Gary, VK4FD has some valid points about Heath's re-entry into the ham market. Heath is fondly remembered by us older hams that bought and built their kits, but also there is lingering disappointment when they quit the ham business. (Alaska has a former governor with this problem?)
One thing that I think has been stated well is a successful ham equipment manufacturer needs active hams on their engineering and marketing staff. No one connects like an enthusiast can. I think the early years at Heath had a few hams on board. Heath started with selling electronic test equipment kits made up from the ample WWII and Korean War surplus that was available making their costs, low. That has changed. Their kits were often simple basic items which now they will compete with cheap offshore sources. It will remain to be seen if they have the vision and talent to get back into the ham trade. They have name recognition and that helps. I wonder if they may come out with partial pre-assembled SMT boards with mostly mechanical assembly as the K3 has? It is a different market from when they were last in it. I see the kit market belonging to the niche group of high-tech or non-conventional ham pursuits like QRP, digital, satellite, eme, mw, etc. A lot of the hams in these pursuits are pretty smart cookies and capable builders. They are not interested in building basic stuff. They are looking for kits that enable them to obtain the unobtainable. SDR's, high-power sspa's, special modes... Mostly parts sourced from high-tech surplus (if you can find it). K2 (kit)=unique! K3 unsurpassed! XG3=cleaver and so useful! Elecraft has earned its reputation. Heath will have to re-earn their's! 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [email protected] ====================================== ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
