[Heathkit] Re: [Hallicrafters] Hallicrafters Re: Why A Storm Series

Sun Sep 19 06:00:10 EDT 2004

Well, Collins does have the unique distinction of having an alcoholic drink
named after them, the 'Tom Collins'. What can I say our, dear modest and ever
humble Mr. Knepper? If one drinks enough of them, it explains why some among us
have this foggy view of reality. (chuckle)	

Collins 'was' a very good product line. That is the past tense Dr. David, as I
am certain the perpetrator of philosophical prevarication's for the Collins
Journal is keenly cognizant of. (colorizing the truth and/or the inventing of
facts when necessary is known among we writers as 'Writers License'. It is not
dishonesty, rather journalism.) It has been blatently obvious, even to the blind
among us, that the good doctor has been given to tunnel vision when it comes to
his perception of Collins products. They are the 'only' good radio. Makes one
wonder why the United States Navy tossed them over the side of the USS Forrestal
in 1988 into the Caribbean, or so the story goes. Maybe they needed a boat
anchor? (grin) Hey, the Collins R-390/R-390a were incredible products! If we
knew exactly where they got pitched, I am sure some of us would go rescue them.)

As Pete, WA2CWA, pointed out, some brands were named after the untamed forces of
Nature, some after ancient nomadic or warrior peoples, some after American
Indian tribes etc. But only one name can be found in every pub on the planet,
'Collins'. A lot of famous entities were named 'Tom'; Tom Turkey, Tom Thumb, Tom
Tom the piper's son and in this particular case, Tom foolery. 	

Which raises the burning issue: If Collins was the best, what pray tell, was the
Edsel of radios?

----------
From: David Knepper <cra at floodcity.net>
To: peter A Markavage <manualman at juno.com>
Cc: Collins Mail List <collins at mailman.qth.net>; heathkit at mailman.qth.net;
hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Heathkit] Re: [Hallicrafters] Hallicrafters Re: Why A Storm Series
Date: Sunday, September 19, 2004 4:01 AM

I can only conclude that the Japanese manufacturers, like Kenwood, Icom,
Yaesu, etc., have little or no concern for creating a line of amateur
products that have symbolic or metaphorical meanings.  Obviously, they want
to project a different image.  Creativity goes into their radio and not on
them.

I wonder what Mr. Collins must have been thinking (and smiling) when
Hallicrafters, etc. dreamed up such names!
Of course, E.F. Johnson Company capitalized on the Viking sterotype with
such product names as the "Invader" and "Valiant", etc.

Anyone want to suggest a new marketing campaign for the Collins line:
75A-5, KWM-2, etc.?

Good day.

Dave, W3ST
Publisher of the Collins Journal
Secretary to the Collins Radio Association
www.collinsra.com
Nets:  3805 Khz, Monday/Wednesdays 8 PM EDST
          14250 Khz Saturday, 12 Noon EDST

----- Original Message -----
From: "peter A Markavage" <manualman at juno.com>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 3:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Hallicrafters Re: Why A Storm Series

> And maybe, in their testing lab, they were unpredictable and
> uncontrollable most of the time. Heath had their Indian tribes, Clegg had
> their mythical Greek Gods, Johnson had their Vikings, etc.
>
> Pete, wa2cwa
>
> On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 20:08:27 -0700 "Mike Smout" <mikesmout at sympatico.ca>
> writes:
> > Duane, I'll bet someone in the Hallicrafters marketing department
> > used those three series names to convey the strength of the radios.
> > The sheer magnitude of force that is exerted by a Cyclone, Tornado,
> > or Hurricane would be nothing short of phenominal. If you had to
> > choose between a Sky Champion or a Cyclone, knowing nothing in terms
> > of the particluars for each radio, which one would you pick.  If you
> > did not know what a Corvette Sting Ray or a Rambler Ambassador
> > looked like, based on the name alone, which one would end up in your
> > driveway. The name kind of "smacks you in the face" don't you think.
>
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