[TWIAR] Terror threat signals growth for Sevier ham radio firm (Ten-Tec)

[Greg Williams]

You might think that the wireless age would relegate amateur radio to the
communications museums of history.

Not so fast, said Stan Brock, head of amateur radio sales at Ten-Tec Inc., a
Sevierville company that develops and makes ham radios for both consumer and
commercial use.

With terrorism on the radar screen, ham radios are receiving renewed demand
for amateur, commercial and military uses, he said. It's a demand that
Ten-Tec is more than happy to supply.

Brock said the company, launched by 96-year-old Michigan transplant Al Kahn
in 1968, is the only remaining American supplier of a full line of amateur
radios and related products. Kahn has since retired from the business,
though he remains on the company board.

The 70- to 100-employee business - depending on the workload - also prides
itself on its reputation and quality of work, he said.

"We want to be seen as the HarleyDavidson of the amateur radio industry," he
said.

Starting today, the company will be strutting its stuff at its third annual
Homecoming Hamfest, held at the company's plant on Dolly Parton Parkway. The
fest begins today at 5 p.m. and continues through Saturday.

Last year about 1,500 people showed up for the event, which drew visitors
from 12 states, said Brock.

The fest will include tours of the plant, educational forums and, of course,
a lot of back-slapping and networking among amateur radio operators.

Short-wave radios have come a long way since their invention more than 100
years ago. Once boxes filled with transistors and diodes, today's radios run
by computer chips programmed with sophisticated software. Ten-Tec has
manufactured hundreds of versions of short-wave radios for commercial and
amateur use. Ceiling-high shelves in a museum room on-site display versions
of their radios made throughout the years.

Since Sept. 11's attacks in New York, amateur radio has seen a resurgence,
he said, as more people want to be able to communicate in emergency
conditions and stay tuned to world events.

Response to the attacks caused an overload of cell towers, said Brock, and
many people realized the more effective emergency communications could be
established through short-wave radio. The Internet, a new communications
means that has also trumped ham radio, can also get bogged down with too
much traffic, he said, and power outages can affect people's ability to tune
into what's going on.

"The Internet is only good for so many things," said Brock. "The airwaves
are always there."

As a result of 9-11, more communities are coordinating volunteer short-wave
radio networks to pass along information and aid responders in emergency,
said Brock.

Short-wave radios are also becoming easier to use, he said. Some versions
can simply be plugged into a personal computer or laptop, letting the PC's
software operate the system.

The military is also creating a higher demand for short-wave radios, he
said. Increased security spending and recent overseas operations have
boosted that area of Ten-Tec's business, although Brock said he couldn't be
specific about the ways the technology is being used.

Radios aren't Ten-Tec's only business. Using the mold and case building
capabilities developed for the radio business, the company also builds molds
and electronics boxes for other manufacturers, particularly the automotive
industry.

Brock shows off the audio control panel for a Ford Windstar minivan and
keyholders for Ford and GM. These mold and fabrication contracts make up
about 20 percent of Ten-Tec's business.

About 40 percent of the company's sales come from its amateur radio
business. About 40 percent comes from commercial clients. Brock said this
ability to diversify has been key to Ten-Tec's survival.

In addition to building radios, the company also repairs all its products
onsite, although the repairmen sometimes must scramble to find parts for
older radios, which customers still send in to be fixed.

Brock said founder Kahn launched the company out of his own love for amateur
radio, a devotion that's still reflected in the business.

"A lot of people that have been here have been here for years," he said. One
of the original engineers at the plant, Jack Burchfield, is now the company
president and continues that legacy, Brock said. "He has probably a hand in
every radio we build," he said.