State Department and 2m-440 issue

[Tom at utd.com]

>From: wf3h at enter.net (bob puharic)

>I talked to Mr Warren Richards today of the State Dept's IWG-2a. I was
>very polite, explaining that we hams were concerned about the loss of
>our freqs. Mr Richards was very hostile and abusive, accusing hams of
>attempting to intimidate him, and saying "you know how many GODDAMN
>emails I have from you people?" He said our freqs will continue to be
>under consideration for reallocation and accused the ARRL of spreading
>"bullshit"."
>
 
I've been staying out of this one because I really don't see it coming to 
pass. None the less, it would seem to me that Mr. Warren Richards 
manager/supervisor/boss would be interested to know how he deals with the 
public. This gives complete justification for going another rung up the 
ladder. I think this would show Mr. Warren what intimidation really feels 
like.
N2GQS
 Tom at utd.com


>From kc2x at nebula.ispace.com (Steve Sacco KC2X)  Sun Jun  2 16:19:04 1996
From: kc2x at nebula.ispace.com (Steve Sacco KC2X) (Steve Sacco KC2X)
Date: Sun, 02 Jun 96 10:19:04 -0500
Subject: W6QHS remarks Re: ALPHA
Message-ID: <199606021527.KAA08750 at nebula.ispace.com>

-- [ From: Steve Sacco KC2X * EMC.Ver #2.5.03 ] --

> Since ETO is merging with a public company, any of you who have the
> slightest experience with being public will recognize that everyone
> associated with ETO will have been told, quite firmly, we can't say
> anything publicly without review.  This usually means review by the
> acquiring company's management, counsel, banker, etc.
> 
> It's a bit naive to respond to ETO's inability to comment as if it
> had some deep and devious meaning.  You should assume that there is
> no way ETO is going to whisper some tidbit to us hams at a possible
> cost of everything Dick has worked for all his life.
> 
> But those of us who know him personally know he's hooked on the
> ham amplifier business even to his personal financial disadvantage, and
> he's not likely to abandon the part of the business he loves the best.
> 
> Let's leave the rumor-mongering and conspiracy theories to some less
> experienced group in some other hobby, cut ETO some slack while they
> get their deal done, then see what results.
> 
> 73 de Dave, W6QHS
> 
-------- REPLY, End of original message --------

Dear Dave - 

As someone whom I greatly admire (I'd place you just one rung under K1ZX's 
characterization of you as a "God"), I am somewhat taken aback by your reply
.  

First, I haven't the foggiest notion whether the company purchasing ETO is
or is not publicly owned, and as a customer of ETO, I could not care less.

Second, as the acquisition was announced quite a long time ago, in my mind,
it was a "done deal" - i.e. completed.  Therefore, even if I _had_ been
aware
of the fact that the soon-to-be parent company was a publicly traded one, I
would have assumed that the need for any CIA-KGB-FBI type secret stuff was 
in the past.  In any event, we are talking about an acquisition, not an
IPO situation; I'm not sure the need for secrecy is as great as you infer.
When one company announces the purchase of another company, 
the news is filled with speculation as to what their future plans 
for that company might be.  This speculation is neither unexpected, nor
unreasonable.  When Cisco buys TGV, or Stratacom, should customers stand
around,
say "let the deal get done", and _not_ try to infer what this might mean to 
them in particular, and the networking industry in general?  Obviously, not.

Third, I must admit to caring some about W4ETO's life's work,
but I care a great deal more about the $2,500 cost for the 91B I ordered 
last Tuesday, and the ability of the manufacturer to support the amplifier 
now, and in the future. 

This is not an unreasonable concern for me, or most any other Amateur.  
Unlike a multi-million/billion dollar corporation, the cost of an
amplifier represents a measurable and significant percentage of my personal 
"wealth" - I believe that it is a safe assumption for most other Amateurs.  

The times we live in are all about making money. Nobody's going to 
"watch your six" for you.  Unlike a business, (or a wealthy Amateur),
I can't easily write-off $2,500 worth of equipment rendered junk because 
it can't be repaired.

If there's any question about ETO's willingness to support their products,
it's 
a concern to me and other current and potential customers.

If ETO chooses not to make public statements outlining their future plans
and this causes their current and potential customers to question them as a
supplier, that is ETO's problem, and theirs alone.  To expect _any_ employee
,
or customer to tolerate the argument that they should "cut them some slack"
displays 
a serious lack of concern for these folks.

Who's looking out for us?   The seven-figure salary investment bankers?  The
lawyers
driving around in $90,000 Mercedes?  The executives with their stock options
?  

I think not!

Fourth, I must take exception at your characterization of my remarks as
"naive..... as if it had some deep and devious meaning." and "rumor-
mongering and conspiracy theories".  Any inferences are _yours_ dear sir,
not mine.  My statement was: 

	"Ray said "I cannot confirm or deny that rumor", which is not
	quite the answer I was hoping to hear...."

PERIOD!  

I drew no conclusions; I made no inferences.  Obviously, with this letter,
I've made public my concerns about the situation, just as you drew the
conclusion
that my interpretation of Ray's remarks were that they were "dark and
devious".

As a customer, I asked a reasonable question, and received what I consider
to be an 
unreasonable answer.  I wanted to hear "NO WAY".  I would have tolerated
"YEP, IT'S TRUE",because that would have at least removed the uncertainty
from the situation.  

Deep and devious?  How about "curious and concerned"?  My personal
interpretation is that this situation just reinforces the fact that we
should be careful with our money - business decisions are made because they
are expected to maximize the return of shareholder's capital, not because
"it's the right thing to do" for the customer or employee.  

To expect anything else is foolhardy, as I'm sure you will agree.  Armed
with this knowledge, we can make decisions which serve to maximize our own
return on investment. If that investment is $2,500 in an amplifier, rather
than stock in Intel or AMD, 
so be it; the principle is the same.

>From your remarks, I now understand they are letting their customers twist
in the wind, until the suits have their money safely in their bank accounts.

Lastly, do not know Dick, and thus I have no knowledge of Dick's intentions
now, 
or in the future, although I must assume that if he _did_ make his
intentions public, 
it would be in violation of corporate gag orders.

Given the times, I believe it is wise to expect the worst, and hope for the
best:
To my way of thinking, this means assume that Dick will take his well-
deserved booty, 
buy a small country, retire there, and never be heard from again.  Anything
more than that is to the plus side.

If you wish to discuss this further, let's do so privately.

Respectfully submitted,

Steve KC2X
--
kc2x at nebula.ispace.com