Motorola Buys Yaesu:
from
W1AW Bulletin via the ARRL
on
November 5, 2007
Website:
http://www.arrl.org/
View comments about this article!
Motorola Buys Yaesu:
ZCZC AX07
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 7 ARLX007
>From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT November 5, 2007
To all radio amateurs
SB SPCL ARL ARLX007
ARLX007 Motorola buys Yaesu
Motorola USA has announced its intention to launch a tender offer to
acquire a controlling interest in Vertex Standard Co, Ltd. Vertex
Standard is the parent company of Yaesu. Motorola will own 80
percent of Vertex Standard; Tokogiken, a privately held Japanese
company, controlled by current president and CEO of Vertex Standard
Jun Hasegawa, will retain 20 percent, forming a joint venture. The
total purchase price for 80 percent of the outstanding shares on a
fully diluted basis will be approximately US $108 million.
NNNN
/EX
Source: W1AW Bulletin via the ARRL.
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by N0LOH on November 5, 2007
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I think they might combine all the names of the three companies. Motorola, Vertex, Yaesu.... MOVEYA!
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KE6JZ on November 5, 2007
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This can't be good. Either a substantial amount of "affordable" land mobile products will dissappear from the market to be replaced by expensive "cheapo" radios and/or we will soon be paying $500+ for Yaesu programming software, $150+ for a programming cable, and begging Yaesu to issue us a software licence on a yearly basis for the "priveledge" of purchasing their software ( if we can convince them we are a dealer/service depot).
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by K3AN on November 5, 2007
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So much for "The Radio." In a few years we will be waxing nostalgic about the "good old days" when Yaesu made real radios. Fortunately we still have Icom, Ten-Tec and Elecraft.
Kenwood? To borrow a phrase from the post above, they're already making nothing but expensive cheapo radios. JMHO.
Guess I better start looking for a spare 1000MP. Or maybe there's a K3 in my future.
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by W7AIT on November 5, 2007
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Gawd, does this mean we'll have to HOMEBUILD our radios from now on?
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KB9RQZ on November 5, 2007
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consolodation my by ineveitable but hardly seems to be in order interest
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KC9MAV on November 5, 2007
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Oh my God!!!!!
Now oh.... GOD!!!
IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT!!!!!!!1
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by SSB on November 5, 2007
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Gee, now we have a Jap radio manufacturer that is going to be run by an American company which like all US companies have a long term planning ability of 2 weeks. If sales of hf radios isn't high enough, Motorola will dump it like it did everything else it had over the last 40 years.
Alex....
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by KD2E on November 5, 2007
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Hmmmmm....At one time, such names as Heathkit, Drake, and Swan were squished out by Kenwood, Yaesu, and Icom.
Perhaps now, we will have Elecraft, Ten Tec, and I dunno...Flex Radio??
Funny how things change!!
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by W3JJH on November 5, 2007
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The first question one should ask in analyzing this deal is "what's in it for Motorola?"
Let's look at the value Vertex Standard adds to Motorola. By acquiring Vertex, Motorola gets the third largest manufacturer of rf communications equipment in Japan. They get a company that has a high degree of competence in HF radios. That opens a significantly improved marketing channel for Motorola in Japan and could be a cheap way to expand their expertise in the HF radio market.
And they're geting 80 % of the company for about 40 % of Vertex's annual sales. Not a bad deal.
Also, consider that the number two company in the world-wide two-way radio market is growing at a fast rate and is hot on Motorola's tail. That number two company is Kenwood.
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by K7PEH on November 5, 2007
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I don't think this is good for Yaesu. If I remember correctly, a while back someone at Motorola was bad mouthing ham radio calling amateur radio operators throwbacks to an ancient era or something like that. I wonder if I can find that quote anywhere. I think it was in connection with Motorola's role in a disaster, maybe Katrina, and the Motorola spokesman was talking about their role versus the ham radio operators in dealing with disaster scenarios.
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by WU1T on November 5, 2007
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There is a longer, more detailed article on the ARRL site:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/11/05/100/?nc=1
I doubt there is really anything to worry about here. Yaesu is not going away.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by W6EM on November 5, 2007
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"I don't think this is good for Yaesu. If I remember correctly, a while back someone at Motorola was bad mouthing ham radio calling amateur radio operators throwbacks to an ancient era or something like that. I wonder if I can find that quote anywhere. I think it was in connection with Motorola's role in a disaster, maybe Katrina, and the Motorola spokesman was talking about their role versus the ham radio operators in dealing with disaster scenarios."
Your recollection is/was correct. It was from a Motorola VP, and made with regard to amateur operators. ARRL "appealed" to someone at Mother Batwing and a 'retraction' was issued.
But, the path is somewhat clear. Intent, that is.
// could care less about HF. They gave away their Micom partnership to Mobat, an Israeli company. Micom's are now not from //, even if they still use an // microphone.
Its like Ford's purchase of Volvo. They get to reduce competition and suck the innovation out of the organization and add features to their product names.
Also, in Japan, trade secrets have been historically shared. So, owning Yaesu will give // a leg on Kenwood's land mobile business.
Besides, at the rate the Chinese are stealing // designs and selling them under their own lable, // had to do something.
Will HF Yaesu rigs be a thing of the past? If //'s past behavior is an example, most likely.
73.
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by NY7Q on November 5, 2007
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This is really bad for Yaesu and worse for ham radio.
For more years than I can remember, Motorola has always been mouthy about ham radio.
They forgot that ham radio made them.
It was hams that developed most of everything electronic out there.
I can't believe their attitude is favorable toward ham radio today.
Motorola has excellent products, and services, but they have always been stuffy to deal with.
I have never in my life time purchased their products and if this deal goes through, Yaesu is out of my life.
I will keep the old stuff I have from Yaesu and be happy.
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by N9DG on November 5, 2007
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So I wonder which group of users and/or rabid fans are going to be the most offended/dismayed/betrayed by this acquisition?????
1. Motorola users?
2. Vertex/Yaesu users?
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by K7UNZ on November 5, 2007
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Intending to buy, and buys, are two different things.
Rather misleading banner for something that hasn't yet happened.
Jim/k7unz
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by W3LK on November 5, 2007
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The sky is falling!
