[1000mp] cost of improved IMD performance

[Jeffrey Pawlan]

Dear Tod,

  I was not proposing nor addressing the cost of producing a "Rev" change/mod to
the existing product. I am of the opinion that the ARRL should do as others have
suggested and state to the manufacturers in clear and harsh tones that FUTURE
radios should be designed from the first application of pencil to paper with
better performance as a requirement. I stated previously that I believe the
ARRL is our voice and lobbying agent and has the responsibility to say that the
downturn in performance (along with generally higher prices) is not acceptable
and the product being reviewed will not be recommended.

  The comment regarding the larger output transistors is completely in line with
my thinking and is a miniscule portion of the $2500 price tag. The manufacturer
could make slightly less profit per radio sold without increasing the retail
price, but the improved radio would then be deemed "acceptable" by the ARRL lab
and more units would be purchased as a result. Another engineering improvement
that was tangentally mentioned was running the finals and perhaps the drivers at
a higher voltage. The cost of DC-DC converters is extremely low and the radio
could still operate from a 13v supply or battery.

73,

Jeffrey Pawlan, WA6KBL