Hi Peter, I would disagree about support and repairs of LDG, its a good product rarely goes wrong in the first place, the engineers that have been dealing with any issues over the last few years in the UK are pretty seasoned and professional when dealing with any repair.. As for counterfeit diamond products any reputable company would be foolish to send out fake goods.. You also mention Kenwood a fair bit I would love to see the source of this info as I do wonder about its integrity.. I love your antenna videos keep them coming, all the best Gaz
I used the word “support” and NOT repairs, for a reason I cannot expand on. I can still buy fake Diamond but we are legally not able to name anybody. As for Kenwood, we are all waiting to see. 73 Peter.
@@watersstanton OK, I’ll never understand business, life is too short for bitterness, looking forward to the next instalment of hands on HamRadio.. always informative.. thanks again Peter.. all the best, Gaz
Interesting update Peter, thanks. I've had a Diamond X50 colinear fed by 10m of UR67 on the gable of my house for 33 years, and it's still giving great service, in fact it's on its second pair of steel brackets! I live on the South Downs, a mile from the clifftop east of Brighton so it's been subject to Channel storms and salt spray. You are absolutely correct in yor advice to pay the extra for the genuine article - Diamond are well worth the money. Keep up the good work, I've become an avid follower:-)
Good update on the K4. Diamond - ah that explains why I thought it was rubbish …. It wasn’t a Diamond! Definitely good your still around. Stay safe and keep above the daisies hi hi!
You could go to customs and mail out the Elecraft in front of them. Seriously though, when I shipped my Icom to the Icom service center, they shipped my radio back with a work order that contained a description of parts that were replaced, work that was done, and the serial number of the radio. I'm not sure if Elecraft will provide the same information, but either way a radio owner can etch or engrave his call sign onto the radio somewhere. Upon receiving it at customs, it will already have your call sign & that will show that it was paid for in the past.
Thanks Peter, interesting video. An idea if you are looking for material for a future video. Please will you take us on a tour of your operations. Introduce your staff on the video, show us your workshop, and your stocks. I just saw a brief picture, and it is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It would also be good to put a face to the staff we talk to on the phone and exchange emails with. Thanks
Not fair you get to play with all this good stuff, thanks for the heads up on fake Diamond aerials. I used to be Kenwood through and through but alas it seems as though their business interests seem to be elsewhere. The K4 looks to be a stunner and will no doubt set the bar for others to follow. Big KX3 fan and it’s long in the tooth in comparison with the IC705 but stands up incredibly well. Take care and thanks 👍🏻
Yaesu did suffer from shortages. They had to cease production of the FT450D to build the FTDX10. It also pushed them up market, unless you count the FT818. I would expect them to come out with a new portable HF at some point as the 818 is starting to look out of date.
Please DO NOT scaremonger potential buyers of Kenwood because they do not release products every year. Kenwood HAM radio is headed up by a HAM JA6QXW Toshio Torii and the HAM radio dept is still active just releasing a software update this month (July 2021) for the TS-890. They have also continued to release updates for the past 8 years for their flagship TS-990. Not bad for a radio released in 2013! Kenwood communications is a small branch of a large tree JVC Kenwood and subsidiaries through the world that produce more than HAM radio gear. Be patient and remember, good things to come to those that wait 😉 73
So firmware updates but no new gear. No changer there then! I was told all this last year. As they closed their London ham ooeration down, 2 tears ago we niw have no direct contavt. We just wait and hope. Peter.
@@watersstanton Looks like the Official Kenwood UK importer has a different story to yours Peter. New Kenwood models on there way! czcams.com/video/-e4VCLyrE_c/video.html
Hi, great video. I am new very new.. dont have my radio yet, but looking at Yaesu FT-450D - I have a postage stamp of a garden and can only really mount a antenna to my chimmy pot. its a bunglaow so not so high. what would u recommend?anyone can come back to me.
The Kenwood TS-990 and particularly the TS-890 are newish and are fabulous rigs. What they need though, is a compact version of their TS-890. Something to compete on the level of the outstanding IC-7300. I was a staunch customer of Kenwood through the 1980's and 1990's. Their TS-50s was ground breaking when it was unveiled. Never before had a manufacturer produced a full featured 100 watt HF transceiver the size of a 2 meter rig. I bought about 4 or 5 of those in the 1990's decade. The advert showed a TS-50 perched on top of a car tyre. I'm mostly a staunch Icom customer now..
Just checked on the packaging on the bag of the diamond x-50 and I believe it to be fake no barcode on packaging on the top of the bag where the hanging loop is a tiny label made in Taiwan which I purchased from which I thought to be a reputable dealer
@@watersstanton contacted seller they reckon its the genuine item where to go now trading standards or cut my losses and bin it and buy something else or get into wrangling with paypal
Send it to Waters & Stanton so they can identify it as either genuine or fake. Do not go bad mouthing any companies without 100% proof, you do not want to end up with a court case on your hands.
