[Elecraft] Elecraft technology

Thu Sep 4 12:29:01 2003

This is a very interesting question.  I will give my 2 cents....

I think the uniqueness of Elecraft is that they brought back the kit and building with a product that stands the test of some critical customers.  But, one sentence cannot answer the question.

The parameters set forth before designing/prototyping/testing/field testing the products were well thought out.  This is an understatement  Elecraft had a vision that was unique and realized a market.  Well, unique might not be the right word, but they saw that there was a market.  Heath is gone and not one had really done kits in a big way since the 70s.  I am sure it has been far greater than what they expected.

Planning of ad on features.  SSB, NB, 160, etc.  This had to be planned in advance.  Elegant forward thinking.

The circuitry design is elegant in its simplicity but simplicity should not be misconstrued as being inferior.

The physical design is elegant as well.  The whole radio comes in a flat box in the mail and as you build, it becomes a real radio.  I remember getting the box in the mail and wondering if there was another box coming or I got cheated.  When I inventoried the box I was duly impressed.

Software design is just as elegant, but as in any software it has its quirks.  But coupling the software to the hardware is so elegant.  The low current consumption, etc...

Speed of development.  Although the end users may not think that Elecraft is speeding, but look at how many products they are offering at this point.

Customer Support is incredibly important as well and has strengthen the company.  You can talk to the designers.  Parts can be obtained for nominal amounts and sometimes they send it for free.  Goodwill is part and parcel of the elegance of Elecraft.

The owners developed a strong user base quickly and that user base have become the marketers, technicians, troubleshooters for the company.  In some cases these people have turned into designers as well.  Many owners have done some incredible things with the products and suggestions have been made to Elecraft and they have incorporated the suggestions.

Modifications are allowed without detriment to the user.  In otherwords, no gurantees are violated even if you have messed with the radio.  Elegant.

Free information of manuals, specifics, etc.  The Reflector

Elecraft is aptly named...it is an elegant product, elegantly designed, elegantly marketed, elegantly support, and elegantly managed.

Just my opinion, other opinions are alway welcomed.

Lee - K0WA

Sverre Holm <[email protected]> wrote:
I am trying to figure out what it is which is so unique about the
Elecraft products, apart from the pride of ownership that comes with
something one has assembled oneself. I guess I am trying to get to the
roots of the mojo.

Is there something in the circuitry of the K1 and K2 which is based on
recent technology? Could they have been made say ten years earlier? What
about
- toroids
- pic processors
- crystal filters
- IC's
- LCD displays 
- ....
where they all available in 1988?

One thing that comes to mind is the fact that the internet exists now,
and I remember seeing the building of an internet community as part of
the Elecraft business plan. Maybe the internet has made kit-building
into something completely different from what it used to be?

Your comments are invited!

--
73, 
Sverre

------------------
Sverre Holm, LA3ZA
www.qsl.net/la3za

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