[Elecraft] The Phone Call

[Al Lorona]

I just read the Elecraft December Newsletter, so I made a quick phone call. It's still morning over there.

Big Radio Company: How may I direct your call?
Me: Yes, hello, I'd like to speak to your CTO.
BRC: Oh, I'm sorry sir, but I can't do that.
Me: How about a co-founder?
BRC: No...
Me: Why not? I'm about to buy a new radio, and it's down to Elecraft and you guys, and Elecraft says I can go hang out with one of the big wigs and play radio, so I'm calling you to see if you'll match that offer. You know, maybe I can come over and hang out in your ham station -- you do have a station, don't you?-- and your big wig can come out and have a soda with me, and we can trade stories and shoot the breeze and then call CQ on 20. Yeah?
BRC: No, sir, I'm sorry. <lowering her voice> To tell you the truth... we don't even *know* who the CTO is.
Me:  Excuse me?
BRC: We see important-looking people pass by all the time, but we don't actually know which one is the CTO. We're a big conglomerate now.
Me: Well, maybe you can find someone under him, like the VP of engineering. I'd like to meet him. Or her.
BRC: Oh, no. That's not possible. <lowering her voice again>. You see, he doesn't actually design any of our products. He has a team working under him, and they do all the work. <pausing> He does select the knobs that go on the radios, though.
Me: The chief knob-picker, eh? Gee, I was hoping for someone who knows how to match impedance, or optimize a sigmoid response. Got any amplifier experts? 
BRC: Not really.
Me: AGC gurus?
BRC: Not that I know of.
Me: Anybody who solders?
BRC: Oh, yes! You could have lunch with Maria. She's our absolute best solderer.
Me: Can she dig a signal out of the noise? Does she like hiking?
BRC: <silence>
Me: Never mind. You know, I'm glad I called you. I think my mind is made up. Good-bye and thank you!
BRC: Good day, sir, and thank you for calling.


Al  W6LX