[Elecraft] K3 S/N plate,

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

You've just discovered there's a side of existence you've yet to experience.
It's the same as those who have, for centuries, hewn wood, rolled iron into
huge plates, woven hemp into stout ropes and enlisted hundreds of other
inanimate objects in a huge construction effort. Then they thoughtfully give
it a name, christen it like a new-born baby, and set it afloat on the waters
of the world. 

Why would anyone do that to an inanimate object like a ship? Because it's
the sane, human thing for them to do! 

You are free to experience this, or not. That's the beauty of it. It does
not require anyone to participate but those for whom it is important. 

Let the good times roll...

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K9ZTV

John Harper, AE5X, wrote:

I've never understood the fixation some Elecraft-owners have with their 
rigs' serial number.


I was wondering how long it would be before someone with common sense 
came along.  I completely agree with Mr. Harper that we Elecraft owners 
are much too enamored with serial numbers.  These aren't limited-edition 
European china used for affairs-of-state at Buckingham Palace and 
autographed by the queen.  For heavens sake, they're just radios ... 
boxes of wires, metal, carbon, plastic, and other unsentimental 
material.  No less a company than Collins is notorious for 
non-sequential numbering.  In fact, the only way of dating a KWM-2 is by 
the date-numbers etched onto the sides of the crystal-cases, and that's 
assuming the crystals are original to the rig (and that they had numbers 
in the first place which not all did).

We Americans seem to have developed a propensity over the last decade or 
so for fawning after "idols-du-jour," both human and material.  Except 
to a poorly developed ego, it makes not one scintilla of difference when 
a given "box" is manufactured, sold, purchased, or "modular-ated."

Elecraft as a company, unique as it is, exists to transfer money from 
your pockets to the owners' pockets.  That they have done so by 
producing a quality product and answering emails is commendable, but 
that is not their (nor my, nor yours if you're honest) ultimate goal.  A 
comfortable retirement is.  That one can have fun and create enjoyment 
for others along the way is icing on the cake.  But the cake is capitalism.

Let's get off the kneelers, cool the incense, stop with the mantras and 
chants, and be adults about this whole K3 business before it becomes the 
cult it already has.

My opinion only . . .

73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, MO _______________________________________________