $25, that radio might be one of a kind and irreplaceable.
- Use double wall cardboard boxes and double box when necessary.
- Wrap your radio in bubble wrap or plastic sheeting so that the packing materials don’t get lodged inside the chassis — but be careful because in some cases bubble wrap can chafe against the face of a radio and cause permanent cosmetic damage!
- Styrofoam peanuts are difficult to remove from chassis due to static and breaking down and disintegrating — don’t use peanuts if at all possible on items that weigh over 30 pounds.
- Use Styrofoam planking or foam inserts instead. It’s much more difficult for a heavy item to move around inside the box using these materials.
Buyers really like to know what they are getting as opposed to buying on self-service sites like eBay and Craigslist where they often see “I have no way to test this” or “powers up” — or worse. “I think this is one reason why our auctions have become so successful,” he says.
“I’ve talked to many families of SK’s who would have just scrapped their loved one’s ham gear if they didn’t find me,” Schulman says. “That is one of the things I love about doing what I do. I can’t save it all, but I know what I do sell will generally get into the hands of other hams who will use and enjoy the equipment.”
46 Responses to “Selling Ham Radio Equipment”
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Just finished working with David since last fall. A very good friend had a lot of equipment, – high end, vintage as well as current transceivers plus many parts, tubes, etc. Most people wanted to come in and cherry pick the lot, which sometimes leaves a lot of odds and ends of no value. Contacted David, he and his crew of great guys came to the house with a 24′ truck. Cleaned out the basement. The gear brought excellent returns for my friend’s wife and family. We all have to be very careful about selling our gear today but no worry with David. He is the real deal.
I’ve bought many items from David. Always a good deal and exactly as advertised. He takes a lot of the uncertainty out of buying ham gear online.
Sounds like a good way to handle those SK estates.
I’ve bought various radios from David, and was quite impressed with the selection, information provided, and the ease with which the entire transaction was handled. The UPS store he uses for shipping to those who buy online is a little pricey in their packaging, but if you’re buying a old radio that is hard to come by, it’s worth it.
Would like to know how I could receive information on the items
Hi, have an enormous selection of ham radio equipment and electronics, gadgets from the very beginning of radio. My husband passed away and am left with everything imaginable including large antennas on our roof. I would like some direction as to how to sell this whole collection without going to have to sell them piece by piece. He has a fifty year collection of traffic signal controllers and boards. You name it, we might have it..even morse code items and first ww2 pilot microphone and transceivers – we keep on uncovering more and more. Need help in selling all of this accumulation. We read information on your site and became more educated. Makes more sense buying items from rather on ebay from someone else. Thank you very much.
Would anyone be able to help me buying the whole lot of ham radio gear, test equipment/meters/so many early communication items. I have an enormous amount – it’s been over 2 mos sorting things out and seems like we’re coming across more and more.
Would anyone want to buy this whole lot – you could start your own business..it’s like a gold mine with everything I have..please try to help.
Thank you
Trying to get info on how to sell my deceased fathers equipment. A lot of vintage stuff. Help please!
Want to clear out radio room. No longer active. 6 meter tube transceiver and other peripherals. Also have test equipment and box of tubes.
Trying to sell the following equipment for my dad, do you have any interest?
Alinco DX-70 Transceiver – S/N T001942, SSB Transceiver Kenwood TS-520 s/n 240588, Comet Antenna model CA-HV, Bird RF Direction Thruline Wattmeter Model 43 s/n 247675
I have used equipment to sell. A Yaesu FTdx 1200 with mic, power cord, manual. I do not have the manual.
A Kenwood TS-590S with mic, power cord and manual. Original box.
I have a 3-500Z tube for sale $250.00 EIMAC
I have some equipment I would like to sell, icom 7700 many extras,… Need a fair price.. I will send a full list if interested.. thanks
My father passed away last year. I have 8 different keys for sale. One of them is a rare find. I can send you pics if interested. Thanks much, Cindy smith
Selling all ham radio equipment dated 1990-2018 Sat, Jun 1, 2019 at Palo Alto, California citywide yard sale. Addresses featured on the official yard sale map that will be issued on the website and in the May 31 edition of the Palo Alto Weekly. Thank you.
Following Ham gear to sell:
Kenwood TS-520S / VFO-520S / AT-200 / SP-520 / MC-50 / DS-1A DC-DC Converter.
ICOM IC-255A 2M
BENCHER IAMBIC PADDLE
NYE STRAIGHT KEY
SWAN SWR-1A METER
Please let me know how I can sell the above gear.
Thanks, John
looking to sell complete station
I have the following to sell
Kenwood TH-25AT (2 meter radio)
Icom IC-02AT (2 meter radio)
Please advise if you can help
Thank you
Harold
Wife of silent ham
Would like information on your fees on your fees.
I have 2 Alinco radioes handheld: 582T (2/440) DJ!FT (2 mtr) and Quick charger (fits both) cigaret lighter plug/charger and Alinco EMS-8 mic. ALL in Super Nice Clean and Totally functional. The only item that would need replacing on these is the batteries. The 582T can still be charged but do not last too long. Also have RH77 Antenna 2/440 which can be attached to either of these rigs for better range.
I am looking to sell all. Can you advise me on where to place these items for sale to someone who would appreciate them? As mentioned ALL items Clean and Functional. Thanks, Joey Sudyka
I have alot of microwave connectors filters lamps cables as well radios of all makes icomm kenwood some police radios and tektronic test equipment.
