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K4???

It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.

I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.

Tom W4KX

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Jorge Diez - CX6VM-2

Re: K4???

Hi Tom

did you contact Elecraft?

73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W

El vie., 15 may. 2020 a las 12:52, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft (<
[hidden email]>) escribió:

> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a
> full deposit.
>
> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a
> status report.
>
> Tom W4KX
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

--
73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W
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Keith N6JPA-2

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

At this point it appears to be a vapor product.

On 5/15/2020 8:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote:

> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>
> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>
> Tom W4KX
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT-3

Re: K4???

More likely a combination of the 90-90 rule of product development, and
more than a little bit of COVID-19.

73 -- Lynn

On 5/15/20 9:05 AM, Keith N6JPA wrote:

> At this point it appears to be a vapor product.
>
>
> On 5/15/2020 8:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote:
>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with
>> a full deposit.
>>
>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would
>> appreciate a status report.
>>
>> Tom W4KX
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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David Herring

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…

73,
David - N5DCH

> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>
> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>
> Tom W4KX
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I agree, but am quite disappointed about the lack of direct communication from Elecraft with folks who have put money down. I haven’t heard directly from anyone at Elecraft since January 16 (and that after my instigation).

Sent from my iPad

> On May 15, 2020, at 1:08 PM, David Herring <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>
> 73,
> David - N5DCH
>
>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>> Tom W4KX
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Jim Brown-10

Re: K4???

On 5/15/2020 10:22 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote:
> I agree, but am quite disappointed about the lack of direct communication from Elecraft with folks who have put money down. I haven’t heard directly from anyone at Elecraft since January 16 (and that after my instigation).

Wayne and Eric have both periodically made multiple posts on this
reflector updating progress on K4 manufacturing. Elecraft is based in
northern California, where we are experiencing a pandemic, where anyone
who can read and write has been sheltering in place for a couple of
months, and working at home when their jobs permit. That's what's
happening at Elecraft, and it's most likely true of the vendors who
supply them parts, circuit boards, etc. My XYL and I live within 20
miles of their HQ, and haven't been in a public place since the first
week of March. We go out only to walk for exercise in places where we
can practice distancing and to make curbside pick-ups of food.

73, Jim K9YC

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Rick Bates, NK7I

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

They gave an update here a couple weeks ago and have done so previously
too in newsletters (that you must sign up to get).

These are the usual sources for information, it pays to give them some
attention. They have been forthcoming and open; they're as stuck with
house arrest as the rest of us.

Rick NK7I

On 5/15/2020 10:22 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote:

> I agree, but am quite disappointed about the lack of direct communication from Elecraft with folks who have put money down. I haven’t heard directly from anyone at Elecraft since January 16 (and that after my instigation).
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On May 15, 2020, at 1:08 PM, David Herring <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>>
>> 73,
>> David - N5DCH
>>
>>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>>> Tom W4KX
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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David Gilbert

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by David Herring

All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne or
Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to those
who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them regularly
could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I ever will, but
I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money for ANY item with
this little regular feedback on its shipping status since I can't think
of a good excuse for it. From what I've seen, just about every status
email from Elecraft has talked about K4 feature issues instead of when
it might actually be delivered ... so no, I don't think that's being
very transparent. A year is a very long time to have your money tied
up, and along with that comes some measure of responsibility to account
for it.

73,
Dave AB7E

On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:

> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>
> 73,
> David - N5DCH
>
>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>>
>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>>
>> Tom W4KX

Rick Bates, NK7I

Re: K4???

Then here is your weekly status report:

They're working on improving the firmware (notes posted to the reflector
a couple DAYS ago made note of this).
They're having (like much of the world) issues in getting hard dates for
the bits and pieces to make more K4 (newsletter last month).
When released from house arrest, they will be back at the job awaiting
the parts they've ordered so they can build more (newsletter).
When that is going to be, is anyone's guess for CA. (Duh)

Repeat reading this weekly as needed, until there is a change. I'd
rather they continue to make a quality product instead of hand holding.
I've gone through this a couple times for new Elecraft gear, it requires
patience.

