[Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...]

[EricJ]

Good summary, Bill.

I was going to respond to the poster who said completely homebrew stations
were the norm in the 50's, but I didn't. I was licensed in 1957 and didn't
know anyone who built their own receiver except some of us built a regen
receiver for the fun of it. Some built their own transmitter, but, at least
in my circle (teenagers mostly), all of us bought a kit or bought used for
our main transmitter. Heathkit was the leader, but there was probably a
DOZEN kit manufacturers out there including such ham luminaries as E.F.
Johnson. The difference between factory assembled and kit could be
significant because assembly was so labor intensive in those days. Now look
at the difference between an Elecraft T1 assembled vs. kit.

I'm still not entirely sure who the typical Elecraft customer is; I doubt
there is one. But they aren't buying for economy. I'm not sure there is a
single driving reason. I bought for performance and small package size
despite the disadvantage of being a kit. Others see kits as an advantage.
Overall, ham gear has NEVER been cheaper or more affordable by the average
ham.

Eric
KE6US

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces+eric_csuf=hotmail.com at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces+eric_csuf=hotmail.com at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
Bill Coleman
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 6:28 AM
To: Mike Markowski
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft
takeover...]



Today, most electronics is assembled on a line with robotic equipment.
That's why parts have become so vanishingly small.

We no longer build kits because it is a cheaper way to get access to great
equipment. We build for other reasons.

It is interesting to note that other kit industries, like the kit aircraft
industry, are thriving because the economies of self-built equipment still
exist.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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