[Hallicrafters] Hallicrafters FPM-300 MK II Questions

[Freeberg, Scott (STP)]

Hi Craig, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the FPM-300 and why it didn't take off.  Everything you mention makes sense.  So it isn't just one thing but a whole slew of reasons that resulted in Hallicrafters and other US manufacturers getting pushed out of the market and out of business.  Too bad.  Just think if Hallicrafters had an easy way to set the FPM-300 on 27 Mhz.....  It sure worked for Yaseu :))))))))))  Do you know the original owners of my Collins S-line bought it new for use on 27 Mhz :)))

I get the impression that the plain FPM-300 had some lingering design and manufacturing issues that weren't resolved until the MK II.  I don't know if the MK II has lingering issues.  I suppose they didn't get enough time to work the bugs out and build up that learning curve before running out of steam and cash, oh and customers.   Still, a wonderful legacy and I'm hoping to find an FPM-300 MK II to put on the air and enjoy it for what it is.

You mentioned Ten Tec. What a success story.  They certainly didn't survive on the amateur business.  I recall in the 80's Tentec was a big deal in commercial aluminum cabinets and chassis, plus machining, and I think they still are.  This is inline with your thoughts about where the amateur radio stuff was just a Japanese division of a much larger and viable company.  Tec Tec was the same way I think.

73, Scott WA9WFA