The rest of us understand this; it is the birthing pangs of a complex
new product multiplied by the COVID19 situation. There is no deception,
no lying but file it under "S" because "Stuff" happens. ;-P

Rick NK7I

On 5/15/2020 11:13 AM, David Gilbert wrote:

>
> All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne
> or Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to
> those who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them
> regularly could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I
> ever will, but I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money
> for ANY item with this little regular feedback on its shipping status
> since I can't think of a good excuse for it. From what I've seen,
> just about every status email from Elecraft has talked about K4
> feature issues instead of when it might actually be delivered ... so
> no, I don't think that's being very transparent. A year is a very
> long time to have your money tied up, and along with that comes some
> measure of responsibility to account for it.
>
> 73,
> Dave AB7E
>
>
> On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:
>> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been
>> transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the
>> last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by
>> now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have
>> shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit
>> beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>>
>> 73,
>> David - N5DCH
>>
>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft
>>> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4,
>>> with a full deposit.
>>>
>>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would
>>> appreciate a status report.
>>>
>>> Tom W4KX
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Carl Yaffey

Re: K4???

I understand all that and am trying to be patient. My issue is at age 78 I might die before I see my K4!
73, K8NU

> On May 15, 2020, at 2:25 PM, Rick NK7I <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Then here is your weekly status report:
>
> They're working on improving the firmware (notes posted to the reflector a couple DAYS ago made note of this).
> They're having (like much of the world) issues in getting hard dates for the bits and pieces to make more K4 (newsletter last month).
> When released from house arrest, they will be back at the job awaiting the parts they've ordered so they can build more (newsletter).
> When that is going to be, is anyone's guess for CA. (Duh)
>
> Repeat reading this weekly as needed, until there is a change. I'd rather they continue to make a quality product instead of hand holding. I've gone through this a couple times for new Elecraft gear, it requires patience.
>
> The rest of us understand this; it is the birthing pangs of a complex new product multiplied by the COVID19 situation. There is no deception, no lying but file it under "S" because "Stuff" happens. ;-P
>
> Rick NK7I

David Herring

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

When we ordered our K4s last year, we all knew that the machine was still in development. We all knew that it was going to be months before it would be ready. And unless we were irretrievably daft, we all had to have known that delays were likely. There have been no secrets here. This was an investment in a future technology and we provided the venture capital. With the communications that occurred around the initial deposit, along with the occasional post on this reflector and the occasional newsletter giving updates on this product, they have been adequately transparent.

There is no way in the world that a weekly update is necessary or practical.

73,
David - N5DCH

> On May 15, 2020, at 12:13 PM, David Gilbert <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne or Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to those who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them regularly could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I ever will, but I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money for ANY item with this little regular feedback on its shipping status since I can't think of a good excuse for it. From what I've seen, just about every status email from Elecraft has talked about K4 feature issues instead of when it might actually be delivered ... so no, I don't think that's being very transparent. A year is a very long time to have your money tied up, and along with that comes some measure of responsibility to account for it.
>
> 73,
> Dave AB7E
>
>
> On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:
>> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>>
>> 73,
>> David - N5DCH
>>
>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>>>
>>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>>>
>>> Tom W4KX
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

David Gilbert

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Rick Bates, NK7I

Don't put words in my mouth ... I never said anything about lies or
deception. And your post is exactly the kind of "status report" that is
useless to anyone who cares.

I'd bet money that most of what Elecraft has ordered has some sort of
projected delivery date, even if it is out many weeks. In fact, I'd bet
that they demand it (even if speculative) from their suppliers. And
Elecraft must have some idea how long it would take for them to restart
assembly once they get parts and supplies. It seems like it would be
possible to give a rough K4 delivery guestimate based upon that
information even it is was subject to weekly or monthly change. As it
stands now, people like W4KX don't have a clue whether they will get
their K4 before the end of the year even if California opens up in
June. That seems unreasonable to me for a $4,000 investment.

You can spin this any way you want, but like I said, it doesn't require
hand holding from anybody other than a clerk with access to Wayne or
Eric to send out an update with an actual time frame associated with it.

