Is all this for real?

An email hit our inbox this morning.

“Honestly I might be getting a bit cynical (IC-7610 give away) because I doubt anyone ever wins these giveaway things. I entered via an ad on QRZ yesterday where I was required to subscribe to your newsletter to go in a draw to “possibly” win a 7610.

Yeah righto.”

I do agree. It is not common to find a ham radio retail business giving stuff away. The market is small, profit margins are thin, overheads ever-increasing. And yes, being a bit sceptical about big promises is healthy. Nothing wrong with that.

Here are the facts: DXing is still a very young business. We are about to celebrate our first anniversary on August 29. At this stage of infancy, our goal is to simply spread the word – to make you, and your fellow amateur friends, aware that DXing exists and is here to serve you. Giving away radios is pricey but an efficient way to gain new subscribers.  

So far, we have given away one IC-9700, valued at $2,900, as a ‘thank you for joining our newsletter’ trade promotion. The winner was VK3ART – Russ Turner. The draw was conducted and supervised by a professional accountant – we play fair and square.

This year, we are giving away not one, but two IC-7610 valued at $6,300 each. For a chance to win the fist one: same as last year – subscribe to our newsletter. This offer is valid to new Australian subscribers only, those who are going to join us in 2024. The chance of winning the second IC-7610: buy any ICOM transceiver and you are automatically in the draw. This promotion is to reward our ICOM customers. Draw: December 16, 2024.

On top of that, the three highest placed winners of the ‘DXer of the Year’ competition will also receive valuable prizes: First place – IC-7300, Second place – IC-2730A, and for Third place – IC-41PRO. This is simply our way of saying ‘thanks for keeping VK DX chasing alive’.

And as of last week, we offer yet another ‘win it’ promotion: the chance to win an ID-52A. Again, this promotion is specifically targeting our overseas subscribers. Our ambition is to grow the international readership – because some of the radios and amplifiers we stock are priced extremely competitively, so we are happy to ship overseas and serve them as well. Draw: Monday, September 30.

The bottom line is this: while DXing as been around for just a year, I have personally  been in business for decades. My personal and professional reputation is my most important asset. I would never make false promises with the intention to deceive you, or anyone else. To do so, would be such an embarrassment and a legendary fail – it simply won’t happen.

If you are still unconvinced: pick up the phone and call me on 02 9232 0500 or even better – come to say hello at our Sydney office.

In the mean time – invite your friends to join us – to subscribe, go to http://eepurl.com/iyHFv2
They too, may win a valuable prize.