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