RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Another poster brought up Elecraft and original Volkswagen beetle cars. I can remember when people grumbled a lot but patiently waited more than six months for a Volkswagen beetle, back in the 1950's, and it didn't even have a gas gage! They, too, were eagerly ramping up production as fast as they could but, like Elecraft, refused to compromise quality in the process. The result was one of the most successful automobile companies in history. They're a good example to follow. As long as you forget about Ralph Nader. :) - Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392 G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Elecraft--Honchos%21%21%21-tp17352006p17357731.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
Ron - The Beetle definitely had a cult following, which is reminicient of a certain radio company I know. ;-) My Dad bought a new, 1960 Beetle. He sold after a short period of time due to: 1) Unresolved carburetor icing in cold weather would render it immobile, until the heat of the engine would melt the ice, allowing it to run again (until it then again iced up). This was a common problem, and was addressed by VW in a subsequent model year. 2) One of the valves burned. Apparently this was another common problem, due to lack of proper cooling. Other serioius design issues with the Beetle include the location of the fuel tank (essentially, in your lap - not a great place in the event of an accident), the lack of proper heating and defrost capabilities, and the aerodynamics, which caused the front end to lift. Of course, one should not forget that the Beetle was championed by none other than Adolph Hitler, so, to a certain extent, it would not have existed but for his support. Not a great thing to have on your resume. ;-) So, bottom line, just like it's kind of silly to worship a car, or car company (sorry, Porsche-o-philes), it's also silly to worship a radio, or a radio company. 73, Steve NN4X They, too, were eagerly ramping up production as fast as they could but, like Elecraft, refused to compromise quality in the process. The result was one of the most successful automobile companies in history. They're a good example to follow. Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
Don't get upset about how long you are going to have to wait. You will be delighted when it arrives. the wait is well worth it Its a great rig 73's Rod G3YHM JIM DAVIS-11 wrote: I'm very interested in purchasing one of your NEW K3s but what I have a hard time understanding is about the production lag-time (4mo. now?) If you guys KNOW that you've got a winner then WHY NOT RAMP UP PRODUCTION now instead of having everybody wait??? Also, if the staff that you have that visits the various Ham-Conventions and take MORE orders then are'nt you guys compounding the work-order process even MORE??? Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a businessman!!! Until you have your production equalized more orders slow up production if you're not GEARED-UP TO HANDLE THEM!!! 73, Jim/nn6ee ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Elecraft--Honchos%21%21%21-tp17352006p17364173.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
On Tue, 20 May 2008 22:23:25 -0700, you wrote: Another poster brought up Elecraft and original Volkswagen beetle cars. I can remember when people grumbled a lot but patiently waited more than six months for a Volkswagen beetle, back in the 1950's, and it didn't even have a gas gage! They, too, were eagerly ramping up production as fast as they could but, like Elecraft, refused to compromise quality in the process. The result was one of the most successful automobile companies in history. They're a good example to follow. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- On Tue, 20 May 2008 15:06:31 -0700, Jim/nn6ee wrote: Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a Yeah, that's right... most of us took a crash course in CW, learning it overnight. Then worked all band DXCC the next day. And we expect the solar flux to be at 300 in another week here or so. So where's our K3's? We didn't become ham radio operators becuase we like to wait around for stuff. No sir. Reminds me of the very annoying Mitsubishi automobile advertisement of the late 80s where the guy doing the commercial is screaming, GET WHAT YOU WANT, AND GET IT NOW!. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety An excerpt from a letter written in 1755 from the Assembly to the Governor of Pennsylvania. Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like. http://www.n5ge.com http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
