I am sure Ten-Tec has done their "due diligence" in terms of market
research on the new amp. There's still a significant installed base of
505/509/515 Argonauts out there, along with the Argonaut V, upcoming
Argonaut VI, and all other numerous QRP rigs, including the Elecraft
models. So, the market may be sufficiently large to support the 418.
No new solid-state amp is inexpensive, as proven by the Elecraft KPA500.
I've given a hard look at the KPA500 myself, but except for all its
design and operational amenities, I have a hard time justifying the cost
as a replacement for my SB-200, especially as to bang for the buck! I'm
not a contester, so I don't require super-fast QSY times.
Since Elecraft is launching a companion 100W amp for the KX3 - the
KXPA100, there must be a market demand for these amps, otherwise Ten-Tec
and Elecraft wouldn't have put investment into R&D and production.
73
Don W9CW
On 8/16/2012 5:45 PM, Ron Notarius W3WN wrote:
Well, if you guys are right, the amp won't stay on the market very long.
But yes, I think you're missing something.
Price isn't the only factor. Yes, it's a big one. However, these concerns
are coming across as akin to "I can buy a baseball ticket to the cheap seats
at a (Minor League Single-A) game for $5, so why would I spend $100 for a
ticket at the (Major League) ballpark (behind home plate in the all you can
eat section)? After all, a ticket is a ticket and a ball game is a ball
game!"
There are many, many QRP rigs out "in the wild" these days. [Most of them
even work, too!]. Many of these owners want QRO occasionally. They are
certainly candidates for the market this amp will address.
Or, take someone who owns, say, an Elecraft K2/10, and a K3/10, and maybe an
Argonaut 505/509/515/II. [And that's not THAT implausible, I know someone
who owns a K1, K2/10, a K3/100, and used to own a 505 until a few months
ago... and an Argonaut V and other rigs as well]. Now, let's say our
hypothetical rig owner wants to have that 100 W brick from time to time.
Does it make more sense for him to upgrade both Elecrafts to 100 W... or buy
one 418 and just swap it between the two rigs as needed.
And let's not lose sight that the 418 is going to be the companion for the
upcoming 539 Argonaut VI. I suspect that the price range for the two
together may well be comparable to the Eagle, and some will say "why not
just get an Eagle then?" and they'd have a point. Still, there will be
many who will get the 539 alone on it's own merits... and they'll still have
the option for the 418 (so long as it's in production) going forward.
Clearly this amp is not for everyone. But just as clearly, there is a niche
that can be filled.
Either Ten-Tec has chosen wisely, and will have a good long production run
and a lot of happy amp owners; or they have chosen poorly, and it will have
a short production run and soon be selling on eBay at a premium price as a
"rare" radio.
The market will bear.
73, ron w3wn
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