Dave AB7E

On 5/15/2020 11:25 AM, Rick NK7I wrote:

> Then here is your weekly status report:
>
> They're working on improving the firmware (notes posted to the
> reflector a couple DAYS ago made note of this).
> They're having (like much of the world) issues in getting hard dates
> for the bits and pieces to make more K4 (newsletter last month).
> When released from house arrest, they will be back at the job awaiting
> the parts they've ordered so they can build more (newsletter).
> When that is going to be, is anyone's guess for CA. (Duh)
>
> Repeat reading this weekly as needed, until there is a change. I'd
> rather they continue to make a quality product instead of hand
> holding. I've gone through this a couple times for new Elecraft gear,
> it requires patience.
>
> The rest of us understand this; it is the birthing pangs of a complex
> new product multiplied by the COVID19 situation. There is no
> deception, no lying but file it under "S" because "Stuff" happens. ;-P
>
> Rick NK7I
>
>
> On 5/15/2020 11:13 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
>>
>> All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne
>> or Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to
>> those who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them
>> regularly could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I
>> ever will, but I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money
>> for ANY item with this little regular feedback on its shipping status
>> since I can't think of a good excuse for it. From what I've seen,
>> just about every status email from Elecraft has talked about K4
>> feature issues instead of when it might actually be delivered ... so
>> no, I don't think that's being very transparent. A year is a very
>> long time to have your money tied up, and along with that comes some
>> measure of responsibility to account for it.
>>
>> 73,
>> Dave AB7E
>>
>>
>> On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:
>>> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have
>>> been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for
>>> the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping
>>> by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state
>>> have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a
>>> bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> David - N5DCH
>>>
>>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft
>>>> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4,
>>>> with a full deposit.
>>>>
>>>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would
>>>> appreciate a status report.
>>>>
>>>> Tom W4KX
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Grant Youngman-2

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by David Herring

The most important update is on the Santa Cruz County website where you can find the latest SIP order from the county, in more detail than you probably want to read. Who can go to work, who can’t, what you can actually DO at your place of business, and on and on in unbridled bureaucratic detail .. :-)

Grant NQ5T

> On May 15, 2020, at 2:32 PM, David Herring <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
>
> There is no way in the world that a weekly update is necessary or practical.
>

______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Gwen Patton

Re: K4???

When considering a case such as this, one must look first at the
fundamental differences between QUOTES and ESTIMATES.

You can hold someone to a quote. You CAN'T hold someone to an ESTIMATE.

Nobody has had a quote on a date for the K4 to be shipped. This is
important.

Patience. Selah.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Fri, May 15, 2020 at 2:57 PM Grant Youngman <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The most important update is on the Santa Cruz County website where you
> can find the latest SIP order from the county, in more detail than you
> probably want to read. Who can go to work, who can’t, what you can
> actually DO at your place of business, and on and on in unbridled
> bureaucratic detail .. :-)
>
> Grant NQ5T
>
> > On May 15, 2020, at 2:32 PM, David Herring <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > There is no way in the world that a weekly update is necessary or
> practical.
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Rick Bates, NK7I

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

I'm sure when they have something worth saying, it will be said;
continuing on what they've done to date. They are never prone to the
blah blah updates of other companies but give out new or updated info
when they have it, as always. It's clear, concise, to the point and not
redundant; refreshing for a company to provide it's customers; with
minimal sales ego too.

With most of the planet on hold, they're doing what can be done (with CA
issuing one of the more Draconian mandates to it's subjects) and made it
clear that they're as frustrated as you clearly are; they want to get
back into the business of selling their products and helping customers.
They're also wise enough to know that no one can DEMAND information from
suppliers; it's bad business and no one really knows yet, these waters
are untested.

Recap: When they have something of merit to say, they will, as they
always have.

[Rumbles from knowledgeable sources have been heard in CA that the house
arrest will continue there through Aug. That likely puts shipping off
for this year if/when Elecraft can ramp up at that time. But NO ONE
knows yet.]

Suck it up, the rest of us are going through the same things with little
to no whining.

I suggest a socially distant walk in the sunlight (which kills the virus
AND calms the spirit); repeat often.