The sky is falling!
The sky is falling!
The sky is falling!
The sky is falling!
73,
Lon - W3LK
Naugatuck, Connecticut
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by K0ZN on November 5, 2007
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The statistical odds, based on previous similar events like this are not especially good for Yaesu and especially a small niche line (to Motorola) like Yaesu Amateur Radio equipment. There is no guarantee here, but American companies & executives have a somewhat notorious track record in these kinds of situations. There is a huge difference in corporate cultures and values here. This could work out OK, but history says the negatives will likely prevail.
This will not be good for resale or used equipment value of Yaesu products. I guess if you are a buyer, this will create some good deals....and the opposite for the sellers.
"The only constant is change....."
73, K0ZN
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by WA4KCN on November 5, 2007
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"This is really bad for Yaesu and worse for ham radio.
For more years than I can remember, Motorola has always been mouthy about ham radio."
Vertex Standard generated 192 million in revenues during the last fiscal year. Yaesu's contribution I do not know. Yet this is a small tuck in acquistion for Motorola. Those making decisions at Motorola concerning the yaesu brand will be looking at the numbers and not what their personal thoughts are concerning amateur radio. If the Yaesu brand brings value to Motorola's shareholders it will remain with Motorola. IF not, the amateur division of Vertex will likely be sold to another private concern. In either event the Yaesu brand will most likely survive.
73 Russ
WA4KCN
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by W8ZM on November 5, 2007
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Oh My...Can you visualize the new Motorola FT-9000 Contest rig???? After this only Ten-Tec and Icom remain. Kenwood is already barely breathing.
What happened? Fifteen to twenty years ago these companies were pumping out radios faster than you could imagine. FT-901, 902, 101ZD, FT-1000D, TS-930, 940, 950, IC-761, 765, 781 and on and on. Kenwood hasn't made anything new in HF in 10 years and even Yaesu and Icom soldiered on with older equipment until a few years ago when they came out with the FT-9000 and the IC-7800.
Motorola will be like Rockwell when they bought Collins radio. Make the commercial stuff that sells, forget the ham radio market. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks to me that it sucks to be Yaesu right now.....
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RE: Motorola Submerges Yaesu:
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by W6EM on November 5, 2007
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"..... In either event the Yaesu brand will most likely survive."
If, and only if, the Vertex chaiman who will own the 20%, is going to be willing to take Yaesu back as "loose change."
Motorola's past behavior has displayed angst toward hams. Did // ever make amateur radio gear? Uh, no. Oh, but they did make a CB rig and a CB SWR/power meter for a very short time, thanks to Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason (Smokey and the Bandit).
With the graying of the amateur population comes more reluctance to fork out several thousand dollars apiece for new radios. Face it, folks, amateur HF gear is not a growth market, even with the elimination of the code requirement.
To even a casual observer, this is/was a move made solely to reduce the competition in the land mobile business. Plain and simple. With the advent of open digital protols like APCO 25, there are lots of choices for public safety radio buyers. //other Batwing just eliminated one of those choices.
But, the Chinese won't be still, either. Look for them to start marketing land mobile gear in the US. If // hadn't been making all of their gear in China for the last 10 years, they'd have less to worry about.
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Least Of Motorola's Problems
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by K7LA on November 5, 2007
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I wouldn't count on radical changes at Yaesu anytime soon.
Motorola has a big problem on its hands, in the form of billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn who has been pounding on the senior management staff to make needed changes to enhance shareholder value.
Every top manager at Motorola from the CEO on down is trying to figure out ways to sidestep Icahn and keep their overpaid jobs, since the stock has been dead flat for a long period.
Stay tuned.
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RE: Motorola Submerges Yaesu:
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by WA4KCN on November 5, 2007
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"With the graying of the amateur population comes more reluctance to fork out several thousand dollars apiece for new radios. Face it, folks, amateur HF gear is not a growth market, even with the elimination of the code requirement."
This is certainly true. Despite advances in HF equipment amateur radio remains primarily focused on old fashion short wave radio. Amateur radio is representative of perhaps anything but a growth market. Yet Motorola's expectations for the amateur radio market are not likely to be one of growth. It could be they are looking for a company that can provide a steady reliable stream of cash rather than revenue growth. There is too much we dont know since financial statements on the Yaesu business unit are not published. If Yaesu is a financial looser, you can bet Motorola will quickly search for a buyer.
73 Russ
WA4KCN
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by KB4TPP on November 6, 2007
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Easy to see why Ed Zander wants Vertex Standard, Motorola has wanted to get out of the business of making low and mid tier subscriber radios for quite some time now, and concentrate on selling large systems (such as Astro 25 SmartZone OmniLink, iDEN, etc) to high end public safety and government customers. That is where all the homeland security money gets spent.
The Waris and Pro series junk will soon be replaced by Vertex gear. You can rest assured the amateur division will most likely cease to exist, it is the least profitable of V-S and most Japanese companies. What do you think they make more profit off of? Selling a handful of low priced HT's and HF rigs to hams or thousands of 500-700 dollar public safety and business users who also buy tons of accessories? Ham radio isn't profitable, and it will give Motorola a real chance to take a crap on ham radio, more so than there comments in that WSJ article post Katrina.
So enjoy your Yaesu's while they still exist, once Schanumberg takes over, you can rest assured the Yaesu product line will be phased out. It's all about profit, and ham radios don't provide the immense profit land mobile and cop radios do.
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by KB4TPP on November 6, 2007
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GE sold their two-way radio division off in 1989 to Ericsson. Then it became Comnet Ericsson which later was purchased by M/A-Com who is owned by Tyco international.
General Electric> Ericsson > Comnet Ericsson Critical Radio Systems > M/A-Com (present)
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RE: Motorola Submerges Yaesu:
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by NN4RH on November 6, 2007
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From the ARRL news story on this:
"According to Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, Yaesu's Executive Vice President for Amateur Radio Sales in North America, "I thought that the happiest and proudest day of my 45-plus years in Amateur Radio was when I was offered the opportunity to lead the Yaesu North American sales effort; however, being able to now announce this news to my fellow Amateur Radio operators takes over as the top life thrill for me! I am certain the good fortune that put me in this leadership chair at Yaesu now promises opportunities for me to do more for the technological future of Amateur Radio than I ever dreamed possible. I do not pretend to know the full extent of the positive impact this Motorola/Vertex Standard business arrangement will have on Amateur Radio -- I just know it is going to be terrific for all of us who love Amateur Radio for its public service and entertainment value, as well as its potential for us to make lifelong friendships in our neighborhoods and around the world."
