[Elecraft] KX2 Satellite Derivative? (Was: Re: The KX2)

[Edward R Cole]

Sure - I have done no market analysis survey - its just a shot in the dark.

To address why no EU mfr - really?  How many ham mfrs are 
US-based?  ALL three top brands are in Japan.
Only Tentec and Elecraft are US.  There are many VHF-mw transverter 
mfr's located in EU and only one in the US.  (David should comment on 
UK-EU VHF activity).

OK.  When the Flex-5000, came out many eme stations bought it - they 
already had equipment.  Many eme'rs have bought the K3, as 
well.  They traded their old radios.  How many hams traded their 
FT-817 to buy the KX3? I did.

New tech doesn't just attract HFers.

Satellite experience faded with the end of the Heo linear transponder 
era.  Leo sat are lower altitude so max range is much more limited 
which also limits the number of stations that are workable - got 
that.  Having one channel causes "traffic jams" also negative.

That is why the radio I envision cannot be just for satellite 
users.  In fact it should be thoroughly researched for what the full 
spectrum of VHF+ users want.  I (not very humbly) believe I represent that.

I tried to list the features wanted.  The market is beyond just 
satellite users or eme'rs or FM repeater users, or contesters, or 
meteor scatter users, or Emcomm users, or digital mode users, ...only 
if the radio offers something for all of them - big hint!

All the big three are marketing multiple models for VHF multi-mode; 
only two radios do satellite in duplex (I'm not counting the 
HT's).  So there must be a market.

MY point it nothing made today offers all the feature that VHFers 
want, and many are not state of the art tech.  Elecraft has shown the 
willingness to venture into new tech.  Why I suggest they might 
consider making such a radio.

Some day someone will - watch the stampede when that happens!

73, Ed

To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Satellite Derivative? (Was: Re: The KX2)
Message-ID: <5745951F.2090102 at comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

I should be the last person on earth to comment on this.

If there is such a large market in EU then it suggests that an EU
manufacturer ought to be the source. Why hasn't that happened?

One factor missing from your 1000 estimate is the fraction that are
likely to buy.  Clearly active stations already have their own gear.

My experience with satellites is minimal. 1000 contacts.  The trouble
was that represented less than 50 different stations.  The novelty
quickly died.  Haven't been back since.

73 de Brian/K3KO



73, Ed - KL7UW
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