[Elecraft] K3: prices - I'm adding to the noise.

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

This price increase should not have been a surprise to anyone.

When the K3 first came out, there were numerous posts about "gosh, how
inexpensive is that!".
It was even compared to a "loaded" K2 and boy..they sure were close.

Did this make sense to us?  Not really (marketing aside).  We were all
rubbing our hands together, thrilled and gleeful at the obvious
"mistake" Elecraft had made in its pricing.  Don't think so?  Read the
old posts.

The initial price of the KPA3 was LESS THAN the KPA100 for the K2.
Did that make sense?  Not to me.  And with the KPA3, not only do you
get a 100 watt PA, you get TWO cooling fans with a 4 speed controller.

When the price last went up on the PA, it MATCHED the price of the
KPA100.  Still rather strange.

And with the last price increase, there were also posts "warning" that
we should "expect" more price increases...certainly before Dayton.
Those "warnings" did not come from Elecraft, but they were,
nevertheless, out there.  If you "trust" the folks who post on here
about technical issues, why not take heed in other arenas?

I think the 8 pole filter prices have also just gone up (to $125)
which I THINK is only a $5 increase (maybe I am wrong).

I don't know WHY the prices are going up, but there could be lots of
valid reasons, not the least of which MIGHT BE that after the Sherwood
Engineering and ARRL dynamite reviews, that they are expecting an
avalanche of orders from those who want to the BEST "in any class."
YMMV.  If it were my company, sure sounds like as good a time as any
to add in some additional.  I would never define these increase as
"greed," but rather as measured increments based on real company
logic.  You can't survive without an adequate margin.

And you know what?  Don't look now, but they are STILL waaaay less
expensive than the FT9000 or the IC7800 or the TT Orion II.  And the
IC7700 too, but that can't hold a candle to the K3.

The Pro III is going down in price...why not...it is OLD technology
with minor reworking.  Does it work?  Sure?  Is it 'good?' You look up
the ARRL specs and judge for yourself.  Is it cutting edge with the
owners engaging in direct communication with their users and
constantly making a fantastic radio even better?  Don't make me laugh.

The price of the K3 is still "a song" for this level of radio.  Check
the market.

And look, a "loaded" K2 is now a much better deal, relatively
speaking.  I still have my K2!  You do have choices!

de Doug KR2Q