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Buying American - Do you consider a local or USA product or service first when making a new ham radio related purchase? (DX - vote accordingly)

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Survey Comments

Buy American...if possible

Two new rigs purchased August 2005, A TenTec Argonaut V and an SGC SG2020. The SGC is no longer manufactured therefore leaving, as far as I know, one manufacturer providing a quality, fully assembled, modern transceiver. And, please don't bring up MFJ. 'nuf said?
Posted by KA2JIZ on 2006-02-17

N3JBH said this

KA8OCN said this in his posting.
"I have been licensed for over 20 years and I have never seen a Ten-Tec. I will have to do a search on eBay for them."
You been licensed for then 20 years and never seen a Ten-Tec? Where have you been hiding at? And you really must not read QST. Or read a lot about Amateur radios. TEN-TEC is legendary. Probably the best CW mode radios around.

Why don't you just go to www.tentec.com and see their stuff. Ten-Tec has 37 years of building world class USA-made Amateur Radio, commercial and government communications systems. And I believe it may be time for you too see what it is the offer my friend.

I wonder if you are a Liberal? I made a post on this board (something I dont do much of) and you attacked me.
I don't get any Ham Radio Mags, I used to belong to the ARRL but the insurance went up so much that I can have a rider placed on my homeowners that covers my equipment and cost much less.
You see I am one of those people that never had one the of union jobs that paid so well and drove the cost of living up. I dont waist money (I think most hams are just as cheep as I am) I did buy that Amp I spoke of (Ameritron) and yes it was American made, I really like that but its not why I purchased it, I purchased it because I thought it was a good value.
As far as buying a rig, I tend to look at what others are using when I make contacts and I usually hear the big 3, I have nothing against Ten Tec, but when I am making a purchase that is going to last me for years and years to come I dont rely on a mag advertisement, they are PAYING to advertise so its going to say great things about what they are advertising, when you ask someone that has a rig they are giving you a honest answer.
To Ten Tec's credit I dont see many on eBay so the people that have them must be happy with them. And like I said before I almost always buy used. The exception was my first Icom 735, it was my reward for getting my code and passing my Novice (Many moons ago) and I purchased the Amp new because I was worried a used one could have problems that I would not be able to handle not knowing anything about them (Being my first one)
I am an American and I Love My Country as much as the next guy, I want our country to do well, I need to it do well, I and my Family live here! I don' care what anyone says we are the most Blessed People (Americans) on the planet!
73's KA8OCN
I will now go crawl back under my rock...
Posted by K8OCN on 2006-01-10

KC2OYZ

KC2OYZ, I wonder what company you work for? Would you mind telling us? I want to personally make sure I or my company never buys anything from you or your company. Your attitude does not help our economy, standard of living, or employment growth.
Posted by WB8NUT on 2005-12-30

us products

I consider quality and value only. If US firms want my business, let them make the best products - I work too hard for my money to throw it away on sub-quality gear.
Posted by KC2OYZ on 2005-12-28

"Well say what you want about Wal-Mart butt rember how many of there stores do you hear are closeing down and moveing to mexico ???"

No, you don't. BUT many of the companies that manufacture the items they sell are NOT in the U.S. The reason is simple: Americans want top dollar for the job they do (part of that is because it simply costs so much just to get by) and yet they want to pay as little as possible for the products they buy. Companies here in the U.S. can't pay the salaries demanded by their employees and then sell their products for next to nothing. Enable for Wal-Mart to offer "everyday low prices" they have to buy products from companies that sell them for low prices and that, unfortunately, means buying from foreign countries.

Posted by KD4AC on 2005-12-24

Wal-Mart

Well say what you want about Wal-Mart butt rember how many of there stores do you hear are closeing down and moveing to mexico ???

The answer is NONE!!

Posted by N2BR on 2005-12-19

Buy U.S. made?

I would gladly buy all American made gear, if there WAS some all American made gear. I love Ten Tec, but obviously, many of their components are also made overseas. In this day of the global economy, it is futile to try and buy "All American Made", because there isn't any, at least not in electronics. Designed, partly made and all assembled here, is about as close as you can get.
Posted by WB4TJH on 2005-12-19

History to be repeated

"Hats off" to K9KEJ and his post "Forgotten Our History" dated 12-16-05.
Please re read what was stated there.

First though my personal view on this subject is to support my fellow American worker by buying his product over any import for survival of my country. I desire to support myself first.

I have watched the errosion of our economy since the early 1960s and the social effect it produces. This is not rocket science but economics "101".

There is a saying which states ~ "If you do not learn from history, then you will get to repeat it". Very true.

I was recently looking at QST for January 1944 and it was loaded with story after story about the homefront effort using trained civilian amateur radio operators. Devotion to the hobby then was about learning methods and using technology to win a World War. America was great because it still remembered its role in WW1.

The "hoofbeats" of WW3 are now being drumed into our daily news and my only question is ~ will America be ready or will it depend on its enemies to build for our defense. Something to ponder!

Bless GOD America !



Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Posted by K8MRS on 2005-12-17

The global economy

> My "American" car has an ABS system from
> Germany, a fuel injection system from Japan,
> windows from Canada, and so on. My "American"
> Ten Tec radio has capacitors from Japan, ICs
> from Japan and Malaysia, etc. My Yaesu and
> Kenwood radios use microprocessors that were
> probably designed in the USA, although made
> in Japan.

