Sell or Trade Your Ham Radio Equipment

Main Trading Company (MTC Radio) has been buying and trading ham radio equipment for over 17 years out of Paris, Texas — and we ship and buy nationwide. We’re one of the only retailers in the United States with an active trade-in program for amateur radio gear, and we’ve handled everything from single handhelds to complete shack estates. We trade for other stuff too! We have traded for cars, boats, trailers, silver, gold, coins, hot wheels collections and just about everything that you can think of

If you’ve got equipment sitting on the shelf, an upgrade on your mind, or a shack full of gear you’re ready to move on from, we want to hear from you.

What We Buy and Trade

We buy and accept trade-ins on virtually all amateur radio equipment, including:

·         HF Transceivers — Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft, FlexRadio, Ten-Tec, and others

·         HF Amplifiers — tube and solid-state, including vintage and discontinued models

·         VHF/UHF Transceivers and Repeaters

·         Handheld Transceivers (HTs)

·         Antennas — HF wire antennas, verticals, beams, and mobile antennas

·         Antenna Tuners and Analyzers

·         Power Supplies

·         Test Equipment — SWR meters, oscilloscopes, signal generators

·         CW Keys and Paddles

·         Headsets and Microphones

·         Rotators and Controllers

·         Complete Shack Estates — we’ll make an offer on everything at once

If you’re not sure whether we’d want it, ask. We’ve taken in gear that surprised us in both directions. It’s always worth a quick email or call. There are a few things that we cant trade for. We can not trade for Livestock or things that eat. We do not trade for fire arms. We do not trade for radios that were meant for another market (Radios that were bought from ebay that came from Japan and do not work properly in the USA)

How the Trade-In Process Works

Getting a trade-in value from us is straightforward:

Step 1 — Fill out the form below Tell us what you have: make, model, condition, and any accessories included. Photos help, especially for gear with cosmetic issues.

Step 2 — We get back to you within 24–48 hours We’ll give you a trade-in value by email or phone. 

Step 3 — Ship it or bring it in If you accept our offer, ship the gear to our Paris, Texas address or bring it in-store. 

Step 4 — Apply credit toward your next purchase Your trade-in value applies directly toward anything in our inventory — new gear, used gear, or an SPE Expert amplifier. Or, if you prefer, we’ll pay you cash for the equipment outright.

Why Trade In at MTC Radio?

We’re one of the very few national retailers doing this. Most ham radio dealers don’t take trade-ins. That means most operators end up listing gear on QRZ, eHam, or eBay and waiting — dealing with shipping, PayPal disputes, and hagglers. We eliminate all of that.

You deal with people who actually use this equipment.  We know what gear is worth, what the market is doing, and we’ll give you a straight answer on value.

Trade credit stretches further than cash on eBay. When you factor in eBay fees (13% or more), PayPal fees, shipping materials, and your time, a private sale often nets you less than a direct trade-in. We’re competitive with what you’d net after fees — and you skip the hassle. Another thing to consider if you qare trading: sales tax.In most states that we charge tax in you are charged tax on the trade difference not the full amount

Apply your credit toward high-value gear. Trade-in credit applies toward anything, but a lot of customers use it toward an SPE Expert amplifier upgrade. It’s a good time to make the move when you’re already in an upgrade mindset.

Many years of buying and selling. We’ve seen it all. We know what vintage gear is worth, what’s in demand, and what’s hard to move. You’ll get an honest assessment, not a low-ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade in equipment I didn’t buy from MTC Radio? Yes. We buy and trade equipment from any source — regardless of where you originally purchased it.

Do you buy non-working or damaged equipment? Sometimes, depending on the model and the issue. Describe the condition when you contact us and we’ll let you know if we can work with it.

What if I just want to sell — not trade? No problem. We can buy equipment outright. Just let us know your preference when you contact us.

Do you buy complete shack estates? Yes. If you’re handling a loved one’s estate or liquidating a full shack, we’ll make a single offer for the lot. This is one of the things we’re specifically set up to handle. Email or call with a description and we’ll work with you.

Can I ship gear to you from out of state? Yes. We work with customers across the country. We’ll give you shipping instructions after we’ve agreed on a value. 

How long does the process take? From first contact to payment, most trades close within a week. We respond to inquiries within 24–48 hours.

Ready to Get Started?

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