[wglb]

It turns out that on the extreme end, the ratio grows to $4 or more per antenna for $1 in radio/computers/etc. A well-equipped tower can have $10,000 worth of parts. This does not count the labor.

The scale range of fun in Ham Radio is quite large.

[VLM]

True, but don't forget SO2R and multi radio contesters, and there do exist $10K tower systems but there also exists radios like the $10K IC-7800 or the merely $8K IC-7700 series. So it is possible to maintain the 1:1 ratio.

Its not entirely audiophile. Impressive engineering, cutting edge stuff, for that price. IP3 of +40 dBm? 110 dB dynamic range IF strip with multiple AGC loops? how the...

[wglb]

I do know a few who have the $10k Ic-7800. They have multiple stacks--often one for each band. The ratio there is still in teh 4:1 range.