"If I couldn't do it for zero dollars without bringing any junk home then I would get screamed at. "

My first years of hamming was almost as bad, but I didn't get screamed at for bringing junk home. I did have to really make do with radios that I'd outgrown for longer than I wanted to, though. My saving grace was the Boy Scouts. Mom really, really wanted me to get that "E" award and when it was pretty obvious that it was going to happen the purse strings were loosened and radios became a bribe to get to the next level -- and some of them were very difficult.

I think it started when the radio merit badge counselor OK'ed a modulator as the build project. They actually spring (Gasp!) about $12 for the UTC S-12.