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. _______________________________________________ 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