[Kenwood] Discussion With Kenwood Rep Regarding Future HF Rigs

[Rick Markey, KN3C]

Dear Kenwood,

The choice of "obsolete" may have been a bit harsh, but when a manufacturer 
admits that they've suspended R&D in the amateur market for two years, it's 
not exactly a vote of confidence, would you say?

The decision to go after the commercial market is understandable.  But when 
you flat out tell the amateur market that you are temporarily not 
interested in them, well then you suffer the consequences.  If I'm looking 
to buy a new rig, am I going to look at Kenwood who has admitted to 
temporarily throwing in the towel, or am I going to look at Icom, Yaesu, or 
Ten-Tec, all of whom have come out with cutting edge radios?

I've been a loyal Kenwood customer for many years.  Just recently I 
purchased a TS-480 because it solved a problem for me in a new mobile 
installation.  But now that I know that Kenwood has temporarily lost 
interest in the amateur market, well maybe next time I need a radio, I'll 
look at the other players a bit more seriously.

de Rick, KN3C, owner of a TS-830, TS-850, TS-870, two TM-V7's, a TM-7950, 
TM-2550, TS-700A, TS-7730, and a few others that I don't recall at the 
moment.