[Elecraft] K2/100 (and other) Reviews Needed for eHam

[Jack Smith]

In addition, a subjective review hits things that the manufacturer's 
specs can't cover, such as:

- Ergonomics of control, menus, etc.
- For a kit, how difficult is it to build, how good are the instructions
- How is the manufacturer to deal with, should there be a problem
- How do the specifications translate into usable features and performance

A more thorough review, such as that conducted by the ARRL, can verify 
the claimed specifications. Those detailed reviews are, unfortunately, 
difficult for the average ham to conduct, as they require specialized 
test equipment and fair bit of experience to interpret the results 
correctly.

I also think that a negative review that is a  rant without reason is 
appropriately discounted by the readers, compared with a negative review 
that cites specific faults or dislikes.

In  the interest of disclosure, I'm also the seller of a panadapter kit 
that is purchased about 95% by K2 owners, although it was not originally 
aimed at that market. I have one review of the Z90 on Eham.com under 
Third Party Equipment rating it a 5/5.

Jack K8ZOA
www.cliftonlaboratories.com



Larry Phipps wrote:
> I assure you it is! I market a digital wattmeter kit and almost every 
> customer I poll says that eHam.net reviews were either the source of 
> their initial exposure to my kit, or the deciding factor in 
> purchasing. Some visit the site regularly looking for products with a 
> rating of 5.0 or close and a large number of reviews, while some go 
> there to verify performance claims, which may seem hard to believe 
> otherwise in my case. Either way, it's by far my best marketing tool 
> followed by comments on reflectors and word of mouth OTA, at club 
> meetings, etc... all basically someone's opinion. I suspect it's the 
> same with Elecraft.
>
> In other words, an impartial third party opinion counts more than a 
> manufacturer's claims.
>
> 73,
> Larry N8LP
> www.telepostinc.com
>
>
>
> Wyn Hughes wrote:
>> A little marketing is good and well deserved for the Elecraft line up 
>> in general, but I do wonder who with any average intelligence would 
>> rely on a purely personal or subjective view. Marketing execs tell us 
>> that people do listen to this kind of stuff, but do we? Is this stuff 
>> worth powder and shot?
>>
>> Anyhow, like Drake gear, all Elecraft stuff is by definition "great", 
>> so who are we to argue or cause dissention among the foot soldiers or 
>> centurions?
>>
>> Best for the Lunar New Year to all
>> Wyn, VR2AX
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