[Elecraft] The Phone Call

Wed Dec 11 15:43:39 EST 2019

Mike,
     I was surprised to find who I was speaking to, but I do agree with 
you that it wouldn't be overly productive for Wayne. But, on the other 
hand in his case, I suspect he doesn't sleep. With his having to do what 
he does for Elecraft, I wonder how he has the time to play with the 
toys, test out his developments, etc. However, I am really glad there is 
someone in the company like him.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Michael Walker" <va3mw at portcredit.net>
To: "Barry" <barrylazar2 at gmail.com>
Cc: "Fred Soop" <fgstcf at gmail.com>; "Elecraft at mailman.qth.net" 
<Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: 12/11/2019 2:39:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Phone Call

>Keep in mind, what you experienced does not scale in business.
>
>Image if 50% of Elecraft’s customers wanted to call today and talk to Wayne or Eric.  That would not allow him to be working on the K4 or other new special stuff.
>
>This is why they all have staff.  :)
>
>Mike va3mw
>
>>  On Dec 11, 2019, at 2:18 PM, Barry <barrylazar2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>  Mike,
>>
>>     Actually, that really hasn't been my experience except Elecraft and Tentec which is no longer in business. I remember a call to Elecraft around 2100L EST when I ran into trouble when building my K2. The tech answered the phone and we spent about an hour trouble shooting a test that wasn't right. It turned out to be a bad capacitor, BUT the tech was the designer, Wayne. My experience with Elecraft has been over the top, but dealing directly with the developer has been something else.
>>
>>  73,
>>  Barry
>>  K3NDM
>>
>>  ------ Original Message ------
>>  From: "Michael Walker" <va3mw at portcredit.net>
>>  To: "Fred Soop" <fgstcf at gmail.com>
>>  Cc: "Elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>>  Sent: 12/11/2019 1:50:55 PM
>>  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Phone Call
>>
>>>  Fortunately, there are a lot of Ham Radio companies that you can
>>>  actually reach out to to the developers and who are active hams.
>>>
>>>  It isn't limited to just this one.
>>>
>>>  Mike va3mw
>>>
>>>
>>>>  On Wed, Dec 11, 2019 at 1:47 PM Fred Soop <fgstcf at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  I didn't actually make a call but after meeting Elecraft at Hamvention, my
>>>>  reaction was similar. Did not actually meet the top brass but one of their
>>>>  salespeople was able to tell me more about sorting out my antenna situation
>>>>  than many others combined.
>>>>
>>>>  73
>>>>  Fred AC9RQ
>>>>
>>>>  >>>
>>>>  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
>>>>  <<<
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>>>  ______________________________________________________________
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>>