-Original Message- I'm very interested in purchasing one of your NEW K3s but what I have a hard time understanding is about the production lag-time (4mo. now?) If you guys KNOW that you've got a winner then WHY NOT RAMP UP PRODUCTION now instead of having everybody wait??? Also, if the staff that you have that visits the various Ham-Conventions and take MORE orders then are'nt you guys compounding the work-order process even MORE??? Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a businessman!!! Until you have your production equalized more orders slow up production if you're not GEARED-UP TO HANDLE THEM!!! 73, Jim/nn6ee -- I do NOT want Elecraft to gear up in an open loop fashion. Elecraft is a great company specifically because they are small. If they balloon in size too quickly or too much, they'd likely turn into a US version of Ikensu and we'd be getting junk from a big non-responsive company. The K3 is a package deal. It comes with a DSP, nice display, great QSK, top-notch receiver, small form-factor, no internal PS, no 200 watt PA and a long, unpredictable wait time. That is just the way it is. We've established that many months ago and all the wishing for it to be different is for naught. Either you take it as a package or not. I sure hope Elecraft continues to keep quality, performance, price and support as priorities over delivery schedule because those are the features that I really want in my new rig. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!! [END of thread]
Guys, let's end this thread too. Its taking a tremendous amount of reflector bandwidth and is not going to make any impact on our production rate. See my prior post for more details on our ramp up efforts etc. 73, Eric WA6HHQ _..._ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
Folks, I am sure we all wish that supply at Elecraft was conveniently equal to demand. Order a K3 today, and have it by the end of the week or so. Clearly that isn't the case. I don't profess to know just how sophisticated Elecraft's market analysis is, but I'm relatively sure they aren't doing any exotic market surveys either. They are a small company with a big product! Also, I have no idea how they are evaluating just how much they can/will ramp up production. Doing so is expensive for one thing. It also adds greater complexity to the organization, particularly if that includes adding staff. I'm reasonably sure they don't want to increase staff only to reduce staff later. Some of that may be necessary, but it gets very sticky making those kinds of moves. Training new employees to get them up to an acceptable level of productivity, and then dropping them later, really hammers the bottom line. Personally, I would have expected the wait time to have decreased more than it has. But it hasn't gone down as much as I thought it would, and that suggests to me that K3 demand remains relatively strong--even 1 year later. I can only assume that it has surprised Wayne and Eric a bit too. Although all of us can fuss and complain about the wait time, it's really their product, and they are presumably doing what they think is right. Whether they are dealing with it correctly or not, it's their decision, not ours. So we just need to grin and bear it. That doesn't mean that allowing the wheel to squeek a bit won't encourage some positive response from them, but generally I think there will only be limited success in doing so. I think the best thing to do is to try and view all of this positively. By proceeding on a conservative path, Elecraft is hopefully minimizing screw-ups, not to mention protecting the company's viability. The longer they can sustain strong demand, the longer you have assurance that they will be around to help you keep their products running. Dealing with smaller companies can be somewhat risky. If they run out of demand, or ideas, or both, they tend to disappear. You don't have to think very long to come up with a bunch of names of companies like this who met an abrupt demise. If you don't like that suggestion, consider this one. I think the strong demand for the K3 would have easily enabled Elecraft to raise prices even more than they did. That would have probably have helped lower demand closer to supply, and they could later offer some blue light specials to prop up demand when it started waning. But they didn't do that--yet! So, even though I'm a bit frustrated about some things just like most of you are, I think I'll keep my complaints muzzled a bit. Besides, few if any of us have all the facts anyway. We have no idea what all the issues are that Elecraft is dealing with. We are all just a bunch of sidewalk superintendents, and what we think should be simple may well be just the opposite. In truth, I think a lot of our frustration is enhanced by the knowledge that the K3 is a great product with superior product support. We want it! Now! We don't want to go for the closest alternative. We just don't like dilemmas. Dave W7AQK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
It sounds like the natives are getting restless again. John[K7SVV] - Original Message - From: JIM DAVIS [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:06 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!! I'm very interested in purchasing one of your NEW K3s but what I have a hard time understanding is about the production lag-time (4mo. now?) If you guys KNOW that you've got a winner then WHY NOT RAMP UP PRODUCTION now instead of having everybody wait??? Also, if the staff that you have that visits the various Ham-Conventions and take MORE orders then are'nt you guys compounding the work-order process even MORE??? Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a businessman!!! Until you have your production equalized more orders slow up production if you're not GEARED-UP TO HANDLE THEM!!! 73, Jim/nn6ee ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.23.21/1456 - Release Date: 5/20/2008 6:45 AM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!! (In reference to your comment SIR!!!)