That is the reality of the global economy. The gentleman who talked about "Economics 101" clearly hasn't passed the course. My car has a U.S. nameplate (Chevrolet) but was assembled in Canada and has a Suzuki engine that was made in Japan. It probably has bits and pieces from half a dozen other countries as well. There are Hondas and VWs with far more American content than my car and yet they are called "foreign".

Globalisation has already happened and the clock cannot be turned back. A new round of protectionism in the U.S. would hurt Americans more than anyone else. That is economic reality and anyone who has passed Economics 101 understands it. That is why our leaders, Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike, are overwhelmingly for developing global markets. (Yes, I know a few exceptions, but they are the very few.)

I have an Elecraft antenna tuner, an Astron power supply, some old Kantronics QRP gear, a few MFJ odds and ends, etc... Want to bet I can find foreign bits in all of them? Ditto any and all Ten Tec gear. By the same token anyone want to bet I can open up my Icom IC-703 and find some chips made by allegedly American companies, perhaps even made in the U.S.A.? Who works at Icom America? Americans, for the most part. Should we put them out if work?

If the American product is the best value for the money of course I'll buy it. If all things are equal and I have a choice between a Japanese product or an American product I'll choose the American one, but all things never are exactly equal, are they? I have my Elecraft T1 because it was the best product at the best price, not because I only wanted to support an American company.

73,
Caity
K7VO
Posted by K7VO on 2005-12-17

Economics 101

One fact left out of the Economic's 101 issue and that is people in third world countries are Hungry and want to work and hard and repitious work is very acceptable to going hungry. And the writer who gave example's of globalization is right on and we can't turn back the clock.....
Posted by FORMER_K0PD on 2005-12-17

Not Politicans Fault

This is a funny thread! Every body has to cover up their laziness by pointing the finger at our government.
Next time your shaving, look in that mirror and ask yourself when was the last time you got off your lazy duff and went to the polls to vote. Our government is made up of people you did or DID NOT vote for.

As for radios, I buy which ever radio works best for the way I enjoy my hobby. After 53 years of buying/building radios, I have four Ten Tec radios and one Icom radio. They work the best for me personally.

Posted by W4BQF on 2005-12-16

Forgotten our history

It appears that American consumers have forgotten their history lessons.
What country marched across Europe in the 30s and slaughtered millions, and is now one of our staunchest allies? GERMANY.
What country kicked us in the crotch in 1941 and then slaughtered mega-thousands of people across Asia--and is supposed to be one of our greates friends, and yet restricts us from operating on a trade-free basis in their country? JAPAN of course.
What country forced us to spend mega-billions during the cold war to keep them at bay, and is now one of our great friends and allies? Russia of course.
And what country marched across the Yalu River in the early 50s killining Americans like gnats, and now American consumers buy more than 95-per cent of their consumables from them? CHINA-naturally.
We lost 57-thousand men and women in this country in the 60s and early 70s in order to stem the tide of another so-called enemy, but now Americans flock there because the country is a major tourist attraction, and it also produces a massive amount clothing worn by American consumers. Which country, you ask? VIETNAM, of course.
What's wrong with us in our own country?
Why are our own, sacred institutions so consumed with greed that they have to have their products manufactured in countriews that laugh at us and treat us like crap?
Our cars, trucks and construction equipment is as good or better than what's being made in Japan. Our clothing (not much though) is head-and-shoulders above the junk sold in Walmart. Like others, I will buy the best product/service available from manufacturers in this country--if I can, and if not, I choke down the bile and cringe when laying out my cash for some Chinese crud. It's not a democratic or republican president that got us into this scenario. It's our own fault for trusting crooked senators and congressman for accepting PAC money and bribes to cut deals. American taxpayers have acted like sheep, hoping and wishing for better times, when in reality we have not demanded better ethics from those we send to Washington. Ten-Tec is a fine company. It makes great gear. So did Heath; Drake; Collins; B&W, and all the others that served us well in past times. We just took our hands off the reins and allowed the horse to run wild, and now we post frustrating correspondence on a web page like this, carping that a president or union is at fault. We all must share the blame.

Orrin
K9KEJ
Posted by K9KEJ on 2005-12-16

Personally...

I don't really care where it comes from, as long as it works.
Posted by KC0TJR on 2005-12-16

Rigs vs. antennae

It depends. If we're talking about rigs, I generally go with "the big three"; Icom Yaesu or Kenwood. (And in that order...) Because of the overhead in this country, we just can't seem to produce an affordable rig that comes close to "the big three". (Although Elecraft is making a run at it...)

When it comes to antennas, meters, microphones, keys and other stuff...I try to support the American small ham business. I know these guys/gals aren't in it for "the riches". ("Riches" and "ham radio business" is an oxymoron...) They are in it for the love of the hobby/service, and to help thy fellow amateur.

73, Bill-WA8MEA
http://HamRadioFun.com
(An American Small Ham Business....)
Posted by WA8MEA on 2005-12-16

Buy American?

Well, I'm a Canadian, and I like to try to buy Canadian or American products whenever I can (we are friends and a free trade bloc after all). I have a Ten Tec Paragon & tuner station, 2 Astron PS's, 5 Cushcraft antennas, and a clutch of MFJ accessories, but I also have a Yeasu FT-847 HF/VHF/UHF radio and az-el rotor, and Kenwood TR-751 2m all-mode. I pick what I really want, and geography plays a secondary role.

