ARRL to introduce $5 radio kits...

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has announced it hopes to introduce a number of low cost kits in an effort to spark some interest in amateur radio.

ARRL is developing low-cost (target $5.00), build-it-inan-hour receiver and transmitter kits. We intend to make these available at nominal cost to members and radio clubs who want to have a different “soldering experience” at their next hamfest. 

In a world of smartphones and social media, the thought of talking to someone in another country over a radio is no longer the novelty that it once was.

Building kits and actually getting something to work may well appeal to a lot of people and they get to learn something in the process.

Considering the size of the ARRL, it's likely that these kits may well prove to be very popular and widely available in time. At a $5 price point, they are likely to be very basic but at least it's a start.

Source... http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/February2020/February%20%20Editorial.pdf