[Elecraft] K3 - Another one on order

[Jerry Keller (K3BZ)]

Thanks, Bill.... When you get down to the component level.... or even the 
board level.... I'm sure much has to sourced offshore. Even if we could 
afford what Elecraft would have to pay for onshore labor costs to build 
those boards, I doubt that the skills are adequately available here anymore. 
So of course I meant the the final assembly of the "factory assembled" K3 
units. I'm glad to hear it's all done in California. (And as kits, in home 
workshops around the globe)
I don't think it's a "language barrier" that keeps the Big 3 from taking an 
accurate pulse of the amateur community... at least not in this country. 
Nowadays they each have plenty of English speakers in their management. But 
do they have real hams doing their design work? Do they have real hams 
getting real-time feedback from the users? Probably not so much. As you 
point out, that is what makes Elecraft really special.... we knows 'em, and 
they is us.
73, Jerry K3BZ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Tippett" <btippett at alum.mit.edu>
To: "Jerry Keller (K3BZ)" <k3bz at arrl.net>; <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Another one on order


> Hi Jerry,
>
> On Sat, Mar 1, 2008 at 7:42 AM, Jerry Keller (K3BZ) <k3bz at arrl.net> wrote:
>
>> Bill... not that it makes any real difference to the point you were
>>  making.... but it's David and Goliath.
>
> Yes, too early and I corrected that...was thinking of David KY1V.
>
> Anyway, I have a K3 on order for all
>>  the reasons you gave and at least one more.... I've been under the
>>  impression that Elecraft's products are "made in the USA".  But some
>>  comments here on the reflector have made me wonder how true that is... 
>> do
>>  you happen to know?
>
> Since most Elecraft products are kits, they are actually "made"
> everywhere (by the kit builder).  If you mean the components inside
> them, I'm sure they're sourced from many places.  It would be very
> difficult to find parts if you stipulated that all must come from the
> USA.  I've been on the list since I built a K2 about 4 years ago but
> haven't noticed many comments about this...maybe I just wasn't paying
> attention.  I'm fairly sure Elecraft does all final test and assembly
> of the K3 in Aptos, outsources SMD board-stuffing (not sure to whom)
> and the components come from everywhere.  What matters most to me is
> where the products are designed (i.e. the real value-added in today's
> world).
>
> I believe the 3 American companies (Elecraft, Flex and Ten-Tec) have
> the business model of the future (which may apply to many other areas
> besides ham radio):
>
> 1.  Distribute directly instead of via distributors...thereby saving
> significant costs (somewhat like Dell did with PCs).
>
> 2.  Make heavy use of the Internet as a tool for customer feedback,
> firmware updates, building customer loyalty, etc.
>
> 3.  Listen to customers intently and respond promptly (this is the
> real key to success IMHO).
>
> 4.  Enable other companies to facilitate your own success.  N8LP's
> LP-PAN and VE3NEA's CW Skimmer are going to have a **huge** impact on
> the success of the K3.  I truly doubt that the Big-3 have the
> slightest comprehension of the impact this may have in strengthening
> the K3's success in the marketplace.
>
> It's a very simple but powerful model that the Big-3 have yet to
> figure out...probably influenced by their language barrier.  By the
> time they figure it out, the world may have vastly changed on them.
>
> 73,  Bill  W4ZV
>
> P.S.  Copying to the list since others might have comments.