Lots of things get made overseas, even designed overseas. My "American" car has an ABS system from Germany, a fuel injection system from Japan, windows from Canada, and so on. My "American" Ten Tec radio has capacitors from Japan, ICs from Japan and Malaysia, etc. My Yaesu and Kenwood radios use microprocessors that were probably designed in the USA, although made in Japan.

But I do think there is too much paranoia about the USA losing their monopoly in product manufacturing. The US economy is the strongest in the world by a huge margin, even though the USA is only the 4th larget economic entity in the world. There IS a huge and growing American trade deficit, but that is due in large part to the amazing appetite for foreign oil, not foreign T-shirts!

The USA has exited the consumer electronics design and manufacturing business for the most part. In its place, the USA has instead focussed on becoming a near monopoly for ownership of fast food, technology and intellectual property - huge businesses like like microprocessors (Intel,AMD), software (Microsoft,Oracle,IBM), food (McD,Coke), entertainment (Disney, Time...movies, TV shows), and military hardware. You can buy a Coke and Big Mac, and watch CNN in almost any country in the world. Beijing China is full of McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants. Most of the world's largest companies are American. Many of the biggest Dow Jones index companies are heavily involved in military business - companies like Boeing, Honeywell, GE, Raytheon, United Tech, etc to name a few:

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/cp?s=%5EDJI

That's where American electronics designers are working these days -- designing sophisticated radar for a new stealth fighter or bunker buster missile, rather than designing cheap little clock radios or stereos or handie talkies in the USA. And that's not the case in Japan and China. So get over it. The USA has the lowest unemployment rate in the entire planet -- almost everybody is busy there -- they're just not designing and building consumer electronics and clothing like they used to do, they do other stuff now.

SO the bottom line...Americans see foreign cars, cameras and T-shirts coming INTO the USA, but they don't see the billions of dollars of Boeing jetliners and fighter jets, movies, TV shows and rights, food, software and chips that flow OUT of the USA at the same time. It's only natural that an American would be alarmed by what they see. It's what they don't see that is just as important.

If the USA government had to decide whether to put up a protectionist trade barrier to keep out cheap Japanese or Chinese home entertainment and ham radios to keep the American electronics companies alive, while at the same time accepting a similar trade barrier erected by Japan or China to American passenger jets, I think the answer would be easy to arrive at. And that's exactly where we are now. Skip the fearmongering...China just bought another 10 billion dollars worth of Boeing passenger jets - that's worth a lot of T-shirts and clock radios my friends.

But I'll still try to buy another American ham radio if it has the bands and modes that I want, and if not then I'll buy one from somewhere else. Same goes for power supplies, SWR meters, tuners, and antennas. IF the American ham radio companies aren't interested in offering VHF/UHF gear, then I will shop elsewhere. TenYaeComWoodCraft all make gear that is the best money can buy. Simple as that.
Posted by VE3WGO on 2005-12-16

Sadly, American Made is no longer synonymous with quality. Americans have become lazy and want more money for less work. I know, not all Americans but it's enough of them to hurt. Foreigners are taking more pride in their work and accept lesser pay for that work. That's long gone in the U.S.A. A good example is the auto industry. When is the last time you heard of a Toyota plant closing and laying off people? GM, Ford and Chrysler are constantly laying off and shutting down plants. Why? The UAW and its members are continually demanding more and more and offering less and less. The "Big three" have decided "to hell with 'em!" and sending their plants overseas. Basically, the workers have demanded themselves out of a job.

Whenever I see a quality American made product, I'll buy it. But that's not very damned often.
Posted by KILOWATT on 2005-12-16

First Choice Among Equals

Where products are reasonably similar, I work very hard to patronize local businesses -- those owned and operated in my local area. It keeps the money here in my community, where it does me the most good.

Similarly, where products are competitive, I try very hard to buy products that are American made. It keeps the money here, where it does the most good. But it's surprising how difficult this can be: I tried to buy (several hundred) t-shirts recently for my company and I'll be darned if I could find a good quality US source (irrespective of price).

And so it is for me with ham equipment. I'm looking for my first HF rig. I'm considering TenTec. But have you READ the eham reviews? Also, can an Orion compare -- in terms of functionality and technical sophistication -- to an IC7000? I'm not sure.

Walmart (not that this has a THING to do with ham radio)? I won't set foot in the place. Period. Sam Walton must be turning-over in his grave. He was proud to sell stuff made in the USA, and to run a business that treated his employees right. After his death, the company drastically changed. I will not - under ANY conditions - support poor wages and benefits, discriminatory practices, or manufacturing under sweat shop conditions. My conscience won't allow it.
Posted by KB1MVZ on 2005-12-15

i try too buy usa stuff

even if i have to by older made in the good old usa
butt there a limit
kb0yku
Posted by KB9YKU on 2005-12-15

Economics

I don't buy American products for the quality, I buy American products because it keeps people employed here in our own country and helps to maintain a strong economy.