Try to have a better day,
Rick NK7I

On 5/15/2020 11:54 AM, David Gilbert wrote:

>
> Don't put words in my mouth ... I never said anything about lies or
> deception. And your post is exactly the kind of "status report" that
> is useless to anyone who cares.
>
> I'd bet money that most of what Elecraft has ordered has some sort of
> projected delivery date, even if it is out many weeks. In fact, I'd
> bet that they demand it (even if speculative) from their suppliers.
> And Elecraft must have some idea how long it would take for them to
> restart assembly once they get parts and supplies. It seems like it
> would be possible to give a rough K4 delivery guestimate based upon
> that information even it is was subject to weekly or monthly change.
> As it stands now, people like W4KX don't have a clue whether they will
> get their K4 before the end of the year even if California opens up in
> June. That seems unreasonable to me for a $4,000 investment.
>
> You can spin this any way you want, but like I said, it doesn't
> require hand holding from anybody other than a clerk with access to
> Wayne or Eric to send out an update with an actual time frame
> associated with it.
>
> Dave AB7E
>
>
>
> On 5/15/2020 11:25 AM, Rick NK7I wrote:
>> Then here is your weekly status report:
>>
>> They're working on improving the firmware (notes posted to the
>> reflector a couple DAYS ago made note of this).
>> They're having (like much of the world) issues in getting hard dates
>> for the bits and pieces to make more K4 (newsletter last month).
>> When released from house arrest, they will be back at the job
>> awaiting the parts they've ordered so they can build more (newsletter).
>> When that is going to be, is anyone's guess for CA. (Duh)
>>
>> Repeat reading this weekly as needed, until there is a change. I'd
>> rather they continue to make a quality product instead of hand
>> holding. I've gone through this a couple times for new Elecraft
>> gear, it requires patience.
>>
>> The rest of us understand this; it is the birthing pangs of a complex
>> new product multiplied by the COVID19 situation. There is no
>> deception, no lying but file it under "S" because "Stuff" happens. ;-P
>>
>> Rick NK7I
>>
>>
>> On 5/15/2020 11:13 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
>>>
>>> All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne
>>> or Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to
>>> those who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them
>>> regularly could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I
>>> ever will, but I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money
>>> for ANY item with this little regular feedback on its shipping
>>> status since I can't think of a good excuse for it. From what I've
>>> seen, just about every status email from Elecraft has talked about
>>> K4 feature issues instead of when it might actually be delivered ...
>>> so no, I don't think that's being very transparent. A year is a
>>> very long time to have your money tied up, and along with that comes
>>> some measure of responsibility to account for it.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Dave AB7E
>>>
>>>
>>> On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:
>>>> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have
>>>> been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for
>>>> the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping
>>>> by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state
>>>> have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a
>>>> bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> David - N5DCH
>>>>
>>>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft
>>>>> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4,
>>>>> with a full deposit.
>>>>>
>>>>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would
>>>>> appreciate a status report.
>>>>>
>>>>> Tom W4KX
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
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>>>
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>> ______________________________________________________________
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>>
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>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Gus Holcomb

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Hey guys,
If anyone is feeling anxious about their K4 delivery date and wants to
get bought out of their place in line, I would be happy to facilitate.
Looking for K4D, ideally. ;)

Feel free to contact me directly.

Best,
Gus Holcomb
KM6YXB
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Doug Turnbull

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

Friends,
If you are unhappy Elecraft will refund your money. That said, I too would like more information and would think that merely having put a deposit down would mean you would get updates either on this forum or in the Elecraft Newsletter.
I would like to know how much additional delay is likely for those in the EU as we must wait for CE approval before Elecraft can export to us. This is something like UL approval in the States. It is not a trade barrier but a safety certification. It would be interesting to know once manufacturing starts how long Elecraft estimate the time for CE approval to be granted. Of course there may be delays in this process due to Covid 19. I am happy to leave my deposit with Elecraft but then it does not affect putting food on the table. Again if you want you can get your money back but it would be really nice to hear more about plans, problems and improvements to firmware. It would also be good to be given specifications ala Sherwood Engineering but done by Elecraft. They must know what the K4 is achieving in its different configurations. Maybe this it tipping Elecraft's hand to the competition. We are all being cooped up and getting a bit anxious. At least we have something to look forward to.

73 Doug EI2CN
-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of David Gilbert
Sent: Friday 15 May 2020 18:13
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4???

All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne or Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to those who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them regularly could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I ever will, but I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money for ANY item with this little regular feedback on its shipping status since I can't think of a good excuse for it. From what I've seen, just about every status email from Elecraft has talked about K4 feature issues instead of when it might actually be delivered ... so no, I don't think that's being very transparent. A year is a very long time to have your money tied up, and along with that comes some measure of responsibility to account for it.

