I didn't actually make a call but after meeting Elecraft at Hamvention, my reaction was similar. Did not actually meet the top brass but one of their salespeople was able to tell me more about sorting out my antenna situation than many others combined.
73 Fred AC9RQ >>> I just read the Elecraft December Newsletter, so I made a quick phone call. It's still morning over there. Big Radio Company: How may I direct your call? Me: Yes, hello, I'd like to speak to your CTO. BRC: Oh, I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that. Me: How about a co-founder? BRC: No... Me: Why not? I'm about to buy a new radio, and it's down to Elecraft and you guys, and Elecraft says I can go hang out with one of the big wigs and play radio, so I'm calling you to see if you'll match that offer. You know, maybe I can come over and hang out in your ham station -- you do have a station, don't you?-- and your big wig can come out and have a soda with me, and we can trade stories and shoot the breeze and then call CQ on 20. Yeah? BRC: No, sir, I'm sorry. <lowering her voice> To tell you the truth... we don't even *know* who the CTO is. Me:? Excuse me? BRC: We see important-looking people pass by all the time, but we don't actually know which one is the CTO. We're a big conglomerate now. Me: Well, maybe you can find someone under him, like the VP of engineering. I'd like to meet him. Or her. BRC: Oh, no. That's not possible. <lowering her voice again>. You see, he doesn't actually design any of our products. He has a team working under him, and they do all the work. <pausing> He does select the knobs that go on the radios, though. Me: The chief knob-picker, eh? Gee, I was hoping for someone who knows how to match impedance, or optimize a sigmoid response. Got any amplifier experts? BRC: Not really. Me: AGC gurus? BRC: Not that I know of. Me: Anybody who solders? BRC: Oh, yes! You could have lunch with Maria. She's our absolute best solderer. Me: Can she dig a signal out of the noise? Does she like hiking? BRC: <silence> Me: Never mind. You know, I'm glad I called you. I think my mind is made up. Good-bye and thank you! BRC: Good day, sir, and thank you for calling. Al? W6LX <<< ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
