[Elecraft] LOW RESALE VALUE OF LOW SERIAL NUMBERS

[Steve Sacco NN4X]

Let's use a bit of logic here: It's not possible to pass judgement on 
the future resale value of low SN units, except in retrospect.  Who 
knows what the future will bring?  Perhaps, for whatever reason, 
there will be hardware revisions which make the K3 mark II, mark III, 
etcetera more desirable.

Even if that doesn't occur, a lower SN would denote an older unit, 
and would therefore be considered less desirable, except perhaps for 
the very lowest SN's.

Analagous with this, IMO, folks need to recalibrate their thinking 
with respect to radios.  The days of buying a Collins S-Line, and 
having a top-line rig for 30 years, are OVER.

Nowadays, radios are essential computers with enough RF hardware to 
let them RX and TX.  We all know what the PC/computer/semiconductor 
markets looks like: they get better/faster/cheaper every month.  A 
ten year old PC?   No thanks!  It'll be the same with 
radios.  Imagine what'll be possible in DSP technology ten years 
hence!  Same with display technology, and networking interfaces.  Who 
would want a 10 year old K3?  Not me!

Awhile ago, there was an angst-ridden thread here about the 
firmware.  The general concern was: "What if Elecraft went out of 
business in five [or some other number well into the future]?  What 
would happen to the firmware code?"  I nearly fell out of my chair, 
laughing.  Who cares?!  In five years, there will be even 
cooler/higher performing/less expensive radios available.  Folks were 
getting their panties in a knot based on 50 year old assumptions 
(that the radio will be viable for a long, long time), and it was an 
unfortunate waste of perfectly good energy.

I'd also hope that we're able to drag ourselves away from our 1950's, 
analog-based technology, and move to digital modes.  People are 
asking about AM?  Why not spark gap?  Let's move FORWARD.  We're 
supposed to be on the cutting edge of technology, and we're not there 
anymore.  Not even close.

All IMO.

73,
Steve NN4X
EL98jh

P.S: Also one of those folks who "misunderstood" that, by paying a 
down payment, I'd get priority treatment.





  _.    _.   ...._   _.._   nn4x at embarqmail.com