73,
Dave AB7E

On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:

> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been
> transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last
> year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT
> that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down
> one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric &
> Wayne’s control at this point…
>
> 73,
> David - N5DCH
>
>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>>
>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>>
>> Tom W4KX

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

All I have asked is honest information. Sad that Elecraft fails to respond to customers, especially those who have placed advance deposits.

Sent from my iPad

> On May 15, 2020, at 2:55 PM, David Gilbert <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Don't put words in my mouth ... I never said anything about lies or deception. And your post is exactly the kind of "status report" that is useless to anyone who cares.
>
> I'd bet money that most of what Elecraft has ordered has some sort of projected delivery date, even if it is out many weeks. In fact, I'd bet that they demand it (even if speculative) from their suppliers. And Elecraft must have some idea how long it would take for them to restart assembly once they get parts and supplies. It seems like it would be possible to give a rough K4 delivery guestimate based upon that information even it is was subject to weekly or monthly change. As it stands now, people like W4KX don't have a clue whether they will get their K4 before the end of the year even if California opens up in June. That seems unreasonable to me for a $4,000 investment.
>
> You can spin this any way you want, but like I said, it doesn't require hand holding from anybody other than a clerk with access to Wayne or Eric to send out an update with an actual time frame associated with it.
>
> Dave AB7E
>
>
>
>> On 5/15/2020 11:25 AM, Rick NK7I wrote:
>> Then here is your weekly status report:
>>
>> They're working on improving the firmware (notes posted to the reflector a couple DAYS ago made note of this).
>> They're having (like much of the world) issues in getting hard dates for the bits and pieces to make more K4 (newsletter last month).
>> When released from house arrest, they will be back at the job awaiting the parts they've ordered so they can build more (newsletter).
>> When that is going to be, is anyone's guess for CA. (Duh)
>>
>> Repeat reading this weekly as needed, until there is a change. I'd rather they continue to make a quality product instead of hand holding. I've gone through this a couple times for new Elecraft gear, it requires patience.
>>
>> The rest of us understand this; it is the birthing pangs of a complex new product multiplied by the COVID19 situation. There is no deception, no lying but file it under "S" because "Stuff" happens. ;-P
>>
>> Rick NK7I
>>
>>
>>> On 5/15/2020 11:13 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
>>>
>>> All of that is true, except that it doesn't take somebody like Wayne or Eric or any of their engineers to draft a weekly status report to those who have put down a deposit. Anybody who speaks with them regularly could do it. I haven't ordered a K4 and don't know if I ever will, but I'd be pretty upset to have put down that much money for ANY item with this little regular feedback on its shipping status since I can't think of a good excuse for it. From what I've seen, just about every status email from Elecraft has talked about K4 feature issues instead of when it might actually be delivered ... so no, I don't think that's being very transparent. A year is a very long time to have your money tied up, and along with that comes some measure of responsibility to account for it.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Dave AB7E
>>>
>>>
>>> On 5/15/2020 10:08 AM, David Herring wrote:
>>>> A lot of us are in the same place you are, but Eric & Wayne have been transparent about how long this was going to take and why for the last year or so. Last I heard the K4 was to have been shipping by now, BUT that's kind of hard to do when one’s county and state have shut down one's manufacturing plant due to coronavirus. IMHO a bit beyond Eric & Wayne’s control at this point…
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> David - N5DCH
>>>>
>>>>> On May 15, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> It has been exactly 52 weeks since I placed an order for the K4, with a full deposit.
>>>>>
>>>>> I truly understand all of the current difficulties, but would appreciate a status report.
>>>>>
>>>>> Tom W4KX
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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>
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K4???

In reply to this post by Grant Youngman-2

On 5/15/2020 11:56 AM, Grant Youngman wrote:
> Who can go to work, who can’t, what you can actually DO at your place of business, and on and on in unbridled bureaucratic detail ..

As 78 year old residents of Santa Cruz County, my wife and I remain VERY
happy with our statistics -- two deaths, 146 cases in the entire county.
And this in the face of folks from Silicon Valley and San Francisco
driving down to hang out on our beaches, and driving sports cars and
motorcycles up and down our roads like it's the Grand Prix. I don't view
that as the result of "unbridled bureaucratic detail," but rather the
people we elected to run our state and local government doing their jobs!

73, Jim K9YC
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