On Wed, 21 May 2008 14:44:30 -0700 John K7SVV [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It sounds like the natives are getting restless again. John[K7SVV] - Original Message - From: JIM DAVIS [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:06 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!! I'm very interested in purchasing one of your NEW K3s but what I have a hard time understanding is about the production lag-time (4mo. now?) If you guys KNOW that you've got a winner then WHY NOT RAMP UP PRODUCTION now instead of having everybody wait??? Also, if the staff that you have that visits the various Ham-Conventions and take MORE orders then are'nt you guys compounding the work-order process even MORE??? Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a businessman!!! Until you have your production equalized more orders slow up production if you're not GEARED-UP TO HANDLE THEM!!! ** Your comment has no basis in fact in that I'm not alone by virtue of the MANY comments in agreement with my EARLIER POSTING!!! So it would be great if you could follow the conversation line! I and you can SPEND OUR MONEY ANYWHERE WE WANT! We'll see how the Elecraft Boyz handle their present dilemma!!! Jim/nn6ee ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
At 1806 EDT on Tue 20 May 2008 Jim Davis (NN6EE) wrote ... ... This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that ... -- Hi Jim, Yes, Elecraft could raise the price of the K3, and/or lower its quality, and be shipping K3s by the boat load. However, other companies already control that niche and Elecraft chooses not to compete with them. 73, Gary KI4GGX (not an Elecraft honcho) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
Jim/nn6ee - Notwithstanding your interesting USE of CAPITALIZATION not to mention !! I'm sure they'll appreciate your insights regarding RAMPING UP PRODUCTION!!! Honestly, I'm feeling exceptionally DUMB that I never thought of that myself, especially after waiting eight months for mine. I think that your SUGGESTION is THE first time it's BEEN aired on this reflector!!! IMAGINE About SIX thousand list subscribers (at least that's what Eric told me), and NOBODY ever suggested THAT!!! UNTIL you! Seriously! NOT. Also, pet-peeve time: it's Ham radio, or perhaps Ham Radio, but never Ham-Radio. Regards, Steve/nn4x EL98jh On Tue, May 20, 2008 at 6:06 PM, JIM DAVIS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm very interested in purchasing one of your NEW K3s but what I have a hard time understanding is about the production lag-time (4mo. now?) If you guys KNOW that you've got a winner then WHY NOT RAMP UP PRODUCTION now instead of having everybody wait??? Also, if the staff that you have that visits the various Ham-Conventions and take MORE orders then are'nt you guys compounding the work-order process even MORE??? Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a businessman!!! Until you have your production equalized more orders slow up production if you're not GEARED-UP TO HANDLE THEM!!! 73, Jim/nn6ee ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
You must have missed the post this afternoon from Eric with the subject 'Lead Time': We are continually ramping up our production rate on a weekly basis. We are definitely producing now at a sustained rate higher than we were 3-4 months ago, and our plans in place are for this to increase another 50-75% over the summer. Elecraft is (well ... was) a small company producing kits. How long did it take to get to 1000 K2s? It looks they'll reach the 1000 K3 mark soon. Mark AD5SS On Tue, May 20, 2008 at 5:06 PM, JIM DAVIS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm very interested in purchasing one of your NEW K3s but what I have a hard time understanding is about the production lag-time (4mo. now?) If you guys KNOW that you've got a winner then WHY NOT RAMP UP PRODUCTION now instead of having everybody wait??? Also, if the staff that you have that visits the various Ham-Conventions and take MORE orders then are'nt you guys compounding the work-order process even MORE??? Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a businessman!!! Until you have your production equalized more orders slow up production if you're not GEARED-UP TO HANDLE THEM!!! 73, Jim/nn6ee ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
On Tue, 20 May 2008 15:06:31 -0700, Jim/nn6ee wrote: Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a Yeah, that's right... most of us took a crash course in CW, learning it overnight. Then worked all band DXCC the next day. And we expect the solar flux to be at 300 in another week here or so. So where's our K3's? We didn't become ham radio operators becuase we like to wait around for stuff. No sir. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
Another poster brought up Elecraft and original Volkswagen beetle cars. I can remember when people grumbled a lot but patiently waited more than six months for a Volkswagen beetle, back in the 1950's, and it didn't even have a gas gage! They, too, were eagerly ramping up production as fast as they could but, like Elecraft, refused to compromise quality in the process. The result was one of the most successful automobile companies in history. They're a good example to follow. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- On Tue, 20 May 2008 15:06:31 -0700, Jim/nn6ee wrote: Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a Yeah, that's right... most of us took a crash course in CW, learning it overnight. Then worked all band DXCC the next day. And we expect the solar flux to be at 300 in another week here or so. So where's our K3's? We didn't become ham radio operators becuase we like to wait around for stuff. No sir. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
