[Elecraft] Re: electronic product standards

[Ian J Maude]

Charles Harpole wrote:
>   The telephone style plug now arriving on so many rigs answers the 
> manufacturers' dream because they are so difficult to self-install 
> that the customer is nearly forced to purchase specific mics ... THEIR 
> LINE.
I have to disagree with you here.  Making adapters for these is really 
so simple.  a 1 metre network patch cable costs about £1.  Cut it in 
half and you have 2 adapters to wire as you wish.  It has never been easier.
>  
>
> The use of different pin-outs is cause for consumer anger because the 
> choice is not based on good engineering practice but on the desire to 
> sell their own differentiated product to those who have also purchased 
> their line of products.  Because most of the K, I, and Y crop of mics 
> are so equally bad, the only way to make their product different is 
> not via quality but via a unique pin-out plug.  Shameful business 
> practice that only hurts the consumer.
Again a rather cynical viewpoint that I disagree with.  They have simply 
standardised their own way as there is no 'standard' to comply with.
>   The reason Bob Heil's mics sell is that THEY ARE BETTER, and he has 
> made an easy line of adapters, too. 
Well I will not disagree with you on the mics, Bob's contribution has 
been terrific and he also has a good business head.  However, I would 
rather make my own adapters for pence.  As for his headsets, they plug 
right into the back of the K3, no adapter required.
>  
> Elecraft made a good showing by trying to copy the Kenwood standard 
> even if there is a problem with SOME CASES with pins 5 and 6 
> reversed.  That I have the time to explain the obvious shows that I am 
> retired, and ____ fill in the blank.
Not sure what obvious you are referring to Charles.  A *lot* of mics 
work with the K3 without any adjustment at all.  My Proset plugs in the 
back, my Goldline in the front.  I can use any Kenwood mic I own etc.  I 
simply don't feel that rewiring a mic is a big deal for anyone (unless 
they are blind or have problems with their hands of course).
Actually, looking at this discussion sideways, the rig must be fantastic 
if all we can find to complain about is the mic wiring :)

73 Ian

-- 

Ian J Maude, G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member RSGB, GQRP
K2 #4044 |K3 #?