I get the occassional comment that the pcb's are very expensive
so I have completed some research on pcb prices versus a reasonable
benchmark of the magazine and wages over the last 30+ years.

             Magazine                :     68T5     68P1    68O9

1968         $ o.30                  :   $ 2.50   $ 2.70  $ 5.60  

1978         $ 1.25  416% increase   :   $ 7.10   $ 7.60  $15.30
                on previous values

1988         $ 3.50  280% increase   :   $ 9.80   $10.40  $21.10
                on previous values

2003         $ 6.60  188% increase   :   $14.30   $15.40  $33.00
                on previous values
                   

so mag prices from 1968 to 2003 have risen 2220%  or (22.00 times)

and 68T5  pcb from 1968 to 2003 has  risen  572%  or ( 5.72 times)
and 68P1  pcb from 1968 to 2003 has  risen  573%  or ( 5.73 times)
and 68O9  pcb from 1968 to 2003 has  risen  589%  or ( 5.89 times)

so on average, pcb's have risen by about .. 578%  or ( 5.78 times)

The formula for making boards over the years, has NOT changed, 
length x width x holes, then the material factor (s/s d/s etc)

Material has risen about 10x times and Drills about 7x times,
Labour has increased from $60.oopw to $480.oo+ an increase of 8x
Govt. charges have blown out through the roof Land Tax of 1300%.
in ONE YEAR alone, ie the NSW state govt. is BROKE, fact !!!

Maybe Pauline Hanson can run it better, she cannot be worse.
Workers comp, Insurance and misc increases by around 1500% + so...

If you were to go to the big production houses like, Morris Production, 
Artronics, Precision Circuits etc. and ask for a 1 of, you would need
and ambulance to take you home in shock, plus a blood sugar enhancement.

so before you say, "crikey they are too expensive", look at reality,
we have to purchase electricity, rates, wages etc. in todays money.

So in result, please no silly comments about expensive circuit boards or
you will not even have your email answered, one does not pander to a fool


Bob Barnes

RCS Design/Radio
Dec 31 2003