On the contrary, I think the decision to offer "standard configuration
packages" is a result of customer questions resulting from confusion
about "what options do I need" and much time devoted to pre-sale
communication with prospective customers.
Other manufacturers offer an "all or nothing" package that is their
current model/configuration.
I have witnessed the confusion of many prospective buyers at the
Elecraft booth at many hamfests - there is a lot of confusion about
which options they should include. We endeavor to provide assistance to
customize the option mix to the wants and needs of the customer.
These "standard" packages is a way to allow customers to purchase a K3S
for the type of operating that they will be doing while minimizing that
pre-sale activity.
One can still order additional options even with the pre-defined
packages (and I assume also delete some options). But for the customer
who is not familiar with what each Elecraft option will do for their
operating experience, I believe it is a step in the right direction.
If Elecraft were to follow other manufacturer's footsteps, there would
be a K3S-I, K3S-II and K3S-III designation for each of those bundles,
but note that Elecraft has chosen not to do that. You do not have to
sell your K3S-I to get a K3S-III, just add the options needed to upgrade
it.
That "upgradability" has always been unique at Elecraft. Any K2 can be
upgraded to the electrical equal of a new one, the same goes for the K3
with the addition of the modules included in the K3S (with only a few
minor exceptions).
This is part of the Elecraft customer support philosophy. Note that the
K2 is a 1998 design and is still going strong, and still fully supported.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 7/29/2017 11:17 AM, WILLIE BABER wrote:
I imagine that many persons wanting K3/K3s have one, and so sales may not be as
robust as a result. The many improvements over time have created a mature
radio--and all essential improvements can be made to an early K3 (same with the
K2). I appreciate Elecraft for this approach to building radios. However,
this does mean that many of us are using aging K3s that work just as well as
the new K3s. I have two K3 radios (so2r), one is about nine years older than
the other one but they are both essentially the same.
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