[Elecraft] Elecraft's philosophy of community input on, product design

[Richards]

Yes, you HAVE succeeded using a difficult and unique business model that 
accommodates and fulfills the experimental and developmental aspects of 
ham radio.  Think about it ... to buy an Elecraft radio, especially in 
the very early days, is to buy an essentially unfinished 
work-in-progress undergoing constant development,  against the promise 
that bugs, foibles and peccadilloes will be cured with future firmware, 
and occasionally hardware, updates.   This realizes a major legal 
purpose of ham radio:  the advancement of radio science.   Elecraft 
owners are more than mere consumers;  they are an integral part of the 
process.   While this is not my style,  it appeals to a large number of 
operators willing to experiment and participate in product development, 
serving as so many ersatz field test sites. Had performance lagged, or 
had Elecraft failed to deliver promised features and improved 
performance, the company would have been relegated to ham radio history 
long ago. Personal accountability and accessibility while looking  the 
customer directly in the eye is a significant factor in its success. 
Selling both a process and a product is a bold, risky course.  
Fortunately, Elecraft has delivered the goods well enough, and often 
enough, to earn its place in the race.

That is just MY take, of course ... your mileage may vary. K8JHR