Sometimes I spend a little more money. Not a whole lot more, but it's always a deciding factor when I make a purchase.
Posted by KC8VWM on 2005-12-15

China and India will follow us

Yes, our standard of living is declining as we are not cost competitive in the increasingly global market. BUT, as wages and standards of living improve in China, India, and the rest of the world, it is just a matter of time before they catch us and our wages/cost structure begin to look attractive to international businesses again. It may take ten years or more, but it WILL happen. That's why I don't mind buying what's best. The sooner the Chinese all get cars, TVs, and higher wages, the sooner my pay will again be competitive, and the sooner I (and my kids) can find _good_ jobs easily again.
What goes around, comes around, folks.
73 de kt8k - Tim
Posted by KT8K on 2005-12-14

KA8OCN said this

KA8OCN said this in his posting.
"I have been licensed for over 20 years and I have never seen a Ten-Tec. I will have to do a search on eBay for them."
You been licensed for then 20 years and never seen a Ten-Tec? Where have you been hiding at? And you really must not read QST. Or read a lot about Amateur radios. TEN-TEC is legendary. Probably the best CW mode radios around.

Why don't you just go to www.tentec.com and see their stuff. Ten-Tec has 37 years of building world class USA-made Amateur Radio, commercial and government communications systems. And I believe it may be time for you too see what it is the offer my friend.

Now as far as the rest the group here screaming it is the union's fault for not giving back. Hog wash!
When the ceo's and other top executives make the enormous salaries the make and never take a concession why should the bargaining unit? Most of the so-called fat in loses are often found in upper management levels. Remember folks when trying to move a pile of manure it is all best to start at the top and work down.

I would think the same would hold true in business. If you took away from the labor who what would be left to produce the goods for management to manage? Don't blame the working guy trying to feed his family that�s making 15 collars hour blame the ceo who is making 4.5 million a year. Darned greedy pigs.
Posted by N3JBH on 2005-12-14

Manure, Wages etc

when I personally move a pile of Manure at the Barn I generally start at the Bottom of the pile with my shovel or front end loader. When you begin at the top, it all just gets moved around and nothing is accomplished. Same with corporations.
There is NO other country in the world to the best of my knowledge, where a factory blue collar worker gets paid $20 per hour or more to tighten a Nut on a Car chassis. I talk to many people all over the world every day of the week, in many different businesses, and the USA is Tops for wages paid for minimal output. So in my humble opinion, Unions ARE the cause of a lot of our plight, not all, but a lot.
As I said in an earlier post, We Have Met The enemy, and He is Us.
Posted by K5UNY on 2005-12-14

I thought the question was..

I see this has turned political. Let's see i've now read where it's all President Bushes fault or the union's. As to the comment's regarding Walmart now this i can speak with some kind of knowledge. Walmart's policy is very simple, you either sell to them at there price and service them the way they want it and to hell with a vendor's other account's. Example here in the midwest where i'm at they have demanded 7 day a week service and the companies are doing it. Case in point remember a company called pillowtex?? Well they were once the world's largest maker of pillow's and other bedding. Well they refused to meet walmart's demand's and walmart went over sea's and dropped pillowtex and now they are gone along with the 14,000 worker's they once hired in the USA. Now Walmart thank God does not sell Ham Radio's and a whole lot of Radio dealer's are darn glad they don't...
Posted by FORMER_K0PD on 2005-12-14

Wal-Mart

If Wal-Mart is the buyer, then they should set whatever guidelines they wish to operate by. The vendor has 2 choices: Meet the guidelines, or find another buyer for their product. Most of us probably do that when we buy a piece of radio equipment. If HRO doesn't offer me a deal I like, I go to AES or someone else instead. I don't let the vendor determine what deal I MUST take.
Posted by NE0P on 2005-12-14

Buy American

I would consider buying American if I could, but name one US manufacturer that makes a HF/VHF or HF/VHF/UHF radio? Seems like the US companies need to get with it.
Posted by NE0P on 2005-12-14

Buy American

Good news is usually the best stuff IS American in this game. Last foreign rig was a IC751A, good rig, but no Omni. Not sure about the $10K rigs, but I'm not in that market segment anyway. My American list:

HF xcvr - Ten Tec
other HF xcvr - Elecraft K2 - built at home
(the 2 best RX's in my price range...and 100W of CW is about the same from any rig)

Amp - Ameritron AL80A

PS's - Astron

Rotor - C.A.T.S.

Tower - Rohn

Coax Switches, Baluns, keys, antennas, connectors, wire, accessories, etc - all US! Pretty amazing, about 90% of my stuff, and my $.

exceptions?

OK, a Yaesu VXA700 handheld, no options there, and a IC706 for v/uhf ssb/cw hilltopping / mobile, no options there either.

Why not?

K0MF

Posted by K0MF on 2005-12-14

The US Economy or ???

