[Kenwood] Discussion With Kenwood Rep Regarding Future HF Rigs

[John Geiger]

One of the sadder things about this decision also is
that Kenwood seems to have the best quality control
out there right now in the amateur market.  You don't
hear stories of Kenwood transceivers:

having transmit die after a couple of months (746PRO)
Being hopelessly off frequency (910H)
having severe RF feedback problems (857/897)
Having severe 6 meter transmit audio problems (897)
Needing grounding mods done (FT100)
and on and one

I would hope that Kenwood will continue in the future
to R and D in the amateur market, but if they don't, I
then own the last of a dying breed.

73s John NE0P
Currently own TS2000, TS60
Previously owned TS130, TS430, T/R599, TS600, TR9130,
TR851A
--- "Rick Markey, KN3C" <kn3c at arrl.net> wrote:

> 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.
> 
> 
> 



	
		
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