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by W6EM on November 6, 2007
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"...however, being able to now announce this news to my fellow Amateur Radio operators takes over as the top life thrill for me!"
Sounds as if the man has a golden parachute. And, he sees it unfurling soon.
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RE: Motorola Submerges Yaesu:
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by W6EM on November 6, 2007
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"Easy to see why Ed Zander wants Vertex Standard, Motorola has wanted to get out of the business of making low and mid tier subscriber radios for quite some time now, and concentrate on selling large systems (such as Astro 25 SmartZone OmniLink, iDEN, etc) to high end public safety and government customers. That is where all the homeland security money gets spent."
Yes, selling surplus cellular technology that will result in a crippled public safety infrastructure following disasters apparently isn't good enough for them. Now, they have an opportunity to kill off one source of those ham radio HTs that were an interoperability solution post-Katrina, when the trunked-junk fell flat on its face. Including the truck load of 700MHz junk // sent wheeling down there.
At least some public safety agencies still have enough smarts to know better than to listen to the sales hype and take the "free government DOHS 700MHz radio money."
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RE: Motorola Submerges Yaesu:
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by K4RAF on November 6, 2007
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This is a sad day for AFFORDABLE, CLONABLE radio equipment...
They will do for Yaesu what they have done for Orthegon, lower quality with chinese pick & place "reliability" while jacking up the price 2-3 times what it was before.
Then there is the RSS software marxism!
If they can't beat them, fair & square in the market, buy them out!
The same is to be said of Cisco who did the same for Linksys & so many other product lines...
Damn shame but we can hope Yaesu will refuse their "offer"?
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu - What now?
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by W9WHE-II on November 6, 2007
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Q: WHAT IS IN IT FOR MOTOROLA?
A: Motorola gets to offer a "low cost" solution in price sensitive deals where price is more important then quality.
Q: WHAT IS IN IT FOR HAM RADIO:
A: Yaesu Quality will probably increase. An VX-6 will probably not drift 1KC as you use it.
A: Yaesu will have access to Motorola's quality initives.
A: Ham support will probably remain unchanged.
Q: WHAT IS IN IT FOR YAESU?
a: Money.
Q: WHAT ABOUT ICOM?
A: Look for Icom to get gobbled up by a Motorola competitor, say M/A Comm, who will then ditch D-star.
Q: WHAT ABOUT KENWOOD?
A: Kenwood could also be a candidate for sale to a Motorola competitor, if the parent wants out of the ham business. And given the amount of R/D and new products, seems likely.
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by K1DA on November 6, 2007
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Been using some Kenwood TK commecial radios on 6, 2, and 440, - they make fine repeaters as well. I think this is a typical case of "can't beat 'em, buy 'em". Remember when EMAC killed Penta Labs, perhaps the best glass power tube company in the world?
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by W9WHE-II on November 6, 2007
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PREDICTION: Expect M/A comm to buy Kenwood or Icom. (You gotta know that M/A comm executives are meeting today to plan their competitive response.
Any way you look at it, the quality and level of advanced technology in ham equipment is likely to go up.
W9WHE
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by W9WHE-II on November 6, 2007
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From Motorola's website:
"SCHAUMBURG, Ill. and TOKYO, JAPAN 5 November 2007 -- Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced today that its subsidiary, MI, Inc., will launch a tender offer to acquire a controlling interest in Vertex Standard Co., Ltd. (JASDAQ: 6821), a global provider of 2-way radio communication solutions. Upon successful completion of the tender offer and subsequent restructuring process, Motorola will own 80% of Vertex Standard and Tokogiken, a privately held Japanese company, controlled by Jun Hasegawa, current president and CEO of Vertex Standard, will retain 20%, forming a joint venture. On 5 November 2007, the Board of Directors of Vertex Standard expressed their support of the tender offer.
“As a leading provider and pioneer in 2-way radio communication solutions, Motorola is an excellent strategic partner for our business,” said Jun Hasegawa, president and CEO of Vertex Standard. “The joint venture will give Vertex Standard access to Motorola’s global distribution channels, presenting considerable opportunities for Vertex Standard to drive growth. We also expect to reduce costs, as we will benefit from Motorola’s global scale and resources. With Motorola, Vertex Standard will be stronger and better positioned to deliver new and innovative 2-way radio solutions for professionals and consumers around the world.”
“This joint venture will enable Motorola and Vertex Standard to deliver an enhanced combined product offering to new regions and customers worldwide,” said Mark Moon, senior vice president of Motorola’s Government and Commercial Markets. “We are extremely pleased to announce this transaction, which will improve our ability to address the growing needs of our 2-way radio customers worldwide. We look forward to the continued leadership of Jun Hasegawa and making this new joint venture a success.”
The tender offer price is ¥2,214 (approximately US $19.38) per share of common stock. This price represents:
A premium of 38.4% over 1600 yen, the closing price of Vertex Standard’s shares on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange, Inc. on 2 November 2007
A premium of 40.8% over 1573 yen, the average closing price of Vertex Standard’s shares on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange, Inc. over the last three months to 2 November 2007
The total purchase price for 80% of the outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis will be approximately ¥12.3 billion (approximately US $108 million).
Vertex Standard is a leader within the Land Mobile Radio segment, where the company continues to demonstrate particular brand strength in high value, entry level solutions. The joint venture will develop and sell Vertex Standard branded products and develop select Motorola branded products. The Motorola brand will continue to focus on higher featured, higher tier products and continue to utilize existing Motorola distribution channels.
The joint venture will expand and develop a comprehensive suite of products to address the rapidly growing demand for 2-way radio solutions. Vertex Standard’s strength in the Amateur, Marine and Airband (Avionics) segments will also provide Motorola with access to new business opportunities. In addition, Vertex Standard’s solutions are highly complementary with Motorola’s products and will add greater depth and breadth to Motorola’s Government and Public Safety business. The venture will also provide additional engineering talent for Motorola.
