[Hallicrafters] Hallicrafters FPM-300 MK II Questions

[Craig Roberts]

Here's my guess regarding the lack of FPM-300 sales -- regardless of the 
quality (or lack thereof) of the late Hallicrafters transceiver:

It was introduced in the early '70's -- at which time the Japanese "Big 
Three" were rapidly displacing American manufacturers' products with 
attractively priced, quality built gear that performed well and was 
aggressively marketed. Unlike the American manufacturers, the Japanese 
builders were in good shape financially. They employed more economical 
labor, of course, but they also utilized more efficient manufacturing 
techniques, such as the extensive use of quick and reliable 
semi-automated circuit board construction rather than labor intensive, 
error prone and slower hand wiring. Most importantly, the Japanese 
amateur radio manufacturers were (and are) small divisions of much 
larger, diversified companies with financial resources that couldn't be 
matched by the more narrowly based American companies. The Japanese were 
also far-sighted enough not to dump the amateur market in the face of 
temporarily stagnant growth numbers (caused in part by the CB boom).

Ten-Tec emerged from this transition period by the sheer will, 
determination and business acumen of Al Kahn who built a company 
dedicated to quality products and outstanding customer service. Michael 
Dell did the same thing in the PC arena -- which is why his company's 
still around, too.

I guess.

73,

Craig
W3CRR
www.aerialacts.com