D. Peter Maus wrote:
An on-topic reference: The Lex-Tecs-Pass-dig-sahn line of Grundig
receivers. QC has often been dreadful. Repair is difficult to come
by. RNW's Tom Sundstrom's review of SAT 800 required how many units
to get to ONE that worked?

A good example is Ten-tec's new Chinese CW rig. Originally designed by
a Chinese ham who owned an electronics factory, they sold as kits on eBay for
$100.

Then they were imported to Canada as finished units by a relative of the
factory owner and sold to US hams without the relevant FCC approval, for
$150.

Ten-Tec now buys them, obtained FCC approval and re-sells them for $250.
The difference between the original units is that they were three band,
but would not pass FCC approval, and the Ten-Tec ones do, but are two band.

They also come with full Ten-Tec support, a warranty, and probably some
sort of QA testing in the US.

Quite simply, you get what you pay for and pay for what you get.

A 100% markup is not unusual for radios. For computers, it's much lower
which is why so many computers don't work out of the box. :-(

BTW, at the same time, Ten-Tec announced a US designed and made rig with a
lot more capability and features at a much larger price.

Geoff.


--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson N3OWJ/4X1GM
To help restaurants, as part of the "stimulus package", everyone must order
dessert. As part of the socialized health plan, you are forbidden to eat it. :-)