And Kenwood was another maker that sold the 232 interface separately
for it's radios.

I suspect that the decision by all of the radio companies to market it
as an option was mostly an atttempt to keep the initial price as low
and competitive as possible. I think the companies understood that
only a small group of enthusiasts wanted features like a 232 interface,
voice synthesizer or 500hz filter. Adding one or more to all radios
could have pushed the price beyond the competition. While profit is
certainly their motive in selling radios, I don't think they separated
the 232 adaptor solely as a way to eke out more markup.



Mark S. Holden wrote:
Soliloquy wrote:

starman wrote in
:

Why don't most cars come standard with tire chains installed?
Probably
because most people would have no need for them. The Yaesu FRG-100
Pre-
Dates the R-75 by 7 years. The Yaesu FRG-100 was introduced in
1992, the
Icom R-75 in 1999.

Although it seems like computers have been with us forever, their
common
use in terms of being interfaced, by the average Joe, with radios
is a
relatively recent phenomenon.

The Yaesu design apparently goes back 13 years. Look here for a
little
computer history. http://www.computerhope.com/history/19902000.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/win3x.htm

Notice that the release date for Windows 3.1 was also in 1992.
Whoopee,
Windows 3.1, I would guess that those computers had USB ports. No,
why
not? Ah, the evolution of the equipment only produced USB ports in
later
years.

Perhaps this is why the FRG-100, released in 1992, and no doubt
being
designed a few years before that, didn't obsess about converting
the CAT
port to Serial Port levels. I believe that the port was there more
for
the option of Remote Control operation than computer interface.

My point is that obsessions with extras does not necessarily make
for
good equipment. The Yaesu FRG-100 is a solid performer, even
without the
additional features of the Icom R-75. For that matter, is there
anyone
out there with a fully operational Palstar R-30C, in like new
condition,
that they would like to swap for my fully operational R-75, also in
like
new condition?

You can't get any more basic than the Palstar R-30C. But it is also
a
performer. Gone are all of those seductive buttons and knobs,
instead,
the money goes into the quality of the components used throughout.
And
most frightening, I don't even know if it has Computer Control
options,
"Oh the Humanity"!

http://www.palstar.com/r30.php

Soliloquy

matt weber wrote:

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 03:38:39 -0500, starman
wrote:



Soliloquy wrote:

Yes, but why didn't Yaesu implement a proper RS-232 interface
like
most table-top receivers have done in recent years? I guess only
they
can answer that question.

The RS-232 standard was an "established" standard when the FRG-100
was brought
out, and personal computers were popular long before Windows was
introduced.

Odds are they thought they could make more of a profit by selling the
RS-232
adapter as an accessory. Lowe did the same thing.

HJS,
..
The process is called Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA).
..
At the time that these Receivers were made the number
of Buyers that would have been motivated to buy a specific
Receiver just because it had this specific feature 'built-in'
was small. The reduced Cost of the Receiver (Lower Price
Point) by not including this feature and offering it as an
Option for the few that would want it; against the total
number of sales an overall profitability of the product.
..
At least back then; Market Analysis must of identified that
an RS-232 Adapter/Interface was not a Selling Feature that
would motivate most sellers to "Buy" a specific Receiver.
Yes some would... but most would not.
..
Look at a current sample of new Table Top Receivers that
have been offered for sale within the last five years.
How many have a built-in Computer-Interface; and how many
have not. In todays market it may be a Selling Point for
many buyers; and the cost of having one built-in may now
add little to the overall cost of the Receiver at it's
current Price Point.
..
Now consider a sample of new 'portable' AM/FM Shortwave Radios
that have been offered for sale within the last five years.
How many have a built-in Computer-Interface; and how many more
have not. In todays market it still is NOT a Selling Point
for most 'portable' AM/FM Shortwave Radio "Buyers"; and the
cost of having one built-in does Add-to-the-Overall-Cost of
the 'portable' AM/FM Shortwave and drives up it's current
Price Point.
..
At any given time in a Market there is a Balance between:
- The Manufacturing Cost of the Product
+ The Price Point of the Product within the Market
= The Value of the Product as 'perceived' by the Customer
..
jm2cw ~ RHF

I suppose CBA is another way of saying manufacturers construct and
price products in accorance with consumers demands and the actions of
their competitors.