This discussion has featured a wide range of viewpoints, but I think there are several common threads in almost all the postings:
1. Elecraft has done a great job in the past of identifying and filling "niche" markets with quality products at great prices. 2. There are lots of products on the market that generally fill the need for mid-range and high power HF amps that are easy to integrate with the K3 and other rigs. 3. There are couple of niches in the amplifier arena that aren't currently filled or not filled with a quality product. The "niche" that most posting seem to focus upon is a mid-power (e.g. 500 watts or maybe 800) compact SS amp, ideally with "add on" capability for expanding power output incrementally, auto tuner capability, auto bandswitching, portable, and either full kit or semi-kit. I concur that this represents a potential target of opportunity, if it can be made and sold profitably. I think there are other potential "new product" areas where Elecraft could distinguish itself with a unique product that doesn't have a lot of competition in the market today. These include: 1. A switchable VHF/UHF amplifier, 300 watts output or more, all modes, that would seamlessly integrate with a K3 being used with the full array of Elecraft transverters -- 2 meters, 1.25 meters and 70 cm in one amp, all controllable through the rig itself. (and, of course, flexible enough that non-K3 users could integrate it into their station easily.) I don't know enough about amplifier design to know if ta single amplifier that functions from 50 through 440 mhz is feasible, but I'm not aware of anything like it on the market. 2. a compact VHF-UHF transceiver that would provide the same functionality as the K3, but starting at 50 mHz and going "up the bands" all the way to visible light. (OK, all the way to 1296 mhz). Yaesu offered such a product some years ago, the FT-736. Even though that rig is ancient by today's design standards, a fully tricked-out FT-736 with 50, 144, 222, and 432 mhz modules installed sells easily for $2,000. A 1296 mHz module recently sold on ebay for $750. 222 mhz modules, when occasionally available from SK auctions, have sold for $1K. You want to talk about a niche that offers high margins? This is one, for sure. And it's a natural for the "modularized" design philosophy that makes the K3 so attractive. (Note, of course, that the amplifier described above would be a marriage made in heaven with a "FT736 on steroids." I would sell my car and take public transit to work, if necessary, to obtain such a rig. 3. a kit-form antenna analyzer. High quality at an MFJ price, or less. There are a few "club sponsored" kits floating around, but i haven't seen anything that inspires me to click the "add to shopping cart" button. 4. Computer-based o-scope. Standard o-scope probes on one end, a little black box in the middle, and a USB cable on the other end. Of course, you'd need to provide software as well. I'd STRONGLY urge that it be written in a programming language that can easily be compiled for Mac OS X and Linux as well as Windows. Lew K6LMP ______________________________________________________________ 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
