[TowerTalk] [Fwd: KT-36XA Visalia Report]

[Kurt Andress]

thompson@mindspring.com wrote:
> 
> I just got the April 2000 CQ Contest Magazine and saw the M2 Ad for the
> KT-36XA.  No specs on the M2 web page, but I sent a
> query for info to them.
> 
> Does anyone know if this is the replacement for the 34XA or the larger
> version?
> 

Paul McInnish - K4BET wrote:
> 
> Would someone advise the web site for M2?
> 
> Also, anyone advise if they ARE supporting the KT-34XA with parts,
> upgrades, etc.?
> 


I talked to the fellows in the M2 booth in Visalia this weekend. 
Like the mag ad says Mike Staal has redesigned the antenna. It is going
to be the NEW replacement for the old KT34XA. They had an element in the
booth. It has new CNC machined plates with a nice compression clamping
feature to connect the linear loading tubes to the element, instead of
the old straps. That looks like a substantial improvement over the old
configuration. It had new black molded plastic capacitor end caps. There
was no sample boom connection to show what the new replacement (cited in
the mag ad) will be for the old molded Lexan connections. 

As I understand it...they will be offering a complete new antenna and
upgrade kits for old antennas. I asked what the upgrade kit would cost
(for the old turkey laying in my pile), and was told $XXX.xx ??? and
that they are still figuring it out. The project sounds like it is still
in the manufacturing prototype phase now.
So, get ready to stand by....

The M2 website is http://www.m2inc.com
And it says they are going to do their best to support the XA fleet with
spares.

I've been thru enough of these new product development loops to know
that it's NOT done till it IS done. 
I would advise everyone to hang on for a couple of seconds (regardless
of what the CQ Contest Mag ad says) while they figure it out.

I'd imagine they will be the first ones inspired to tell everyone when
something is ready to ship and how much it costs.

It appears that the KT3?XA is not dead. Just trying to find it's new
life.

-- 
73, Kurt, K7NV

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