A El Paso Ham store?

Andy KF6PVT

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Nov 22, 2012, 9:13:18 PM11/22/12

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I have often heard talk of hams wanting a store in El Paso.. Is there really enough demand to justify a store?

Doug AE5HE

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Nov 24, 2012, 11:25:56 AM11/24/12

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I agree with you Andy, I have heard several times that El paso should have a retail radio store. With the competition from online retailers, it would be difficult for a local retailer to compete. I believe most people would go to the store to see if they want a particular product, then order it online to save five bucks.

Ham Radio El Paso

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Nov 25, 2012, 10:46:57 AM11/25/12

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Andy

I think every ham in the area would love to have a store in El Paso. However, I agree with Doug. It would be almost impossible to compete with online retailers and maintain any real stock, and you would also have to pay sales tax for each purchase you made in a local store. How often does the average ham buy a new radio?

It would not be economically feasible for anyone to have a storefront here. There are not enough active hams in the area to support such a store, and the store owner would have to sell lots of radios each day at little profit to keep the doors open. Even Radio Shack doesn't have much of a market for simple things coax cable, connectors, etc.

On a side note, the largest 2-way radio dealer in the world has a location in El Paso. Not many people know that. You can actually go to their store and buy some Icom ham radios, antennas, repeaters, etc. That business is El Paso Communications, and they are located at 1630 E. Paisano. Their website is www.epcom.net. Sometimes you can find some good deals on the "Clearance" page.