@@z1100a2 turns out to be genuine as there are 2 ways to identify a genuine one fake has a triangle in the letter E in the word antenna ,and the genuine one has a diamond in the letter E , also there is a criss cross diamond design on the yellow packaging inside plastic of the bag
Many years ago I was given very good and honest advice about a bit of non radio equipment by a member of the W&S staff, basically the product would not suit the way I would use it. A significant amount of time passed and I wanted a specific model of radio, tbh I could have bought it from dealers more local to me at the time but the previous good advice made me buy it from yourselves. The rumours about Kenwood leaving the amateur radio market have been bubbling away for 40 years, they might just surprise us....
Mr Waters you are doing yourself and Kenwood no favours, I am quite sure Kenwood will be around a lot longer than you! There are thousands around the UK and the world that own and would buy Kenwood Amateur radio gear again and again without question. Manufacturers are having hell of a time at the moment, shut up and give them a break..
Im a relatively new ham and can't help feeling that if Kenwood drag their feet for much longer there wont be enough hams around to even remember they exist. They have nothing compelling in my price range and no reason to be loyal brand wise to justify defending them.
I’m likewise curious about Kenwood. I was a “Kenwood Guy” for years. Now I have an IC-705 and an IC-7300. Also looking at Icom’s new ID-52 HT which can share batteries with the 705. Kenwood just doesn’t have these offerings.
@@watersstanton Fact? Kenwood have not closed their office in UK, they have re-located from their London office to a new office in Watford. The Australian office is also still open. Check your facts before posting
Great,Thanks for the up-dates.
Hi Peter, I would disagree about support and repairs of LDG, its a good product rarely goes wrong in the first place, the engineers that have been dealing with any issues over the last few years in the UK are pretty seasoned and professional when dealing with any repair.. As for counterfeit diamond products any reputable company would be foolish to send out fake goods.. You also mention Kenwood a fair bit I would love to see the source of this info as I do wonder about its integrity.. I love your antenna videos keep them coming, all the best Gaz
I used the word “support” and NOT repairs, for a reason I cannot expand on. I can still buy fake Diamond but we are legally not
able to name anybody. As for Kenwood, we are all waiting to see. 73 Peter.
@@watersstanton OK, I’ll never understand business, life is too short for bitterness, looking forward to the next instalment of hands on HamRadio.. always informative.. thanks again Peter.. all the best, Gaz
Nice work Peter. Thanks for the info!
Many thanks. 73 Peter
Interesting update Peter, thanks. I've had a Diamond X50 colinear fed by 10m of UR67 on the gable of my house for 33 years, and it's still giving great service, in fact it's on its second pair of steel brackets! I live on the South Downs, a mile from the clifftop east of Brighton so it's been subject to Channel storms and salt spray. You are absolutely correct in yor advice to pay the extra for the genuine article - Diamond are well worth the money. Keep up the good work, I've become an avid follower:-)
Many thanks Jeff. Great to hear. 73 Peter
Good update on the K4. Diamond - ah that explains why I thought it was rubbish …. It wasn’t a Diamond! Definitely good your still around. Stay safe and keep above the daisies hi hi!
Thanks 👍 73 Peter
I got the KXAT2 tuner last week, and after some testing I think it'd tune up a barbed wire fence if you were stuck for an antenna :)
It will tune a piece of linguini!
Thanks for the good explanation pa3crl
My pleasure
Great video Peter, thanks. I see the IC-7851 has been discontinued. Do you know what's going to replace it, if anything?
No idea but pretty sure there will be a replacement. Thanks for your support. 73 Peter
You could go to customs and mail out the Elecraft in front of them. Seriously though, when I shipped my Icom to the Icom service center, they shipped my radio back with a work order that contained a description of parts that were replaced, work that was done, and the serial number of the radio. I'm not sure if Elecraft will provide the same information, but either way a radio owner can etch or engrave his call sign onto the radio somewhere. Upon receiving it at customs, it will already have your call sign & that will show that it was paid for in the past.
I don't think Customs work like that! Our experience is that Mr Jobsworth is not so co-operative!! But thanks for the comments. 73 Peter.
Thanks Peter, interesting video. An idea if you are looking for material for a future video. Please will you take us on a tour of your operations. Introduce your staff on the video, show us your workshop, and your stocks. I just saw a brief picture, and it is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It would also be good to put a face to the staff we talk to on the phone and exchange emails with. Thanks
Hi John, I will put it on the list. 73 Peter
Very interesting indeed....as usual....
Glad you think so!
