[Elecraft] Smile

[W6NEK]

Great comments Brian,
I have read everything on your web site and am anxious to see you bring this
AMERICAN product to market.  I wish you and your team the very best of luck.

I have built 10 K2 rigs and think it is without a doubt the best performing
radio, dollar for dollar, in its target market.  I also own and enjoy the
Icom 7800.  As a multi K2 builder I ask myself if the 7800 is $9,000 better
then the K2/100?  The answer is NO and YES.  NO, because I have yet to work
a station on the 7800 that I couldn't work with the K2.  Yes, because I love
the look, feel, and joy when I sit in front of 7800.  Is just feels great to
operate.  Therefore, is there room for a Sienna at my QTH?  If it performs
like a K2, and feels like a 7800 then you bet there is!  Bring it on guys.
The more choice in the HAM market place the better!

73,
Frank - W6NEK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Wood" <wood at lpbroadband.net>
To: "Phil LaMarche" <plamarc1 at tampabay.rr.com>; <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 4:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Smile


> Well, that message certainly got mangled. Let's try again...
>
> I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I appreciate all your
> comments about the Sienna. I have talked to Eric, and I respect the
> folks at Elecraft greatly. It is largely because they took the gamble to
> start a new kit company when everyone was saying it couldn't be done that
> the doors have been opened for others. I don't see us as competitors, but
> rather as two sides of the same coin, hopefully growing the industry so
> that both companies can prosper, and giving you more choices. In fact,
> this is one reason the Sienna is not positioned to compete with the K2/100
> but to give you a cheaper alternative to the big, expensive Japanese boxes
> while still being able to build it yourself. At least until Elecraft comes
> out with a high-end rig, we are in two completely different niches. The
> Sienna is most definitely not a backpacker's rig!
<SNIP>
> Just as there was once room for Heathkit, Eico, Dynaco, Knight and others,
> there is room for all of us today. Frankly, rather than grumbling about
> competition and how crazy an idea it is to put a PC (easily  upgradeable,
> by the way, to answer one objection) in a radio, we should all be more
> concerned with the state of amateur radio today and doing all we can to
> attract new hams - true, died-in-the-wool, build-it-yourself hams - so
> that we can all continue to enjoy this great hobby.
>
> 73,
> Brian, W0DZ
> Founder, DZKit