Thanks, Bill.... When you get down to the component level.... or even the
board level.... I'm sure much has to sourced offshore. Even if we could
afford what Elecraft would have to pay for onshore labor costs to build
those boards, I doubt that the skills are adequately available here anymore.
So of course I meant the the final assembly of the "factory assembled" K3
units. I'm glad to hear it's all done in California. (And as kits, in home
workshops around the globe)
I don't think it's a "language barrier" that keeps the Big 3 from taking an
accurate pulse of the amateur community... at least not in this country.
Nowadays they each have plenty of English speakers in their management. But
do they have real hams doing their design work? Do they have real hams
getting real-time feedback from the users? Probably not so much. As you
point out, that is what makes Elecraft really special.... we knows 'em, and
they is us.
73, Jerry K3BZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Tippett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Jerry Keller (K3BZ)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Another one on order
Hi Jerry,
On Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 7:42 AM, Jerry Keller (K3BZ) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Bill... not that it makes any real difference to the point you were
making.... but it's David and Goliath.
Yes, too early and I corrected that...was thinking of David KY1V.
Anyway, I have a K3 on order for all
the reasons you gave and at least one more.... I've been under the
impression that Elecraft's products are "made in the USA". But some
comments here on the reflector have made me wonder how true that is...
do
you happen to know?
Since most Elecraft products are kits, they are actually "made"
everywhere (by the kit builder). If you mean the components inside
them, I'm sure they're sourced from many places. It would be very
difficult to find parts if you stipulated that all must come from the
USA. I've been on the list since I built a K2 about 4 years ago but
haven't noticed many comments about this...maybe I just wasn't paying
attention. I'm fairly sure Elecraft does all final test and assembly
of the K3 in Aptos, outsources SMD board-stuffing (not sure to whom)
and the components come from everywhere. What matters most to me is
where the products are designed (i.e. the real value-added in today's
world).
I believe the 3 American companies (Elecraft, Flex and Ten-Tec) have
the business model of the future (which may apply to many other areas
besides ham radio):
1. Distribute directly instead of via distributors...thereby saving
significant costs (somewhat like Dell did with PCs).
2. Make heavy use of the Internet as a tool for customer feedback,
firmware updates, building customer loyalty, etc.
3. Listen to customers intently and respond promptly (this is the
real key to success IMHO).
4. Enable other companies to facilitate your own success. N8LP's
LP-PAN and VE3NEA's CW Skimmer are going to have a **huge** impact on
the success of the K3. I truly doubt that the Big-3 have the
slightest comprehension of the impact this may have in strengthening
the K3's success in the marketplace.
It's a very simple but powerful model that the Big-3 have yet to
figure out...probably influenced by their language barrier. By the
time they figure it out, the world may have vastly changed on them.
73, Bill W4ZV
P.S. Copying to the list since others might have comments.
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