[TenTec] How much for an Orion III?

Bob McGraw - K4TAX RMcGraw at Blomand.net
Mon Apr 14 12:16:04 EDT 2014


Oh I agree, brand recognition is likely 90% of the entire picture. Thus 
better defined as "bragging rights".

73
Bob, K4TAX





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] How much for an Orion III?


> Bob, it is a bit more complex than that.
>
> If you were to give each of those 4 radios (a, b, c, d) a different brand
> name and try to sell them independently of each other, then you are 100%
> correct; the bulk would be with c and d.  The revenue and even total 
> profit
> (not profit per box) will be with those two categories.
>
> Now introduce "brand" into the scenario.
>
> IMO, Yaesu has figured this out the best.
> They start by building an expensive high end box, migrate some of the
> features downwards, then advertise it as "FTdx5000 Heritage".  And Joe Ham
> swallows that hook, line and sinker - even though often a is indeed a good
> box and c is a piece of crap.
> This tactic increases (slightly) the amount of money Joe is willing to pay
> for c and d.  Multiply that increase times volume and you're in business!
>
> In order to make c and d attractive, it helps to have good brand 
> recognition
> in a and b, even if that's not where you make the money.  I'm not sure you
> need 4 classes of radios, but you do need 3.
>
> EXAMPLE:  Alinco; they are really only active in category d.  How many
> Alinco hf transceivers do we hear on the air?  There is no sex and glory 
> in
> an Alinco, even though they are just as good as the FT-450.  The 
> difference
> is brand recognition.
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bob 
> McGraw
> - K4TAX
> Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 5:06 PM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] How much for an Orion III?
>
> Having been on vacation for a few days etc., I've monitored the chat on 
> this
> topic via the wife's Kindle Fire.  It's proven to be interesting to read 
> the
> comments and suggestions. A few have actually been quite good.
>
>>From my perspective, the real questions to be satisfied are:
> (a)  how many hams are willing or able to buy a radio selling for over 
> $10K?
> (b)  how many hams are willing or able to buy a radio selling for 
> over/under
> $5K?
> (c)  how many hams are willing or able to buy a radio selling for over/
> under $2.5K?
> (d)  how many hams are willing or able to buy a radio selling for 
> over/under
> $1K?
>
> So exactly where is the market?
>
> But to extremes, hams seem to want a radio that has all the performance,
> whistles and bells and features of a radio selling for $10K or so, but it
> seems they only want to pay about $1K to $3K.  In other words there is not 
> 1
> radio that fits all, nor is there likely 5 radios that fit all.  Everybody
> seems to have different ideas and wants and needs.  The key operative here
> is NEEDS.  Just what does one NEED in terms of a radio?    Well that 
> depends
>
> largely on one's budget and preference of operations.  Contesters have one
> set of needs, rag chewers have a different set of needs, CW ops have a
> different set of needs and  then the braggers.........a totally different
> set of needs.  Just sit down and identify your specific needs for your
> station and operations for the next 5 years.  Write them down and try to
> find a radio on the market today that fills all of them.  Trust me, it 
> isn't
> that easy.
>
>>From a manufacturing point, quantity makes money.  In other words, would 
>>you
> prefer to make a single product that sells for $1 million dollars each, or
> would you prefer to make a million pieces that sell for $1 each?   Well, 
> the
>
> fewer headaches and the better profit is in the latter.  Same for ham
> radios.  If you doubt it, look at the history of MFJ as an example.  They
> have filled most ham shacks with lots of inexpensive, by comparison,
> goodies.
>
> Personally I would like to see the modular concept implemented where one 
> can
> add features and options based on their needs, their wants and their
> budgets.   Yes, budgets are very important as every ham ticket issued did
> not come with a $10K or so line of credit.   If yours did I want to know
> about it as mine didn't.
>
> And let me make it clear, I want a radio with knobs and buttons, not a box
> attached to a computer, although I do want the capability to operate the
> system under computer control.  More importantly,  I want the display 
> large
> enough for the old eyes to read and knobs and buttons large enough for old
> fingers to handle.
>
> How much am I willing to pay, well that answer is yet to be determined. 
> As
> 'tis often said "money talks and BS walks";  show me the goods and I'll 
> show
> you the money.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
>
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