[Elecraft] QC

[George, W5YR]

Jim, I was an old-timer already at Texas Instruments back in the early 80's
when all the emphasis began on "Quality" and "Quality Control." We took
courses and received lots of "guidance" as to the importance of QC to the
future of our company (and our jobs).

One thing that always stuck with me from all that, and I believe that it is
at the core of QC, is that Quality must be designed into a product. It
cannot be manufactured in, tested in, repaired in, customer-supported in,
or whatever. If the design is proper and adequate, then normal attention to
the rest of the process will almost always ensure "a quality product."

In the Elecraft case, it has become clear that the design work (circuitry,
PCB layout, cabinetry, etc.) has all been done extremely well and "right."
And the more mundane part of the job - packaging the kits, kitting the
parts, subbing out the metal work, etc. - is being done "right" as the
stream of satisfied builders continues to grow.

So, I guess that my point is that the quality we perceive in our Elecraft
products is partly the result of our construction efforts, of course, but
mainly it is a reflection of the skill, knowledge, and dedication of the
designers. Without their jobs having been done "right" we builders would
have a tough time turning out successful products. I am sure that some of
us have been in the position of building some kits that were so ineptly
designed, kitted and marketed as to be almost a joke. I won't mention any
names, but a couple come readily to mind . . .

Fortunately, Electraft got it "right" starting at the beginning - where it
really matters.

73/72/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas         
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe   
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771 I-LINK 11735
Icom IC-756PRO #02121  Kachina 505 DSP  #91900556  Icom IC-765 #02437


Jim and Kate wrote:
> 
> Hi All:
> 
> One of the topics that seldom, if ever, appears on this reflector is the
> issue of quality control. Every manufacturer must address this issue as
> pretty central to the value of their product. What about QC at Elecraft?
> Well, we're it. The way the builders build their kits represents,
> collectively, quality control.  K2 is almost 2 years old, and aside from
> upgrading the firmware, it has never had a hiccough of trouble. I wonder
> if my experience of reliability is reflected in our little electronic
> community.