Wood:

My club has had several radios, airplanes, and so forth donated.

However, instead of training we use them as "Door" prizes at contests/fun fly's, and other raffles.

It is possible that our club size, approx 200 members, makes the manufacturers more inclined to donate than they would be if we were only 20 or 30 people.

And a suggestion. Ask your LHS operator to inquire for you. And support him in his business. Remember "I'll scratch your back..."

Tony Stillman, the owner/operator of Radio South, has been very helpful to us in this way.

And here is the URL for my club.
www.nfmi.org
Check it out. I love seeing envious people. Seven fields, five with paved runways, and the sixth is getting a 50'x300' paved runway now. The seventh? That's for the glider boys and they don't want it paved.

Do it nicely, say "Sir, please donate?"
. How 'bout that? There it is on your plate.

Bill.