Well some of you all can bash the Feds, George Bush and any other entity that your Finger can point to. After you get thru with the ranting, stand in front of a mirror and point your finger at the real cause, We are our own worst enemy. Its really easy to be a Victim.
As far as who owns a Gas station or Ice Cream shop or a whatever, no one is stopping a US citizen from buying the same, so if you or I care not to participate in the Free Economy Society and be a Entrepreneur don't knock the immigrant who wants to further him or herself.
I work for a company that does Factory Inspections(pre and post production), shipboard loaded container Inspections, and Code of Conduct Inspections(no child labor or sweat shops) overseas for American Companies. I know of several US companies that bring an average of 100 40foot containers into the country each month and one that does that each WEEK.These containers are coming in from China, Indonesia, Viet Nam, India, Mexico, and points South, just to name a few countries of origin.This trend is getting worse. If you think that 20% American made parts in the auto industry or any other industry is Good, then you need a course in basic economics.
Take a Sight Seeing trip to a Walmart, K-mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Kohls etc etc etc and compare the Made in the USA tags to those of other countries. Ya mite be surprised, then maybe not.
We, you and me, are our own worst enemy. WE can change what is happening with our country, but we have become a nation of Victims.
Posted by K5UNY on 2005-12-13

Don't buy waste

The quality and performance of a product is the most important for me. It doesn't matter where it was fabricated. Good or bad things can be made in Germany, USA, China, all over the world. You wil not have the guarantee of a good equipment only by a reputated origin country. Okay ou might support a local labor, but why should i if the things they build are expensive or bad quality ?
Posted by DF5EY on 2005-12-13

Unions set the stage!

I buy the best, even IF it isn't American made.

Sorry but the labor unions & Democrats should learn from their pals in France, Germany & throughout the EU that they are losing twice. First they won't EVER give back a thing so they are layed off (GM & Ford are prime examples) rather than allowing the company to justify their survival. A living wage is making a living, not getting a handout on unemployment.

Then while they are crying in their beer being unemployed, they have to go to WalMart to stretch their unemployment dollars farther than their underqualified greed wages.

The Federal government, the EPA, OSHA, workman's comp & the tree hugging enviromuffins have all driven mass industry from the US by over-regulating doing business. Electronics have been made offshore for years & now even Japan is taking a back seat to Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Singapore & a dozen more!
Posted by K4RAF on 2005-12-13

The Invisible Hand

The power of the market is inexorable. Adam Smith confirmed that in 1776. Markets know no international borders.
Jim
Posted by W4JFR on 2005-12-13

"Look at Wal-Mart it has 70%percent of its products made in CHINA! WHY CHEAP PRODUCTS AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BUYS THEM!"

I'll tell you why - because Americans demand to be paid top dollar for the job they do but want the lowest price possible for the products they buy. You simply can't produce products in the U.S. and pay the "I want to buy a Hummer" salary and then also sell your products for next to nothing.
Posted by KD4AC on 2005-12-12

At lease you still make stuff

At least you still make ham radio stuff in the USA. OK Ten Tec is a bit pricy (but nice) and some MFJ stuff can be a bit iffy QA wise, but even Japanise stuff can go wrong.

If you don't support your own industry no one else will do so.

Len GM0ONX

Posted by GM0ONX on 2005-12-12

American is Quality

I've owned Four TenTecs now and all have been wonderful. I can't say the same for the Japanese radios. Kenwood TS-2000 with failed finals, Yaesu FT-817 with failed finals. All within the first two years of ownership. Japanese does not equate with quality anymore. Using components too close to rated capacity. Yeah, you MAY (that can be disputed because of the features you get) pay more for TenTec, but they keep working.
Posted by WB8NUT on 2005-12-12

Made where?

Look who is made with more American made parts: Toyota or GM. Surprise Toyota, by upto 20% more than GM.
Posted by K9FLO on 2005-12-12

Get with it Ten Tec

I agree with the other poster-Why should I buy a Ten Tec if it doesn't come with several bands I wish to operate on? And can they make a decent sized rig instead of someething that takes up half of the spare bedroom? And what is with their putting no SWR protection in the rig?
Posted by NE0P on 2005-12-12

Re: Made where?

Posted:

"Look who is made with more American made parts: Toyota or GM. Surprise Toyota, by upto 20% more than GM."

Then I have to ask: Is it any wonder Toyota vehicles are so popular and seem to last longer? ;-)
Posted by K1CJS on 2005-12-12

One has to look at the Current Account (similar to cash flow) along with the exchange rate to better understand what happens with imports and exports.

Incidentally, a lot of the Wizard of OZ was about the gold standard. Follow The Yellow Brick (bricks of gold) Road.

Freakonomics anyone?

Bob
Posted by RobertKoernerExAE7G on 2005-12-12

Patcomm

Patcomm made some of the best radios around with more bells and whistles than the foreign products for less money. I bought one new and upgraded it regularly. They are now out of business, and why do you think that is? If I were to buy a foreign product, I'd look for one on the USED market--keep the cash within our borders.
Posted by W9NET on 2005-12-12

George Bush?

Wow! I didn't the President was responsible for ALL our
problems. Amazing.... give it a rest. He is just a man with
all the foibles. The other George (Washington) was known
to be an atrocious speller but he did alright as a President
though many complained about him at the time... come to
think of it a lot of them didn't like Lincoln either and...
and... Bottom line is you can't blame it all good or bad on
the President and your comment is suffused with
politicism. If we have a problem as a nation each of us can
best solve it by looking in the mirror and doing what we
should do.

Personally, I prefer to help my neighbor out, but my
neighbor has to help me to by doing his/her best. I want
the best product and I believe that can be an American
product if we dump the poor character and adopt the
ethic of always my best because its the right thing to do.

Just a little philo from a dreaded Californian.
Posted by KF6MOD on 2005-12-12

Buy American

I just purchased a Yaesu-897 and I Love it, but the only New Radio I ever purchased was a Icom-735 and It still works Great. I also have a 706 and a Alinco DX-77 but I really do not like the 706, the buttons are to small and the menus are confusing if I dont use it all the time. I replaced the 706 with the Alinco and at this time do not know what I will do with the 706.