My husband passed away in 2019. He has a lot of used equipment that i need to get rid of.Do you buy used equipment and do you pick it up. I need it to go asap. Its in good shape, no knobs or anything missing. Its a little dusty because its been sitting. Nothing that can’t be wiped down. Not exposed to pipes,cigars, etc. I live in Hyattsville, Md. Please help me if you can. Thank You. L. Jackson
I have an Icom IC-2820h VHF/UHF mobile radio with GPS/DStar chip installed. I am the original owner, it’s never been mobile, it was installed in my desk as a base station. Selling it for $300 plus shipping – my email address is good on QRZ.com – let me know if you are interested.
Thanks
Bruce
7 3
W6JJ
Hello
Uncle in law just passed. He has quite a bit of equipment. I can send pictures. How does all this work. I live in Winston-Salem , NC
Thanks you for your time.
Mark jennimgs
I have a taste 1200 used once power supply and microphone dual timer and more would like to sell everything is in original boxes.
Yaesu
Interested in fees, my dad, K9YLI, died earlier this month and he was a bit of a ham radio pack rat, frankly I don’t know what most of this is, there’s stuff from built racks to large boat anchor weight radios, portables in cars, I know one is a dual bander, but a lot of this stuff, including Heathkits, Yausu, are vintage stuff from 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. I would certainly love to see his items make someone else smile and be of use, rather then sold as scrap or recycled at the local best buy. There’s tube stuff to, and I’m fairly certain some spare tubes, and I thought there was a crystal radio as well somewhere. But its taken over the basement of his house. It would make him happy too, to know his stuff went to people that wanted it and would use it.
I have an SB 200 in very good condition very clean and puts out 1000 watts on every band. I would like to sell it. ASAP
My sister (the Executrix) wants me to cut back on the amateur radio and electronic parts I have collected. She says,”If you don’t, my way of dealing with it is the trash.) She is deadly serious.
I have several radios that are still in their boxes with all parts and literature. Some I used but saved all of the packing in case it would need repair. I even have a roll of 7/8 ” heliax and a roll 0f 1’2 “, about 50 feet
and assorted connectors and installation tools.
I would not attempt to inventory the electronic parts, from d.c. to r.f.
Let me know how to start the ball rolling.
My incentive is moving out of the house that my wife and I bought. Since she passed away, I have too much to handle.
New sub.
I have quite alot of older ham radio equipment, mostly Yaesu, plus some older commercial hand-held radios.
Lots of support equipment.
Do you have any people you work with in western Oregon?
Looking to liquidate my late father’s ham equipment. He had a complete, well equipped ham shack, along with a multitude of collector radios stored in a bedroom closet. Several Collins S-line pieces, Drake, Kenwood, Alpha and lots of accessories (mics, keys, spare tubes, etc.). Also have an antenna and tower (with rotor). Vintage radios appear like new and are in original boxes. Daily use radios also appear like new. I have a list of all the key pieces of gear, as well as pictures. Looking to see what steps I need to take to move this equipment on. Thanks.
My husband died and left many radios, assorted gear, antennas. These items need to find a good home.
Have a room full of everything left from my husbands passing. Guess that sounds familiar. Need to sell everything ASAP. Not getting any younger and don’t want it around for my children to have to deal with. Do you come and buy out?
Help is greatly needed. Live in Myrtle Beach SC.
Jackie
WHAT HAVE I GOT?
COLLINS 75A4 RECEIVER
YAESU FT-950 WITH USB INTERFACE SCU17
ICOM 7300- BRAND NEW
VIBROPLEX BUG-ORIGINAL STANDARD
ASTRON RS-35M POWER SUPPLY
HOW SHALL WE DO BUSINESS?
Have all in exellent condition=Yaesuft950-Ameritron AL 811 H brand new tubes
lookinstalled LDG AT-1000 Pro11 Autotuner like new .all ;look like new and work exactl
I have many, many great pieces of ham radio to sell. Can I sell it to you in one lot?
Have brand new in the box Kenwood THD74 forsale. Own 3 and only used 2 so I don’t need the 3rd one as I picked up a few ID 52s to play with.
Hello my dad was a ham radio guy he just passed away im I’m looking to sell all his equipment im not into it if anyone can guide me in the right direction please reach out ty
Mel passed away lots of ham equipment for sale .
I have a lot of equipment too (some of it very good). Any advice on how to sell it in bulk would be appreciated!
I would like to sell an LDG Z100 auto turner with wall wart and copy of manual.
New Rugged radio 1/2 wave vhf antenna and a Jetstream JTM6NMO magnetic mount with extra allen screws and allen wrenchs.
I am looking to purchase an MFJ 16010 manual turner so I can get an HF station on the air from my apartment.
Bob passes away. Have all of his equipment to sell. transceivers chargers,Power supply and much more. Any help on how to sell it would be appreciated.
Can I sell things here?
Thanks
Bill
I downsizing my ham shack. I would like to sell this all to one buyer.
Icom ic-v86 with speaker and charger
Yaesu ft-70d with speaker and charger and extra battery
Icom ic-t10 with charger
Icom ic-70a with charger
Alinco dj-vx50 with charger
Icom ic-v80 with charger
All in excellent condition
hello, I am not a ham operator but a house we bought has a k1550 telescoping antenne that probably runs fifty feet high. I would like to sell it but have no way to do that. Am 89 year old disabled vet and would sell at good price. It is in great shape and no rust or corrosion. cable wench is good!
We live on Texas coast near Corpus Christi, Tx. Appreciate a way to sell this item that is still standing at the address.
Mario Scorza
254-715-0243