Additional Transaction Details
Upon successful completion of the tender offer and subsequent planned restructuring, Vertex Standard will be de-listed from the JASDAQ. The joint venture company will continue to be called “Vertex Standard Co., Ltd” and will become a subsidiary of Motorola, with headquarters in Tokyo.
The shareholders of Vertex Standard who do not tender their shares in the tender offer will receive cash consideration for the shares which they hold as a result of the restructuring following successful completion of the tender offer.
The tender offer, which is subject to regulatory and other customary conditions, is expected to close in early January 2008. In addition, Motorola must complete the tender offer within 60 working days of its commencement, as required by Japanese law.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.8 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com.
About Vertex Standard
Vertex Standard Co. Ltd is a company primarily engaged in radio communication products for land, marine, airband, and amateur Since the company was incorporated in 1956, Vertex Standard has become a global two-way radio manufacturer with advanced technologies. With customer satisfaction as its number one priority, the company has supplied products that meet the changing demands of the 2-way radio communications market. Sales for the fiscal year-ending March 2007 were approximately 21,983,000,000 yen. Details for Vertex Standard are available at http://www.vxstd.com/jp/.
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by W6EM on November 6, 2007
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"PREDICTION: Expect M/A comm to buy Kenwood or Icom. (You gotta know that M/A comm executives are meeting today to plan their competitive response."
Really? Nah. Tyco's got enough to worry about. After all, they need to worry about single point failure prone trunked systems, like the one that left New Orleans dead after Katrina.
Besides, who's ever heard of Merger and Acquisition comm? Or is it just another dot com?
GE divests itself of businesses that are not top one or two in respective industries. Little wonder why the Lynchburg operation was sold to Ericsson.
Actually, Jonathan, the Chinese will be the new competition anyway. They already clone // gear as soon as the new models are manufactured over there. And, probably the others (K, Y, and I) too. You can find most of them on eBay labelled with Kenwood and Motorola compatibility descriptions.
But, no "steamer trunks" though. APCO chipsets aren't all that available over there I suppose.
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RE: Motorola Submerges Yaesu:
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by W6EM on November 6, 2007
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WHE says "A: Yaesu will have access to Motorola's quality initives."
Yeah, like your spell checker. :-)
What quality initives you talking about, Jonathan? The Chinese ISO 9000 equivalent copy cat mask? // sets up factories in China to build their stuff, and the Chinese set up factories to copy what // brings to them. Har har har.
Now, the Chinese will be copying Yaehoo too, at warp speed. Look for the soon to be marketed Yowloon YT-2000.
Dos vidonya.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu & will improve quality
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by W9WHE-II on November 6, 2007
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W6EM writes:
"What [Motorola] quality initives you talking about, Jonathan?"
Lee, if you can't tell the difference in quality between a Yaesu and Motorola HT, I feel very, sorry for you. Since you appearantly can't tell the difference, please permit me to point out a few items:
1) Put a VX-6 on a frequency counter, key it up and watch the frequency drop up to 1KC as it heats up.
2) Take a look at all the worn-off lettering on a Yeasu HT VX-6 keypads.
3) Take a VX-6 to a large city and listern to the intermod.
4) Ask a daily user how long it takes to "wear out" a Yaesu HT.
5) Listen to how long it takes for a Yaesu HT in PL RX to "open".
6) Ask Yaesu owners how many times they have sent a radio back to Yaesu for a QA problem to be fixed/modified.
W9WHE
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu & will improve quality
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by W6EM on November 6, 2007
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WHE:"Lee, if you can't tell the difference in quality between a Yaesu and Motorola HT, I feel very, sorry for you."
Yes, Jonathan, I can tell the difference. What // sells in the US requires very expensive software to program. Then, all one can do is select the channel number on the keyboard.
Now, IF you were to acquire a GP-68, JT-338, or even a JT-1000 keyboard frequency programmable radio, // will go after you since "these radios are made for export only and can't be used in the US."
BS. Sure. As amateurs, we don't have to adhere to Part 90 requirements. Only Part 15 certifications apply.
And still, // says NO to HAMS and has for many years. Since the antique, one-and-only ham product, the Metrum II 2M crystal set back in the '70s.
That's the difference, Jonathan. I can own a Yaesu HT that is keyboard programmable and not have to worry that if I call Yaesu for parts or service that someone won't threaten me or perhaps even try to confiscate my radio. They're both probably made in China, too.
So, every time you travel, do you take your Motorola Astro Spectra down to the local Motorola shop and for $50 have them add the repeaters you want where you're going so you can roll through your Zones and Modes and find what you want conveniently?
New, innovative amateur products? Only from the Chinese, Jonathan, not from //. They just want to control/constrain the competition in the land mobile business. Of course, the FTC won't know what's going on unless and until the SEC tells them about the plan.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by W8JJI on November 6, 2007
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Motosu!
Now we can expect a new line of HF, VHF, UHF radio equipment without a squelch knob and absolutly no signal strength indicator of any kind.
As far as kenwood goes, I feel that they are already HF HISTORY.
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W6EM POSTS FALSE & MISLEADING INFORMATION
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by W9WHE-II on November 6, 2007
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W6EM writes:
".....I can tell the difference. What // sells in the US requires very expensive software to program. Then, all one can do is select the channel number on the keyboard".
WRONG AGAIN.
Lee, again you are out of touch and just plain WRONG. You CAN program T&R FREQUENCY, PL/DPL/MDC/ID, analog/digital/mixed mode all from the front keypad in Motorola radios. ONCE AGAIN, you post FALSE and MISLEADING information.
GP68, JT1000, & XTS5000 are ALL KEYPAD PROGRAMMABLE.
PLEASE STOP PROPIGATING MISLEADING AND FALSE INFORMATION.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by W9WHE-II on November 6, 2007
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W8JJI writes:
"Now we can expect a new line of HF, VHF, UHF radio equipment without a squelch knob and absolutly no signal strength indicator of any kind"
And wouldn't "dumbing down" the radios be in line with "dumbing down" the standards for getting a ham license? Why is it OK to dumb down the standards, but not "dumb down" the equipment?
