[Collins] Question about Collins and Eldico Clones

[Freeberg, Scott (STP)]

Thats what I've heard also, that Don Merten bristled when the Eldico twins were called 'clones'.  Clones do imply something less than honorable in these discussions, so I can see why that would be a continued irritant to Don.  My read on it, and this is after filtering 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hand information :), is that Eldico started out with the S-line documentation and design, and then came up with their version which met the GSA requirements and specifications for function and performance but at a much much lower cost.  When you think about it, that could have been their big break into the ham market, a rig with the same specifications as Collins but at an affordable price.  So thats why its both so similar and yet different enough not to be a clone.  When I think of clone, a clone is a copy and I don't think the Eldico is a copy.  Thats my read on it anyway.  

In the 'what if' department, what if Eldico did a KWM-2 clone or variation.....I think that would have been very interesting.

Thanks for that additional info on the number of S-119's made and that some quantify was directly sold to the ham market.  I suppose most of the ones that are out there were from the MARS contract.

I didn't know that the Eldico S119 was only sold as a full set.  I would have thought they would have offered individual pieces to the ham market.  But from what you said, the ham market didn't develop due to lawsuits and the affordable Heath look-a-likes :))))))
 
I'd like to find a nice S-119 setup.  If anyone has any leads on an Eldico S-119 setup for sale, I'd appreciate hearing about it.  Thanks.

73, Scott WA9WFA