[TenTec] Orion II has ended production

[Michael Cheponis]

The question I have is:

Can you make a $1K radio that is, say,  90% of a $10K radio's performance?

Those that demand the "very best" are willing to pay for it; the
performance-vs-dollars curve is not linear.

With today's superior tech, it would seem at least possible to build a
market-successful radio at the $1K price point with "pretty darn good"
performance -- let's say "KWM-2" level.

The ARRL has had at least a couple of homebrew contests where they kept the
total parts cost fixed, and the contestants had to design and build to the
spec as best they could; seeing what they accomplished makes me believe the
"$1K modern KWM-2" is probably possible.

-Mike  K3MC / 6

On Sun, Jun 30, 2013 at 8:47 PM, Robert Mcgraw <rmcgraw at blomand.net> wrote:

> I agree!   Now lets look at this:
>
> (a)  How many hams are willing to spend $4K to $7K for a radio?  I view
> an item like the "Orion III" would like to be in this range.
>
> (b)  How many hams are willing to spend less than $2K for a radio?
>
> (c)  How many hams are willing to spend less than $1K for a radio?
>
> Now for all of the above lets assume 160m - 6m, 100 watt radio.
>
> I'll give you a clue (c) will be the big winner regardless of what's
> packed into the radio.
>
> 73  "A cheap ham"
> K4TAX
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Let's face it: the 566 hardware platform is 8 years old, and nearing the
> > end of its new-product life cycle.  That said, I have to agree with Barry
> >  --
> > bringing out an Orion III with state-of-the-art hardware wouldn't be too
> > difficult, if sufficient customer demand exists.  Does it?  I don't
> > know...
> >
> > 73 Ray W2RS
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
>
> --
> Disclosure:
> I am a Tentec Ambassador and compensated according to the Tentec
> Ambassador plan. I serve as a volunteer beta test person for the Omni
> VII, Eagle and Argonaut VI products.   Otherwise, I hold no business or
> employment interest with Tentec.
>
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