[Elecraft] [KX3 amp] 100/50

[Johnny Siu]

Hello Rick,
 
May be a bit off-topic here.
 
I have no idea of how KPA500 sales volume compared with other competitors.  My choice of KPA500 is due to its ability of being portable and I don't need full 1kw in my apartment operation condition.
 
My original intention is to get a SPE-1ka expert where is only slightly less than US$4000 here in VR2.  I consider SPE-1Ka is very value for money in my prospective (or in terms of $/watt) and also fulfill the ability to be portable.  However, I am using hamstick in a high rise apartment so that it is no way to operate full 1kw.  Therefore, I drop idea of SPE-1ka.  Bearing in mind, the total cost of Elecraft amplifier should be KPA500 + KAT500.
 
For similar reason, I sold my Icom ICPW-1 which was a strong work horse.  The sales proceed of my PW1 will be very much enough for me to buy any 500w linear amplifier.
 
The strengthen of JPY does give hard hit to Japanese manufacturer.  In terms of US$, street price of ICPW1 has been increased from US$3,900 to US$5,000 solely due to the rise of JPY.  Bearing in mind, ICPW1 delivers full 1kw RTTY.
 
Business culture of US and Japanese is different.  Both cultures have its own successful history depending on when and where.  In the early days of my business school in the universities, Just-in-time (no stock of spare parts) was given high regard.  Toyota has been a succesful example of Just-in-time. However, after the tsunami last year, most Japanese manufacturers exactly died on the hands of Just-in-time.
 
Hong Kong is some how a link between western and eastern culture.  We are hugely influenced by the British in terms of western ideas and at the same time have our own eastern values.  We are lucky enough to learn the good / bad of both cultures.  The composition of my radio shack fully reflect this.  I have the big ICOMs as station radios.  K3 is for portable  and QRV to outline islands - the smallest radio with true dual receivers.  The forthcoming KX3 will be used as a man pack radio.  Lastly, I have a US$30 Chinese H/T for casual use.
 
Under digital mode, NUE-PSK modem is my choice for PSK31.  SCS pactor 3 modem is for airmail and winlink. 

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC


________________________________
 從︰ Rick Stealey <rstealey at hotmail.com>
收件人︰ elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
傳送日期︰ 2012年01月19日 (週四) 9:15 PM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] [KX3 amp] 100/50
  


>To be fair, if the sales volume of elecraft products is in line with those major Japanese ham radio manufacturers, it will be very difficult for both Wayne and Eric to maintain the existing response time.

I'm not worried.  WHEN, (not IF) Elecraft sales volume exceeds the JA manufacturers, 
Wayne and Eric will have trained people to take care of customers.  They don't do 
everything themselves today.  They have great employees who work the same way they do.  
It's part of their culture, it's been that way from the start.

But that day might already be here Johnny.  How does the sales volume of KPA500s compare
with that of competing solid state amps?  You think the production line of JA amps just 
"might" have been scaled back in the past 6 months ? !

Rick  K2XT