Well said, Doug. Elecraft's accessible staff, volunteer support circle (this
reflector), commitment to continuing engineering, aggressive use of field
test, open beta test environment and modular architecture are the classic
"unfair competitive advantage" that companies seek.
It looks from the photo in QST like Yaesu may have gone with an external
panadapter! That surprises me - dropping a true advantage in favor of
imitation. I still look forward to a K4 with a built-in band display, maybe
some day.
But the newly announced Yaesu rig does beat Elecraft on one count - the sexy
name! I mean, how can one resist a rig called FTDX-5000MP? Note the subtle
use of multiple font sizes, the historical resonance, the large number
implying superiority and the revered call sign of their founder. I can't
wait for the "Field" version or maybe the Field and Stream version as N0AX
once quipped. I think Elecraft's obsession with simplicity is evident in the
name of our favorite radio, just plain K3. You want plain and simple high
performance? Go Elecraft. You want complexity commensurate with price and
weight? Go on. ;-)
/Rick N6XI
On 11/23/09, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:
>
> 1. competition is good...spurs all parties on to improve (and the
> consumers win)
>
> 2. couldn't one say that Elecraft "copied" the Orion? So what?
> Good designs are always embraced and (hopefully) improved upon. did
> the americans "copy" radar from the brits? does it matter?
>
> 3. no other manufacturer can mimic Eric, Wayne, Lyle, etc. Just
> think back to the FT-Key-Klix issue (never resolved by Yaesu). I
> really LOVE that these guys are completely interactive AND RESPONSIVE
> with their customers on a daily basis (that's us). If another
> manufacturer wants to "copy" Elecraft, they better copy that first!
>
> 4. I want a radio for what's on the inside; some want it for what's
> on the outside (how big are the fins on your cadillac? does the style
> look "aggressive?"). when (if) there is a quantum leap in
> performance, I'll think about changing. I'm not moving just for a db
> or two (in either direction) and never for cosmetics.
>
> 5. let's see how this radio will actually end up, when it is in
> production (in 2011?).
>
> Excitement about a new product is always fun.
>
> de Doug KR2Q
> __
> 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
>
--
--
Rick Tavan N6XI
__
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
