Using your logic, we all would still be using radios the size of suitcases simply because we cut our coax too short and don't want to be bothered mounting them differently. We would all be lugging 12lb laptops because they fit the old carrying case without rattling around, our SSB's would need their own radio room, our cellphones would still be the size of bricks, etc…

I don't subscribe to rant about them "doing this to us" so they can "make more profit at our expense" - I'm very happy things are advancing. In fact, I am continually amazed and tickled in the directions things have gone.

We recently replaced our 16yr old SH radio with a new one. I don't remember if the depth was less (I'm sorry, but I can't sympathize with cutting coax to exactly fit a radio depth), but it slid right into the old cutout with only minimal modification. And it has GPS, DSC and AIS built into it, not to mention far more functionality. Also had to replace the RAM - hook new wire onto old and pull - the mike itself is better and has more functionality. Pretty good IMO.

Mark