Hilberling PT-8000A and linear bundle from MLS

MLS is advertising this bundle for the small sum of £17999. Maybe if you are an Arab Sheik you can afford this, but I certainly can not! 

Add on a tower and beam you would be talking about £20000!  Not my idea of amateur radio. Each to their own. 

If I was paying that, I would expect the buttons and knobs to be solid gold. Mind you, if you were a rich sheik I expect you can ask for that for a few thousands more!

The basic design is about 12 years old. You place the order and wait for it to be hand-built.

See The BEST Ham Radio You've Never Heard Of - Hilberling PT-8000A - YouTube

Amateur? radio

MLS has been appointed as the dealer of the Hilberling transceiver which retails for just under £12k. Yes, you read correctly - twelve thousand pounds!! 

I am sure it would be very good and some will buy it. At that price it should be superb. Add a linear, tower, rotator and beam and you won't see much, if any, change from £20k. To me this is not amateur radio. 

OK, each to their own, but I prefer to spend my money more modestly.  Even for a professional radio, this is stupid money in my view, but we are all different. 

If you want to spend this on a hobby - go ahead. Just remember you can communicate just as well across the planet with amateur radio spending a tiny fraction of this and you can video chat for free across the world with a low cost tablet or PC.