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KF9Z on November 6, 2007
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I guess Jon and I are the only two who think this might be a good thing? Motorola has been making ultra-high quality equipment for 30-years or more. Yaesu has had some quality issues in the recent past including the VX-6R, FT-1000MP Mk. V and Mk. V field, FT-2000 and several other colossal failures such as the FT-7100 (which I owned) and the FT-90R (which I own and use every day in my Dodge).
Motorola is not evil and proprietary and some might think. They are a company who designs extremely high-quality equipment that is geared for the public-service segment and those who demand the best in mission critical applications. Ham radio is NOT mission critical despite what other may think - but maybe the amateur division will adopt some of Motorola's design/manufacture quality and philosophy.
Yes, Motorola does charge a fair amount for software and programming...but that is the commercial division. In order to comply with FCC certification and other FCC requirement the radio cannot be easily programmed by the end-user for obvious reasons...they do not want the average hack or end-user changing the way the radio operates - be it frequencies or power output or even modes. Why does that not make sense to the average ham? It is COMMERCIAL GEAR that happens to work on the amateur frequencies. I use Motorola gear every day and I like it for what it is...it is like my Mac. You turn it on and it works. Yes it can be a little esoteric and somewhat quirky to set-up but in the end it is far easier and more reliable as a result.
I think the acquisition is a good thing for Motorola. I think as long as the amateur division continues to make money (however small that may be) it will stay a part of the new Motorola owner Vertex Standard. It would be a good place to experiment with design ideas and even new products without taxing the commercial, government or even cellular division. Think of it as a proving ground for new engineers and/or ideas.
Time will tell...maybe it will be a bad thing, who knows? You do not know any more than I do but I think it has the ability to boost amateur quality and open ham radio up to commercial standard and open source protocols like P.25 and other commercial quality standards. I hope the amateur community will not dismiss this acquisition out of hand only because of Motorola. That would be irrational and only serve to propagate the idea that hams are old codgers unwilling to embrace change in any capacity.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KC0KP on November 6, 2007
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>-guess Jon and I are the only two who think this might be a good thing? Motorola has been making ultra-high quality equipment for 30-years or more.
I have to agree with KF9Z.
There is a chance that they will let the amateur end live on. But if you see Moto trying to change the distribution channel for Yaesu, it will be the beginning of the end, not enough profit to oil Motos distribution network.
And the claim that Motorola never made amateur gear is false. They made a crystal controlled narrow band FM radio for two meters for a short while in the 70s. Hams stayed away in droves, end of project.
We are a niche market. But we are, in deed, a market. Nature abhors a vacuum and if Moto junks Vertex amateur radio, someone will come along.
Have a little faith, folks.
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by WA2JJH on November 6, 2007
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HORRIBLE NEWS INDEED! On the other hand Motorola makes DSP chips that are in mil. spec radio's.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by WA2JJH on November 6, 2007
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Motorolas keypad programable GP-68 is built like garbage. The GP-68 was intended to be a commercial radio. It did not make specs.
Some GP-68's, you have to clip out a diode to make it keypad program. THE GP-68 is NOT TYPE ACCEPTED.
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by KE4MOB on November 6, 2007
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"Nature abhors a vacuum"
How right you are. If there is a market, then so be it. If there is not, then it's been a pleasure to do business with you. The names who have come (and gone) in ham radio:
Hallicrafters
Collins
National
Drake
Heathkit
Drake (again)
Kachina
and a host of others I can't remember.
Looking to the future, where does the road lead for the average manufacturer? It seems like that the likes of MFJ-one-name-has-it-all is pretty secure. As well as any 2M/440 offerings from any company.
However, the face of HF is slowly changing. DSP is commonplace, whereas 10 years ago it was a premium offering. "All bands in a box" is pretty much standard as well. 10 years ago HF+6 was just breaking onto the scene.
I suspect going forward most hams who remember the great boat anchors with knobs, switches, real meters, and lights will pass on and the next generation of ham radio operators will be one that was raised entirely on the computer--the internet generation will takeover. This will lead to a major manufacturer successfully marketing a "black box" radio as their primary HF rig. And then open source SDR will make huge inroads at the same time as the stigma of "black boxes" not being "real radio" fades away. Fewer radios will be sold due to open source upgrades.
For these reasons, going forward 15 years, I don't see a single one of the big 3 continuing to support the amateur market. I suspect that the MFJs, Ten-Tecs and Elecrafts of the world will keep us supplied in HF gear for the next century...niche companies in a niche market.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by N9XCR on November 6, 2007
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The term "Corporate Greed" comes to mind. Just watch...the executives at Motorola will get HUGE bonuses for such an "accomplishment". That will be after they lay off a bunch of people and do budget-cuts. :)
Chris
N9XCR
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by WA6BJH on November 6, 2007
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I'm concerned because I use Yaesu equipment and I don't know what's going to happen with Yaesu. I know for sure, however, that there's not much I can do about it, so I may as well go along for the ride.
What does Motorola want with Vertex? They wanted a good deal and I believe that they got one. $105 million is almost chump change in the corporate takeover business. I believe what they want, though, is the innovation that comes with Japanese companies. American companies are simply not capable of innovation. D-Star, regardless of what you think of it, is innovation of the kind that ham radio needs. It came from Japan, not from a big American company like Motorola. I own a VX-170 and 177. They have neat features like ARTS. I don't know if anyone actually uses ARTS, but that's innovation. It helps sell radios, and if you're Yaesu or Motorola or anyone else, that's the name of the game.
Motorola may be discovering what WalMart already knows: The wealth of the poor. Because there are so many of the poor, you can make a huge pile of money if you sell to people who don't have much money. Motorola sells expensive radios, but there's a huge market for inexpensive radios, as Vertex knows.
I'm in a wait-and-see mode. It's true that Motorola doesn't care about ham radio and it's true that Vertex seems to. As many people have pointed out, it's bottom line.
Perhaps this will be the start of some consolidation in the communications business.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by K7BV on November 6, 2007
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Exciting times, huh?! Clearly, many of you have read up – some paying more attention to the facts and details than others - on the news that Vertex Standard Co., Ltd, (Vertex Standard USA’s parent company) announced that they have agreed to form a collaborative joint venture with Motorola, Inc. I personally believe the most important words in this sentence are “collaborative joint venture” – a business relationship that indicates a far different outcome intent than the demise of one of the venture partners.
