[MilCom] Radio Manufacturer's Attendance At Airshows

[NIGHTHAWK001]

Dan, Larry, & The Group:

Unfortunately, many of the scanner manufacturers just don't emphasize enough 
in their marketing efforts.   Granted if a retailer is at a show they are 
looking for SALES.   Marketing gets the information out to potential 
uyers  -- maybe not an immediate buy BUT sometime in the future!!!

I still think that the "Wagon Guys" concept, out on the flight line with 
speakers, antennas, American flags waving, etc.  is a viable MARKETING 
tool!!!

Again in many instances at airshows, you have hobbyists with low price end 
scanners OR interested people with no scanners at all.   Most aren't going 
to buy a $300.00 radio.  Right now I would think that Radio Shack's Pro 97, 
when it's on sale for $150.00 is a their BEST bet, BUT perhaps someone could 
develop an aeroband radio AM only that would cover military tactical VHF, 
typical aero VHF, & military UHF, (about the same size as an Icom R2/R5) 
for around $100.00, it might be a winner at airshows.   Don't we have radio 
scanner booths at NASCAR races?  They seem to be successful!!!

If you want the hobby to grow you have to market in non traditional ways. 
Hey even Reader's Digest might be a source to try!!!   Right now most 
manufacturers target the hobby publications with the same advertisements 
just about every month!!!  It's basically the same people reading those ads 
every month.  Unfortunately with MARKETING type advertisement, unless you 
spend the money you won't know if you will be successful.

It sure is frustrating to go to an airshow and see an Accident/Liability 
Lawyer with a booth at an air show!!!  (Fortunately I didn't see ANYONE 
stopping by that booth!!!).   All of the major manufacturers need to be "on 
the air show circuit" for a full year to really gauge their results!!!

K


Larry Wrote:
>> Airshow, hamfest etc, just doesn't work for most companies anymore. Times
>> have changed and most of us have had to change with these times or go out 
>> of
>> business.

Dan wrote:
>
> Each year, less and less new manufactures at ham fests.  This year at the 
> Timonium, MD
> ham fest, there were NO new manufactures there!
> Dan (KB3IBQ)
> Horsham, Pa