I have been watching this thread with interest. I used to do a lot of M&A
stuff (usually as the buyer) and there was always a reason for each deal but
the reasons could be very different. It was not always about some kind of
instant synergy. Many times there was a long term reason mixed in with
other deals and details.
One of the problems I see with the markets that TenTec and Alpha are in is
that there is a sort of a "diminishing returns" situation at work. There is
definitely a market at the top for those who will pay top dollar for some
kind of incremental design/performance improvement. In ham radio this is
not a huge market but it can definitely be exploited by good businesspeople.
The problem is that this is not a real big market and probably not one that
is growing very fast. I don't have any statistics to back this up. It is
just a hunch.
On the other hand it is becoming increasingly less of a problem from a cost
and design standpoint to hit the broad middle of the market with a range of
different product designs. I think this skews most of the ham market toward
companies that can design and manufacture very cheaply. You can interpret
this any way you want to.
In the case of TenTec/RF Concepts it looks to me like the new company will
be able to leverage the talents of existing people, probably minus 2 or 3 at
the top of TenTec, and pool some overlapping design and manufacturing people
to get some increased efficiency. They should be able to do this in a way
that will lower their costs.
The problem with any merger of talents is that sometimes various people just
don't work out like the original thinking indicated. The management aspects
of this pooling of talents and physical assets are very tricky. If this is
well-handled then the ham radio world will be better off. You just have to
try it and wait and see what happens.
This is the nature of investing time and money in anything. You just have
to believe you can do it. Apparently, RF Concepts and TenTec think they can
do it. We'll have to hope they are right.
----------------- Wes Attaway (N5WA) -------------------
1138 Waters Edge Circle, Shreveport, LA 71106
--- 318-393-3289 (Cell) ---
Computer Consulting and Forensics
-------------- EnCase Certified Examiner ---------------
-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jack
Emerson
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 10:03 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Merger
Cecil,
I think your suggestion is dead on for my tastes; I consider the Orion and
O2 to be top of the line sports cars. I love mine, best radio I've owned by
far in 37 yrs as a ham. But I would love to see a top of the line, luxury
model, and yes, I'd find a way to own it if they decide to make it. Maybe
your suggestion should be called "field of dreams", as in "build it and they
will come".
I know I would.
Good post.
73 de Jack W4TJE
-----Original Message-----
From: Cecil
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 10:32 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Merger
Oh don't read me wrong...never said the Orion was not a giant killer...it
was. Keyword here is WAS.
All the others mentioned are still being made and have some killer bells and
whistles you would expect to find on a flagship model. They won't appeal to
everyone...most flagship models don't for several reasons the price point
being one. But they do sell. There are quite a few 7800's out there.
I also like to look at the Sherwood page but it ranks only on one receiver
parameter and many believe its a ranking of best to worst but there are many
more considerations than just close spaced IM to make a well rounded
receiver/transceiver.
One example...you could make the top of Rob list but have audio that's
difficult to live with and it becomes a less desirable product.
Just my thoughts...
Cecil
K5DL
Sent from my iPad
> On May 20, 2014, at 8:21 PM, Dave Heil <k8mn@frontiernet.net> wrote:
>
> I enjoy perusing the Sherwood receiver stats. What about either of the
> Orions was not compatible with the likes of the IC-7800 or TS-990 at a
> great deal less money? Even the FT-5000's receiver is only marginally
> better in some regards. The problem was, they quit making them.
>
> 73,
>
> Dave Heil K8MN
>
>> On 5/21/2014 01 05, Cecil wrote:
>> I agree...I'd buy that. That said I would also like to see Ten-Tec do a
>> blow out flagship to showcase the best they are capable of.
>>
>> It would be a low volume unit but would be competitive with the Icom
>> 7800, the Kenwood TS-990 and the Yaesu FT-9000... Things learned in that
>> process could trickle down to the volume sales leaders...
>>
>> Just thinking out loud...
>>
>> Cecil
>> K5DL
>
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> TenTec@contesting.com
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