[Elecraft] New Orders

[Mike Short]

The thing people forget is that YaeComWood, TenTec, etc have much deeper
pockets and more resources. Borrowing a few million for them is no big deal,
but a substantial risk for a company of Elecraft's size. If a product does
not do well, there is less impact on the bottom line. The other companies
also have many more models to spread the pain over, as well as other
divisions that can contribute resources to development. You don't generally
hear about a product too much until it is ready to launch, and units are
already built and often on the way to dealers. You also get them with all
the warts that were deemed not worth fixing right away, as the early
adopters can beta test. (Just a generalization, not aimed at any specific
company) Sure there have been manufacturing problems, etc. Since they don't
own the plant, but have to contract it out, a lot of control is lost.
Elecraft's high standards are not easy to meet, causing further delays. 

If I had the money in May or any time after, I would have gladly paid a
deposit and waited. (I know, easy for me to say) I seriously considered
liquidating my equipment to do that very thing, but did not. In hind sight,
I should have, since I have been too busy to do any serious operating
anyway. I would now have a K3...

Mike
AI4NS

K2/100