[Elecraft] K3 & Competition

[David Y.]

For several reasons I hope it's true, and not just "hamfest hype".  I'm not 
looking for a replacement for my K3 or anything, but I would like to see 
Kenwood get back into the HF mix.  They do make some good radios when they 
set their minds to it (I like my TS-480 for certain situations).  There has 
been a lot of speculation about just where Kenwood is heading (some thought 
they were going out the door!), and I'm curious to see what this marriage to 
Motorola may mean as far as the ham radio division.

As for them making something that really competes with the K3--I suppose 
they can come close, but I find it hard to imagine that they will nurture 
it, improve it, and provide anywhere close to the level of customer support 
that Elecraft does.

I also saw a post (a couple of them actually) that said Ten-Tec was coming 
out with some software upgrades very soon for the Orions.  This was more 
Orlando talk from their sales people.  We've heard that many times before 
from Ten-Tec.  They seem to routinely make these kinds of statements at 
Dayton and other places, then they get lockjaw immediately afterwards. 
Maybe it's true, but they have "cried wolf" so often, I'm hesitant to 
believe it until I see it.

I have to bypass Dayton for the first time in several years--it directly 
conflicts with my daughter's graduation from Gonzaga Law School--she's in 
her mid 30's, so we've been waiting for this for a long time, and I'm very 
proud of her for sticking to her goals, as it wasn't easy!  Anyway, I'll be 
watching the chatter over the internet from Dayton in May.  A lot of rumors 
are starting to fly, but I wouldn't bet any large sums of money on very many 
of them, if any.

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "S Sacco" <nn4x.steve at gmail.com>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 12:45 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 & Competition


> While at the Orlando Hamcation, I stopped by the Kenwood booth.
>
> The sales dude mentioned that Kenwood would be introducing something
> in the "K3 class, as far as performance, but better".
>
> I thought that was wonderful compliment for Elecraft, that they
> specifically singled out the K3 as the benchmark.
>
> Who knows if it'll be better, or not.  Radios are so much about the
> software anymore, that without outstanding software controlling every
> aspect of the radio, the hardware, no matter how good, just won't be
> able to make up the difference.  Personally, I'd put my money  on
> Elecraft.
>
> He also mentioned that they'd have a "big radio" (presumably
> positioned against the FT-9000 / IC-7800) "sometime" in 2011.
>
> Anyway I thought I'd pass that along, FYI as they say.
>
> 73,
> Steve
> NN4X
> EL98jh
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