Since Yaesu is the Amateur Radio Division of Vertex Standard, I am sure you all are just as curious as me, a Yaesu employee with a job at stake (without a golden parachute), to know what this business transaction will mean to all of us in the hobby. Predictably, I see that the news about the pending new Motorola relationship with Vertex Standard, hence Yaesu, is giving life to all sorts of misinformation and “doomsday” Internet postings by the usual cast of characters who always seem to know so much more about things than the rest of us mere mortals. After studying public announcements and considering the internal information that is made available to me in my role as the leadership individual for North American sales at Yaesu, I would like to offer the following FACTS about this exciting development.
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) will launch a tender offer to acquire a controlling interest in Vertex Standard Co., Ltd. (JASDAQ: 6821). Upon successful completion of the tender offer and subsequent restructuring process, Motorola will own 80% of Vertex Standard and Toko Giken, a privately held Japanese company, controlled by Jun Hasegawa, current president and CEO of Vertex Standard, will retain 20%, forming a joint venture. On 5 November 2007, the Board of Directors of Vertex Standard expressed their support of the tender offer. Yaesu, of course, as one of the Vertex Standard operations, will be included in this exciting development.
I want everyone to know the following about the proposed merger:
• Vertex Standard (meaning Yaesu to us in the Amateur Radio hobby) will remain a separate, global organization with distinct resources governed by the Board of Directors comprised of four Motorola representatives and one Toko Giken representative. Toko Giken is a privately held Japanese company, controlled by the founder’s family. It currently holds 29.2% shares of Vertex Standard.
• Mr. Jun Hasegawa (my boss), son of Mr. Sako Hasegawa JA1MP - the founder of Yaesu, will continue to take part in the management of Vertex Standard in his capacity as the Representative Director, President and CEO of Vertex Standard after the Tender Offer. The day-to-day management of the joint venture will be the responsibility of Mr. Hasegawa and his senior leadership team, who are also expected to continue. Count me as one of those who will continue with Yaesu.
• Our business will continue to be operated as is, and we will continue to actively develop new products and operate the business as a leading manufacturer of amateur radio, marine, land mobile, and airband radios.
• The Vertex Standard brand of equipment (Standard brand in Japan) will continue to exist. The current Vertex Standard brand strategies are highly respected by Motorola and will be continued. Since Motorola appreciates our Yaesu brand strategy, there will be no change to it.
• There will NOT be a Motorola brand of Amateur Radio equipment replacing or competing with Yaesu.
• Yaesu customers can expect to see positive benefit from the fact that:
1. Vertex Standard has an experienced engineering team that, combined with Motorola’s extensive engineering talent, will develop new innovative products. Personally, I cannot wait to see what this joint engineering effort will bring to Amateur Radio!
2. Cost synergies will be realized through the use of Motorola’s buying power to reduce the joint venture’s costs for raw materials. Hams are known to enjoy seeking out the best buy for their hard earned money – expect to see Yaesu products remain highly competitive and providing excellent value for your investment.
• Because Mr. Hasegawa will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of Vertex Standard, we do not expect to see changes in the existing Yaesu dealership, pricing and warranty commitments and philosophies as a result of the joint venture.
These are historic exciting times for Yaesu, our customers, and Amateur Radio. The future is bright and the potential for incredible technological advancements for Amateur Radio are immense. I hope you folks will be there with us as the positive affects of the Vertex Standard / Motorola joint venture unfolds.
73,
Dennis Motschenbacher K7BV
k7bv@vxstdusa.com
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KC6SOR on November 6, 2007
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Wasn't it Motorola who came up with a workable and different BPL system? Maybe this merger will realize some new and workable ideas for amateur radio.
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by WB9YCJ on November 6, 2007
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Thanks for posting Dennis, we were getting tired of the "scripts".
Ken,
WB9YCJ
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by N7UQA on November 7, 2007
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KC6SOR said:
“Wasn't it Motorola who came up with a workable and different BPL system? Maybe this merger will realize some new and workable ideas for amateur radio.”
You sir get a cupie doll.
W9WHE said:
W6EM writes:
"What [Motorola] quality initives you talking about, Jonathan?"
Lee, if you can't tell the difference in quality between a Yaesu and Motorola HT, I feel very, sorry for you. Since you appearantly can't tell the difference, please permit me to point out a few items:
1) Put a VX-6 on a frequency counter, key it up and watch the frequency drop up to 1KC as it heats up.
2) Take a look at all the worn-off lettering on a Yeasu HT VX-6 keypads.
3) Take a VX-6 to a large city and listern to the intermod.
4) Ask a daily user how long it takes to "wear out" a Yaesu HT.
5) Listen to how long it takes for a Yaesu HT in PL RX to "open".
6) Ask Yaesu owners how many times they have sent a radio back to Yaesu for a QA problem to be fixed/modified.
W9WHE
Holy crap Jonathan, I actually agree with you! It seems that there are very few of us that can see a silver lining in this acquisition. Motorola did make a HF radio, but I believe it really wasn't intended for the amateur market. It's refreshing to see an 'American' company acquiring controlling stocks in a Japanese company for once. The only Yaesu radio I currently own is a FT-227RA memorizer, it's 30 years old and STILL works great!
Craig - N7UQA
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RE: W6EM POSTS FALSE & MISLEADING INFORMATION
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by W6EM on November 7, 2007
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WHE Writes:"Lee, again you are out of touch and just plain WRONG. You CAN program T&R FREQUENCY, PL/DPL/MDC/ID, analog/digital/mixed mode all from the front keypad in Motorola radios. ONCE AGAIN, you post FALSE and MISLEADING information."
Jonathan, Part 90 of FCC regulations require that two way radios licensed and type-accepted under its provisions may NOT be keyboard frequency programmable. The keyboard may be used for entering channel numbers and other functions, but not to enter a unique frequency in MHz, kHz or anything not predetermined by a radio technician.