I have always noticed something living in a UAW town all my life. The people making much lower wages are expected to pay much more money for products that are sometimes not as good the non American made but when it came to a grocery store chain changing their name so they could get rid of the union the UAW workers had no problem crossing the picket line, they said it was not person they just needed the best prices on groceries.
I am not and have never been a part of any union but a good friend of mine lost his job because of this (Union would not allow the workers to take a pay cut to keep their jobs) so how it seemed to me is Union people are just like the rest of us they look out for themselves, the want the best price.
I remember years ago I purchased my first new vehicle and I was all proud it was made in the USA (S-10) the first time I purchased a oil filter I looked at the id tag to get the info and found it was made in Canada!
I did not even think they made any Amateir Radios here in the USA, but I always buy used anyway. I did just buy a New Amplifier and I think that is American Made.
I have been licensed for over 20 years and I have never seen a Ten-Tec. I will have to do a search on eBay for them.
Posted by K8OCN on 2005-12-12

Xenaphobia Squared

Buy the best! It is a world economy.

Don't blame Americans for buying a WalMart because they
need to stretch their dollar further.

Look at Germany. Jobs are being exported at a great rate
due to the unions pricing labour right out of the picture! It
is all interconnected and simplistic jigoistic solutions don't
work.

Australian farm production is unsubidised and we have
trouble competeing with heavily subsidised farm
production for where, you guessed it the good ole USA!
Posted by VK3JP on 2005-12-11

Buy American

This goes way beyond radio related purchases, maybe this belongs under a different topic, but I can't resist.
I buy American whenever I can, even if it may cost a little more.
Buying imported goods on a massive scale, especially from China, will ultimately erode and kill our economy.
Our economy is slowly going overseas. Right now there are still enough jobs and money around, but their won't be for our children and grandchildren.
We can's survive on the Service industry forever!
We have been riding on the coat tails of the "Great Generation" for some time and it's quickly coming to a head.
Blame it on Bush? If anything, blame it on Clinton who signed the free trade agreement with China. Under the guise that we would have access to their large population for our goods.... PLEASE! They don't buy our goods, they copy them. All that has happend is technology theft at an even higher rate than before.
We had better wake up folks!!!
(Yes, I am a conservitive republican)

Posted by W5MX on 2005-12-11

A Civic Duty

Patriotism is a virtue, not yet a crime. I teach my children by example and try to purchase goods made in my native land first. If the goods honestly can't compete, then I make the next best choice. This is fair and reasonable and does not exclude foreign sources. Any ham looking around his shack will see things from everywhere. How else can Americans show leadership other than making and purchasing the best?
Posted by AI2IA on 2005-12-11

A Civic Duty

Patriotism is a virtue, not yet a crime. I teach my children by example and try to purchase goods made in my native land first. If the goods honestly can't compete, then I make the next best choice. This is fair and reasonable and does not exclude foreign sources. Any ham looking around his shack will see things from everywhere. How else can Americans show leadership other than making and purchasing the best?
Posted by AI2IA on 2005-12-11

VK3JP said,

“Australian farm production is unsubidised and we have trouble competeing with heavily subsidised farm production for where, you guessed it the good ole USA! “

Well, VK3JP, I take exception to much of your post but to this part I must agree. The U.S. government has made a huge mistake in subsidizing agricultural produce. They insist upon us maintaining an “open door” policy for the sake of our setting a world example on Free Trade. Then they subsidize produce (As if to say they do not believe free enterprise will be able to survive without their influence.) and sell on the world markets at artificially low prices.

The most outrageous of these subsidized markets is on TOBACCO! They also limit the production of tobacco to keep the prices artificially high so it will continue to be a profitable crop to grow. All this while they are spending other tax dollars to warn our children about the deadly effects of smoking and using ‘smokeless tobacco.’

They did indeed set an example for the world to follow. Did you ever wonder why you don’t see Ten Tec Jupiters or Orions promoted by Ham Radio Outlet or Texas Towers? That YaeComWood sitting on your bench cost more to produce that you paid for it. (The concept is NOT to COMPETE but to DESTROY all COMPETITORS!) The merchants are only too eager to grab up as many of these radios as they can. The only hitch was, they had to agree on a condition that they would not carry the DOMESTIC AMERICAN competitor’s products on their shelves.

That is why Ten Tec radio equipment is sold only at the factory of its manufacture. The amateur radio merchants have refused to sell these AMERICAN produced goods in the stores or mail order operations. Hammarlund, Drake, Swan, Collins, Johnson or none of the others would be welcome either if they were still around.

The U.S. politicians have always been our worst enemy and it is no different today. If blame for any one cause of our downward spiral could be placed, it would have to be placed upon the lawyers. Lawyers have driven manufacturing from our shores with greater influence than any other force.

The worst of the lawyers are those who majored in political science and went on to become politicians. (Lawmakers as our TV announcers prefer to call them.) They have done more to destroy this country than any foreign entity has been able to do. Wasn’t it the same with the Roman Empire?

