Re: [amsat-bb] Already for AO-40

["Edward R. Cole" <al7eb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From: "John Wilcox" <ns1z@arrl.net>
>I believe the problem is manufacturing capacity. Most of these shops on this
>side of the pond are basically "mom and pop" type. AO-40 surprised most of
>them, even tho it was heavily promoted by AMSAT. I tried to get a SSB D/C
>but, after 7 weeks of waiting, cancelled and bought a Drake (and then
>others!).
>
>My problem was probably that "instant gratification" syndrone...
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: John Becker <molou@big-river.net>
>To: <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
>Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2001 2:11 AM
>Subject: [amsat-bb] Already for AO-40
>
>
>> the 2.4 antenna and the 30 element 70cm is set just waiting
>> for down east microwave to ship the downconverter and preamp.
>> Called them today and they said it will be shipped next week...
>> Must be a reason that it takes 2 weeks to ship after ordering..
>>
>> I have gotten 5 messages saying that they need EM49.
>>
>> John, WØJAB

John and John,

It is more likely that demand has overwhelmed supply!  At Dayton, every
vendor having AO-40 equipment SOLD-OUT!  AO-40 is "hot stuff", apparently,
and we should see hundreds of new stations showing up from the evidence of
the sales!

I have known the owners of Downeast for several years, buying several kits
from them.  Yes, they are a "home-operated" husband-wife team.  They cater
to the complete "weak-signal", eme, microwave, wx-sat, as well as
Ham-satellite community.  They travel to the major VHF+ conferences which
takes time away from production, too.  They have known about and developed
their product line for AO-40 well in advance.  P3D took a long time in the
birthing and a small company can not tie up resources until there appears
to be a viable market...i.e. working satellite.  They have a nice
10,451/144 Rx converter...think they will not have much sales now that the
10G system appears dead?

It took SSB over a month to deliver my MKU-232A, even though I ordered it
two weeks before Dayton.  But Gerry came thru and I am very happy with the
unit...and with his efforts to satisfy me.  DEM shipped my 144/1269 Tx
conv. within four days of the order...but I had pre-ordered it back in
January to get in the front of the waiting line [experience has taught me
that early demand for a new product of their's is often backlogged]...my
unit is serial no. 2.  

If you take a minute to talk with them [SSB and DEM] they will tell you
that they are over-run with orders [who knows what problems they are having
with suppliers?].  AO-40 equipment is the "cabbage patch doll" of ham
radio!  Everyone wants one!  Be patient {I know its hard}...you will be
satisfied.

Ed
{now where is my sales bonus? he! he!}
DEM equipment owned: 144/28 xvtr, 432/28 xvtr, 1296/144 xvtr, 1268/144
conv., 10368/144 xvtr, 3450/144 xvtr, two 1296 preamps, 1420 WSS, 1420/144
Rx conv., two sequencers, tetrode psu kit, two MMIK kits, ...?
Kuhne Engr equipment [from SSB] owned: MKU-102EME and MKU-232A preamps.

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