Government radios do not have to meet Part 90, or anything the FCC prescribes since they are governed by the NTIA. The Coast Guard, in fact, used Motorola gear that I'm familiar with in some of their water craft. And, you know, as well as I, that either a 50W or 110W radio is NOT allowed under Part 80 FCC marine radio regulations on a small boat. Maximum power is limited to 25 Watts.
WHE also blathers: "GP68, JT1000, & XTS5000 are ALL KEYPAD PROGRAMMABLE.
PLEASE STOP PROPIGATING MISLEADING AND FALSE INFORMATION."
I think you didn't read my example correctly, Jonathan. I said that those radios ARE programmable from the front keypad. I don't know the XTS5000, so it must have a "key" of some sort, but if it comes that way out of the box so that any operator can program in a frequency, well, I can guarantee you it doesn't meet Part 90.
The others don't meet Part 90 either, and aren't type accepted for commercial use.
The point I was trying to make (and you didn't get it, as usual) was that Motorola wanted to "go after" anyone who even possessed one of the models I mentioned, including the GP-68 and the JT-338, as testimonials from others who have purchased them from eBay sources.
So, *why* does/did // go after someone who isn't required to use Part 90 type accepted radios? Because, in some circles, they just don't want anyone in the US possessing those radios. Period. Hams or otherwise.
Ham equipment has to pass Part 15 inspection/certification, not Part 90. So, if the device of whoever's manufacture has passed the FCC Part 15 certification, its OK for a ham to use it, provided we operate same solely on our permitted frequencies, power levels and modes (not to be confused with //'s "creative" use of the term to mean channels).
The behavior of // in that regard was repugnant. Sorry, but, it clearly was, IMO. All they would have had to have done is place a notice in the box, or, have gone to the perhaps simple measure of limiting keyboard frequency limits to 144 to 147.999 MHz in the firmware.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KE4MOB on November 7, 2007
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K7BV wrote:
"I personally believe the most important words in this sentence are “collaborative joint venture” – a business relationship that indicates a far different outcome intent than the demise of one of the venture partners."
Oh man, I feel for you. I've been through two of these things...always on side of the smaller company. Luckily, I have survived.
The language in the press release you provided is waaay too familiar. Give the company being taken over token representation on the board. Say nothing is going to change. Here's what really happens:
*Expect 6 to 12 months when Motorola learns Vertex's business model and core processes.
*Employee evaluations based on salary, talent level, and position within the company.
*And then it's pretty simple: absorb everything that benefits the greater whole. Dump everything that doesn't.
Actually, the amateur division might just be alright. Moto doesn't have any exposure in this area.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by W6EM on November 7, 2007
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K7BV, Dennis writes::"These are historic exciting times for Yaesu, our customers, and Amateur Radio. The future is bright and the potential for incredible technological advancements for Amateur Radio are immense. I hope you folks will be there with us as the positive affects of the Vertex Standard / Motorola joint venture unfolds."
Yes, Dennis, historic times indeed. Good to know that the creators of Yaesu/Vertex Standard will have a continuing strong presence in the management of the joint venture.
Motorola, IMO, has made some disastrous management decisions including the sale of its semiconductor design and manufacturing operations. The core to many radios, including some of Yaesu's first, were // semiconductors. True in my old FT-227R and many others, I'm sure.
Motorola has become essentially a cell phone company, spinning off some of that to various trunked junk (IMO) radio concepts. I am not a fan of trunked public safety applications, based upon some rather large scale single point failure examples that have cost lives. Post-Katrina, for one. And, it wasn't a Motorola trunked system, but the concept/vulnerabilities are the same.
Perhaps, indeed, it has seen the light in jettisoning its talent in RF applications, except the aforementioned above. Strong lobbyist selling of trunked radio systems has been met with strong opposition from many public safety agencies that know better. That have wide area coverage issues and mountainous terrain to operate in. The costs to duplicate existing VHF and even some UHF systems with trunker configurations would be exhorbitant.
So, its in a way refreshing to see the published intent to utilize Vertex/Standard's engineering expertise to solidify conventional land mobile product development.
The comments made by some of us display real concern. Concern that, in the process, Motorola will "dumb down" product features such as no squelch knob or forcing two or three keypad operations to access squelch levels as is the case with some Motorola products.
It is crystal clear to us, Dennis, that Motorola has ZERO interest in HF technology. They dumped off their Micom HF division to Mobat, an Israeli company, several years ago. Oh, Mobat still uses // microphones, so it looks a little strange, but, they aren't Motorola radios. So, with that mindset, is it any wonder that some of us are suspicious of Motorola's intentions? Hopefully, based upon what you've shared, the Yaesu amateur line of products will survive this and prosper, whether Motorola wants them to or not. I don't expect any "Motorola innovation" to be added in HF technology, though. They've dumped all of that. Perhaps, they might be thinking "we erred" but somehow, I doubt it.
Having myself been a victim of "re-engineering" by incompetent MBAs and LLBs, the product of such combinations can be positive or negative. In the case of most competition-limiting combinations, the customer has fewer choices in the end. And, its done supposedly to "reduce costs and improve efficiency" by eliminating duplication. The intended result is to be beneficial to the corporate bottom line, not the customer.
We'll just have to see how this shakes out. My apologies for my "golden parachute" remark.
Best 73,
Lee
W6EM/4
Leeds, AL
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by K6MGK on November 7, 2007
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Thanks for the informative posting Dennis..
all well said..
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by KC8WRQ on November 7, 2007
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KE4MOB wrote:
"K7BV wrote:
"I personally believe the most important words in this sentence are “collaborative joint venture” – a business relationship that indicates a far different outcome intent than the demise of one of the venture partners."
Oh man, I feel for you. I've been through two of these things...always on side of the smaller company. Luckily, I have survived.
The language in the press release you provided is waaay too familiar. Give the company being taken over token representation on the board. Say nothing is going to change. Here's what really happens:
*Expect 6 to 12 months when Motorola learns Vertex's business model and core processes.
*Employee evaluations based on salary, talent level, and position within the company.
*And then it's pretty simple: absorb everything that benefits the greater whole. Dump everything that doesn't...."