Posted by W4XKE on 2005-12-11

Not Much Sympathy

I don’t have too much sympathy for an American businesses who dithers with their
products while other companies over seas makes better products. I also don’t have much sympathy for American business executives who always looks to invest in China at every turn no matter what China does to their environment, their people and their neighbors. Why not diversify investment into South America and other parts of Asia. The other party to this mess are American politicians - both democrat and republican. They’ve allowed other countries to screw around with their currencies and thus allowing them an unfair competitive advantage here in America.
Posted by KG6AMW on 2005-12-11

Buy American

In a global economy where the merits of the individual product will be tested worldwide the market will decide who will be the best. Many times value wins over performance due to economic reasons. My first radio was Heathkit, then graduated up to Drake. I have now three Ten-Tec radios on the air at my shack. I have a great sense of pride in doing my small part to advance American quality and engineering. They may not be the shiniest hammer in the toolbox but they nail those contacts just as well!
Posted by KC4YVJ on 2005-12-11

I would buy American first

I have had numerous American made radios and also many foreign made. It is not my first choice to have the three Icoms I have, but they are the size that fits my vehicles and allows me to use them more readily as portables. I have had three Ten-Tec radios and LOVE Ten-Tecs. I have repeatedly called them to ask them to make a smaller radio that matches the smallness of the KenYaescom radios with the options also available. But as good as Ten-Tec is, if I cannot use them where I want to, then buying them is not an option. I would even give the up the option of having UHF & VHF on the radio if they would make one the same small size with the 100 watts out. I know Ten-Tec has the capability to do it but I cannot understand why they refuse to do it. Until they do, my choices will have to remain foreign. Sadly!
Frank
Posted by KL7IPV on 2005-12-11

Ten-Tec. Always Ten-Tec. Then the rest of them.
Posted by K4IQT on 2005-12-10

Don't Export Jobs

I even evaluate companies based on the location of their tech support staff. If it is offshore, big points against making the purchase. When I get an unsolicited phone call, I ask where the caller is physically calling from. If the location is offshore, the call ends immediately.
Posted by KG4RUL on 2005-12-10

Buy American

I always try to buy American products since I am a Yank. If I were a Brit, I would buy goods produced in the UK. It only makes good sense to take care of your own family / community. As China comes on board as an industrialized nation, more of the world supply of resources will be consumed there, driving up the costs for everyone.

China’s great advantage is cheap labor. If other manufacturing countries contend with China for productivity, their labor forces will need to match wages to compete.

Recent trade reports indicate that Wal-Mart, a U.S. discount chain store, purchased 13 BILLION dollars worth of goods to sell in the United States. If they sell those goods for a profit and realize 20 BILLION dollars in return, that is $20,000,000,000 removed from the U.S. economy.

Those dollars will not be used to support the other local merchants, employers, schools or tax base. My mother kept a plaque on the wall above Dad’s marine cap that said, “Remember Pearl Harbor.” Apparently this generation has indeed forgotten. Think of these things when you buy YaeComWood.

Posted by W4XKE on 2005-12-10

Buy American

I always try to buy American products since I am a Yank. If I were a Brit, I would buy goods produced in the UK. It only makes good sense to take care of your own family / community. As China comes on board as an industrialized nation, more of the world supply of resources will be consumed there, driving up the costs for everyone.

China’s great advantage is cheap labor. If other manufacturing countries contend with China for productivity, their labor forces will need to match wages to compete.

Recent trade reports indicate that Wal-Mart, a U.S. discount chain store, purchased 13 BILLION dollars worth of goods to sell in the United States. If they sell those goods for a profit and realize 20 BILLION dollars in return, that is $20,000,000,000 removed from the U.S. economy.

Those dollars will not be used to support the other local merchants, employers, schools or tax base. My mother kept a plaque on the wall above Dad’s marine cap that said, “Remember Pearl Harbor.” Apparently this generation has indeed forgotten. Think of these things when you buy YaeComWood.

Posted by W4XKE on 2005-12-10

DON'T EXPORT JOBS

I always look on the product for mfg. If it is out of country, I don't purchase. I was a TENTEC fan for years, but they are priced above my means now.
I never go to Walmart. I shop local stores and pay a little more for HONOR and COUNTRY.
My cars are Canadian/American, but face it, Canada is our BEST neighbor.
I don't buy mexican/chile...etc nor do I eat their products. I always look, and pass on their crap.
Americans should think of China, and begin trembling, because one day soon, they will take over the world, by force if necessary.
I have lived there in china.
Our new world government is taking us down the tubes pretty damn fast right now.

Posted by K7NNG on 2005-12-10

American Made

The way i see it if the japanese or who ever build's the more reliable equipment why then should one buy American if it's quality is questionable. Ten Tec seem's to stand out as a very reliable company as far as American made goes, to bad there are not other's like them Patcomm built very innovative radio's but the support was just not there and Frank the founder and owner of Patcomm told me after 9-11 his sales hit the bottom and he did not have the capitol to continue. So another American Company did not survive. As for the one world goverment and China i'll not say one way or the other but will say that with all the regulatory requirement's for anything made here it is to me more of a goverment black mail in that if you donate to which other Party you think will control the goverment they can use it to repress you or free you from goverment restraint's according to how you supported the winning party......
Posted by FORMER_K0PD on 2005-12-10

World Economy

If all else were equal I would purchase a rig mfg in the U.S. I'm not willing however to spend more money for an inferior product just to buy American. Even if you purchase a rig from a U.S. mfg like Ten-tec, virtually all of the components are made overseas. There are no longer any 100% U.S. mfg ham rigs (or most anything else electronic for that matter).

