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Author Topic: Manufacturers are cutting corners  (Read 952 times)

KD9DOG

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Manufacturers are cutting corners
« on: November 01, 2022, 01:38:30 PM »

I just bought an Icom 7300 and I am content with the rig except for the manual, they include this half baked thing that makes you have to search for answers on the webernet. There is a full manual available on the web  to print out and this to me is a pain and expensive option, for the money spent you would think the maker would include the full manual. Used to be we got the complete manual and the schematic it is just so dicouraging.
Happy DXing
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VK3LU

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2022, 01:54:29 PM »

The full manual is on the cd supplied with the rig. It is found half hidden in the bottom of the box.

Nev
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AK5B

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2022, 01:57:09 PM »

I agree, and it's not just rig manufacturers, either.
Spent 70 grand on a new truck with no owner's manual last year---"It's online!"  Is always the useless answer forthcoming.  Sad world we live in nowadays.
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KE4YD

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2022, 02:16:58 PM »

Agreed, it's everything from phones, printers and even restaurants when placing orders. They raise their prices and want you to do all the work online.
73,
David  KE4YD
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K5LXP

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2022, 02:38:33 PM »

Any paper manual is obsolete the minute you print it.  With electronic copies you can print off whatever section(s) matter to you.  I especially like having my manuals with me on a phone, tablet or thumb drive.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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VE3WGO

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2022, 03:51:02 PM »

I also prefer hardcopy manuals with my new gear.  But I also remind myself that a typical book of several hundred pages usually sells for $20 or $30 or even more for a softcover book, and that's money I don't mind saving.

In the end, I just print the pages that I want to have handy as reference material, like the menu options etc.

I would rather they cut corners on the paper than on the electronics or software.  It's a matter of survival....  I think they are being pushed into a corner by the low-cost chinese radio companies.

73, Ed
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W0CKI

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2022, 04:16:58 PM »

I think it's great that they have online manuals. I have a couple of computers, one in my shack, and a phone and an iPad. I can reference the manuals anywhere I wish to. The basic paper should allow even the first-time user to get started. And if the new ham has learned anything, I hope, one can figure out the very few complicated issues. God help us if the new ham had to tune a radio. Remember increase the drive and dip the plate.
Gary W0CKI
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KE6SLS

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2022, 04:41:16 PM »

I agree, and it's not just rig manufacturers, either.
Spent 70 grand on a new truck with no owner's manual last year---"It's online!"

You're quite right.  When I noted the lack of manual, I told the Honda dealer sorry and started to walk out.  The dealer quickly promised me hard copy manual.  By god, it showed up a few weeks later along with the service manual!

73
j
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KC8KTN

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2022, 05:29:39 PM »

Wow
It is everywhere.
Some claim they are saving the world with less paper and tree's ect. Bla Bla Bla.
I just see less effort from companies and more crap for us to do. Just my onion. Everyone stay safe. Next Tuesday will not change anything. Just my onion x2...
Keeping it Real..
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AF5CC

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2022, 05:58:24 PM »

And look at the crummy internal antenna tuners they put in today's radios.  Don't have near the matching range of tuners in the TS440, TS450, TS930, FT890, FT990, you get my drift.  Some of those would match up almost anything.

73 John AF5CC
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AI5BC

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2022, 06:21:28 PM »

Manufacture quit killing tree when CD appeared in 1982. Time to get with the times Boomer.
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K7LZR

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2022, 07:45:30 PM »

Would do you no good to have a schematic diagram for most modern electronics as they are not serviceable by most people. Printed manuals cost a substantial amount of money if they are of good quality and are not easy to update whereas digital manuals can reflect changes very quickly. If hardcopy is needed, simply print the needed sections or even the whole manual as desired.....

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K4WH

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2022, 08:42:55 PM »

Strange.  I have had three Icom 7300’s and all had printed manuals.  That said that was three years ago, and the rigs were used, so maybe cira 2019 versions.  My very new Kenwood 590sg and 6 month old 890s both have manuals.  The 890s manual close to 200 pages.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2022, 08:46:21 PM by K4WH »
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VE3PP

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2022, 03:55:14 AM »

My FTDX-10 came with a printed manual.
It's in a file folder in a drawer. I use the PDF manual on my computer if I need to check something. It's easier to use.

BTW my 2022 Ford Bronco Sport came with a manual.
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K6CPO

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Re: Manufacturers are cutting corners
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2022, 10:26:14 AM »

For the manuals I seem to refer to the most, I download and print them—on full size 8½x11 paper—and then have them spiral bound at Staples. A full size manual is much easier to refer to than the manuals that come included with the radios. In the field, I'll use a manual downloaded to my phone or a tablet.
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