You certainly understand how this works, MOB. “Collaborative joint venture” is a corporate line. It is a term designed to keep employees of the "booty ship" (in this case, Yaesu) complacent while the management of the "plundering ship" (in this case, //) does this "learning and evaluation." Then it's off to the planks for what (who) is no longer needed once the knowledge, innovation, and R&D has been leeched....err..."learned." If anyone has trouble with the concept, I bet there's some very detailed storyboards in a Moto conference room somewhere with the outline above on them, give or take minor variables. Good luck actually getting to see them, though.
It's a hard lesson when you're involved, but not every acquisition goes that way. I truly hope it doesn't go down that way here. Only Moto knows Moto's intentions, and only time will unveil those intentions to the rest of us...regardless of how much speculating happens on the outside.
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by W6EM on November 7, 2007
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Perhaps the SEC and the FTC should look into the purchase plan in view of the potential anticompetitive effects on the land mobile business in the US, and possibly, worldwide.
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RE: Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by K6GEP on November 7, 2007
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This deal should have no problem getting FTC approval.
I have seen a deal approved where a foreign company
with 80% market share was able to buy out an American
company in the same business.
Here is my prediction:
After about 1 or 2 years, Motorola will spin off the
Yaesu amateur radio division. Maybe Jun Hasegawa and
that Toko Giken family will buy it back for $15 million
or so.
Then I think we will be back where we started.
IMHO, Carl Icahn is a human wrecking ball. He did
wonders for TWA!
Tim K6GEP
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by W6EM on November 7, 2007
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"Here is my prediction:
After about 1 or 2 years, Motorola will spin off the
Yaesu amateur radio division. Maybe Jun Hasegawa and
that Toko Giken family will buy it back for $15 million or so."
Absolutely predictable!!! Or, someone really innovative and a *savior* of US amateur names like Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, will step up to the plate. I'll bet Martin's already thinking about it..... And, will call on the principals before too long.
And, you know what he'd do with Yaesu? Move the whole kit and kaboodle to Starkville, MS. Go, Martin!!!
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by WA2JJH on November 8, 2007
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Looks like a good time to liquidate my MOTOROLA stock.
Yes Carl ICON is a 21 century "Robber Barron" TWA is a perfect example of 1980's greed and anti-labor stance
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by 9H1BH on November 9, 2007
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Believe it or not I HAVE read all the above posts. Some are praiseworthy, others less so !
But let it be known, that about 35 years ago I attended a Distributor Seminar organised by a leading manufacturer in the USA and the President started the meeting with these EXACT words: The best competitor is a DEAD competitor -- KILL YOUR COMPETITION !
Having been a radio ham and in business for longer than I care to remember I have introduced great names to Europe like, Swan and Yaesu just to mention two.
The statement issued by Mr. Jun Hasegawa looks like 'run of the mill' but to me it is sort of good enough ALTHOUGH one has to remember that there will be FOUR Motorola representatives on the board of Directors and ONLY ONE Mr. Hasegawa !
Let us ALL hope for the best for everyone.
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by K1DA on November 9, 2007
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I DO like the way Canada stuck it up Moto's nose on the sofware programmable radios they sold to the Canadian railroad system. Moto wanted them to pay extra for the "100 watt" SOFTWARE and a railroad tech figured out how to get the radios they bought to do the 100 watts without it. HA! Moto sued and LOST.
MOTO, BTW (as part of theur built in cost structure)
trashed good radios they took in trade because they didn't want to compete with themselves!
They also sold several repeater systems locally on the assumption of: win the bid, then make them pay for the upgrades to make the system work later, if they complain tell 'em they it was their bidding process which was at fault. (These, BTW, were police radio systems, Moto knew exactly what gear ought to have been in there.)
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by K1XV on November 9, 2007
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I agree with the view that eventually, Motorola will spin off Yaesu's amateur radio production and marketing. They didn't buy Yaesu-Vertex for amateur radio. They bought it for its world wide market into commercial radio throughout the world. When I was in Turkey about 8 years ago, every traffic cop in Ankara had a two way radio that looked identical to an FT-50 except for its keypad.
Old timers will recall that, over 45 years ago, Zenith bought Central Electronics was bought out by Zenith. And hams then thought big Zenith technology was going to find its way into Central Electronics products.
WRONG. Central Electronics was bought by Zenith to get access to some of its innovative designs, and once it got them, Central Electronics was killed off, and one of the firms with highly advanced amateur radio equipment for sale was a dead duck.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by AA8X on November 10, 2007
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My plans to purchase a FT-2000 are now on hold. After seeing how Motorola has been operated manufacturing facilities in Illinois, I’m expecting to see the end of Yaesu products, which will be very sad indeed.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by N7IBC on November 11, 2007
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I am the COMM officer for a small western police department. My thoughts as a ham are that this is not good. We were forced to buy Motorola by the state even though it was our money and the comment was,
"If in the future you wish to use grant money from DHS, you will have to buy Motorola now to stay up with APCO 25."
Talking to the area Rep for "M", is like talking to a talking head. When asking for service, parts, or accessories or anything, the reply is;
"I'll have to check with corporate", "M" doesn't provide that service", "That is outside the service agreement"," That will not work", or the best is, "It will take about 2 months".
Cost for new "commercial" radios through Icom would have been $27,390 K for 24 radios, 200 channels, mix of VHF and UHF handhelds. This included leather cases, shoulder mics, chargers and fully encrypted. As COMM officer, I would have had the ability to program them as we needed, at no extra cost.
"M" was $28K for 13 UHF handhelds, 48 channels, non-encrypted, no accessories, and always extra for everything. Encryption was extra later on of course.
Several years ago, an HF radio, a "M", (true it was an Israeli Micom manufactured there but still sold by "M") was provided dy DHS to a local jurisdiction here. The "M" rep was asked to help assist the local COMM officer in the installation of the HF antenna and the radio into an EOC. His response was, ( "We don't do that and HF is an archaic way to communicate anyway")less than satisfactory.
I don't think they have that installed to this day. Still in the boxes and still in the closet at the main office.
Oh yeah, "M" is going to be great.
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Motorola Buys Yaesu:
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by WA5VHU on November 14, 2007
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There is an interesting editorial written from the Two-Way Radio (Land Mobile) viewpoint at:
http://mrtmag.com/commentary/newsletters/consolidation_motorola_vertex_110907/index.html
This "merger" may not bode well for the commercial customers either...
WA5VHU
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