Even if you purchase an Icom for example, you are still supporting U.S. Jobs. The distribution, sales, and support are all U.S. And if you purchase a Ten-Tec you are still supporting the economy in the countries that make all the components.

Posted by AA4PB on 2005-12-10

I DONT WANT HEAR IT

Thats right folks i dont want here how we are loosing jobs and services to them oversea's folks. thats is unless you purchase what you can that is made in the usa. i know some times the products just not avaible. but if they are buy American or dont complain. heck folks i tell how serious i am about this. durring my first heart attack wow laying on a gerny in the

emergrncy room a team of doctors came in every single one them of mid eastern decent (indian) yep you guess i got off the table and wilked out. oh sure there was one hell of a scene there. but i told them get me american trained snd schooled doctors that work for fair wage or let me die. well 3 days later i had my team needless to say i darned near died. but this is America be proud and support it. she is our home land folks. and if we dont support the home land then some day the natinal language will be mandrian.

not me by god i served old glory proudly. and i darnded well will continue it. this wonderful country is surley worth any price will pay. dont beleave me goto a natinal cemetary see how many there paid the price. god bless the usa and god bless all of you.
Posted by N3JBH on 2005-12-10

sorry about spelling

wow folks i am sorry about my spelling last post i just get fired up about America
Posted by N3JBH on 2005-12-10

Buy Only The Best

That's a quick way to mediocrity and second rate products. Buy the best product you can and forget the rest. Ten tec makes a good product because they have to, otherwise the Japanese will eat their lunch. Its that simple.
Posted by KG6AMW on 2005-12-10

Buy American Whenever Possible

I always consider American products first, but I don't buy them just because they are American. Any company will have to earn my trust and goodwill. As an American engineer in the automotive industry, I know what apathetic Americans can do to an industry. Other nations give their products preferential treatment. We are the only people on the earth who will give away our own jobs and livelyhoods in the name of fair competition. If we don't consider American products first, who will? Always consider "Made in the USA" first and give Americans a chance, but make sure your business is earned. There are no free lunches.
Posted by KD8CIP on 2005-12-10

K4IQT:

Amen. Ten-Tec, regardless of where the components are made...is STILL American. (Granted, I'm NO flag waving Republican, but the American economy has suffered enough of a blood-letting due to "business minded" morons like George Bush).

Either way...it's Ten-Tec for my money.

HSH
Posted by KB2HSH on 2005-12-10

K4IQT:

Amen. Ten-Tec, regardless of where the components are made...is STILL American. (Granted, I'm NO flag waving Republican, but the American economy has suffered enough of a blood-letting due to "business minded" morons like George Bush).

Either way...it's Ten-Tec for my money.

HSH
Posted by KB2HSH on 2005-12-10

Not buying American involves many issues beyond quality and price. For example, an object may be lower priced because it is produced by workers experiencing low standards of living and maybe little real personal freedom. In essence, price and quality are only two issues among many that should be considered if your objective is not simply "what's in it for me in the short run".
Posted by KK7WN on 2005-12-10

TEN - TEC

I would love to buy (made in the USA) but we have given the Japanese so many advantages it is very diffcult for US THE US TO COMPETE!
Look at Wal-Mart it has 70%percent of its products made in CHINA! WHY CHEAP PRODUCTS AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BUYS THEM! We have a problem in this country as far as making anything here! Quality and our goverment not promoting our own products ! How can you compete with somEone making $10.00 a day as opposed to $100 or $200.00 A day! All kinds of problems but no soultions ! Restrict imports ! Then see how ingenious the American can become! It does work ! Look athe the US worker during WWII ! Enough said ! The bottom line is quality and demand!
K9PLK
AND ON MORE THING THE HELL WITH ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE WORD CHRISTMAS OUT OF MY CHRISTMAS!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!
Posted by KB9FMV on 2005-12-10

GEORGE BUSH

And he is the biggest part of the problem!
It will take our country 10 years to dig out of the mess he has made of the everything!
Posted by KB9FMV on 2005-12-10

AMERICAN ??

american get real guys is there still an america ? have you looked out there lately who owns what been to a motel lately a gas station to kfc to get your good ole american
fried chicken the local pizza hut know who owns most of the land in s.e. ga who owns most of the large office buildings i won't single out any
one group but wake up people your country is being sold out from under you if you live in mexico only a natural born mexican can own land if your not you can rent it or lease it BUT YOU CAN'T BUY IT who is the smart one us or them
THINK ABOUT IT

chuck/wa4cch
Posted by WA4CCH on 2005-12-10

WA4CCH

YOU RIGHT ! AND EVERY HINDU OWNS A D&D OR ICE CREAM SHOP! BUT WHO IS AT FAULT! GUESS WHO THE DUMB IDIOT (AMERICAN) WHO DIDNT SOLICT AN AMERICAN TO BUY IT ! MONEY THATS ALL IT IS GREED! I RATHER HAVE A MEXCIAN OWN THAT, THEN CHINESE WIN AT THE CAPTIOLIST GAME! AND THEN COME AN TELL MY GRANDSON HE HAS TO START ALL OVER AND WORK FOR A BOWL OF RICE AND 25 CENTS!
Posted by KB9FMV on 2005-12-10