[Elecraft] Serial Number Data Base

[Fred Jensen]

On 6/15/2013 11:23 AM, Mark Petiford wrote:

> By "...work all the serial numbers..." I assume you mean learn who
> owns them and/or where they are located, etc.

If I recall correctly, "work all the serial numbers," which seems to 
have died as a pastime since Elecraft began selling so many radios, 
meant "work every serial number" literally.

> I
> understand why a manufacturer serializes his products, but I have
> been a bit surprise at the "serial number pride" that I have seen.
> Surprised, but not upset.

A major point may be being missed.  Early on at least, having a list of 
S/N's and their owners/contact info allowed one to find someone with a 
close S/N and discuss anomalies.  The Elecraft products did change over 
time, especially after initial production.  For every one I have [KX1, 
K2, K3, P3, KPA500, KAT500, W1], those changes diminish with time, and 
lately have been diminishing rapidly.  Likely the S/N database isn't as 
valuable now as it used to be.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org