Not fair you get to play with all this good stuff, thanks for the heads up on fake Diamond aerials. I used to be Kenwood through and through but alas it seems as though their business interests seem to be elsewhere. The K4 looks to be a stunner and will no doubt set the bar for others to follow. Big KX3 fan and it’s long in the tooth in comparison with the IC705 but stands up incredibly well. Take care and thanks 👍🏻
Hi Mike. Thanks fir comments. In fact I still get a kick out of valve gear. My home station for HF is simply an IC-7300 and EFHW, 73 Peter
Yaesu did suffer from shortages. They had to cease production of the FT450D to build the FTDX10. It also pushed them up market, unless you count the FT818. I would expect them to come out with a new portable HF at some point as the 818 is starting to look out of date.
I agree about FT-818 but I doubt a replacement is planned yet. 74 Pete3
@@watersstanton I just put a deposit down on a Lab 599 TX 500. FInally replacing my Alinco DX70 which I run on 10w portable.
Such a great shame nobody making ham transceivers in the UK.
M0nka makes the mcHF here.
Yup we nothing anymore.
Hi Peter, how are you managing a 4-6 week turnaround when Elecraft themselves are only just now shipping orders from 2019? Ian
Because we ordered them 18 months ago.
That told you
Please DO NOT scaremonger potential buyers of Kenwood because they do not release products every year. Kenwood HAM radio is headed up by a HAM JA6QXW Toshio Torii and the HAM radio dept is still active just releasing a software update this month (July 2021) for the TS-890. They have also continued to release updates for the past 8 years for their flagship TS-990. Not bad for a radio released in 2013! Kenwood communications is a small branch of a large tree JVC Kenwood and subsidiaries through the world that produce more than HAM radio gear. Be patient and remember, good things to come to those that wait 😉 73
So firmware updates but no new gear. No changer there then! I was told all this last year. As they closed their London ham ooeration down, 2 tears ago we niw have no direct contavt. We just wait and hope. Peter.
@@watersstanton Looks like the Official Kenwood UK importer has a different story to yours Peter. New Kenwood models on there way! czcams.com/video/-e4VCLyrE_c/video.html
@@watersstanton kenwoodcommunications.co.uk/amateur-radio/hf-all-mode/
JVC KENWOOD U.K. Ltd, Gleneagles, The Belfry, Colonial Way, Watford, WD24 4WH. 0208 208 7500
Looking forward to the review on the K4 and as to what it is up against, competitor wise.
Hi, great video. I am new very new.. dont have my radio yet, but looking at Yaesu FT-450D - I have a postage stamp of a garden and can only really mount a antenna to my chimmy pot. its a bunglaow so not so high. what would u recommend?anyone can come back to me.
I have a ken wood 590 and it is a nice radio.
Yes I agree. Kenwood made some great gear. Just need to know what the future plans are. 73 Peter
TenTec must not have made it to England. ? (by HAMS also) Ron W4BIN
Not currently available in UK. Thanksfor mentioning. 73 Peter.
The Kenwood TS-990 and particularly the TS-890 are newish and are fabulous rigs. What they need though, is a compact version of their TS-890. Something to compete on the level of the outstanding IC-7300. I was a staunch customer of Kenwood through the 1980's and 1990's. Their TS-50s was ground breaking when it was unveiled. Never before had a manufacturer produced a full featured 100 watt HF transceiver the size of a 2 meter rig. I bought about 4 or 5 of those in the 1990's decade. The advert showed a TS-50 perched on top of a car tyre. I'm mostly a staunch Icom customer now..
yes I agree. In fact I owned a TS-50 myself. 73 Peter.
Just checked on the packaging on the bag of the diamond x-50 and I believe it to be fake no barcode on packaging on the top of the bag where the hanging loop is a tiny label made in Taiwan which I purchased from which I thought to be a reputable dealer
I believe some Diamond products are made in Taiwan but very unusual not to be bar coded. 73 Peter.
@@watersstanton contacted seller they reckon its the genuine item where to go now trading standards or cut my losses and bin it and buy something else or get into wrangling with paypal
Send it to Waters & Stanton so they can identify it as either genuine or fake.
Do not go bad mouthing any companies without 100% proof, you do not want to end up with a court case on your hands.
@@z1100a2 turns out to be genuine as there are 2 ways to identify a genuine one fake has a triangle in the letter E in the word antenna ,and the genuine one has a diamond in the letter E , also there is a criss cross diamond design on the yellow packaging inside plastic of the bag
Many years ago I was given very good and honest advice about a bit of non radio equipment by a member of the W&S staff, basically the product would not suit the way I would use it. A significant amount of time passed and I wanted a specific model of radio, tbh I could have bought it from dealers more local to me at the time but the previous good advice made me buy it from yourselves. The rumours about Kenwood leaving the amateur radio market have been bubbling away for 40 years, they might just surprise us....
Many thanks. Yes Kenwood may surprise us, but they need to get a move on! 73 Peter.
@@watersstanton there is gossip about but not the right platform to share it.
anan radio
Mr Waters you are doing yourself and Kenwood no favours, I am quite sure Kenwood will be around a lot longer than you! There are thousands around the UK and the world that own and would buy Kenwood Amateur radio gear again and again without question. Manufacturers are having hell of a time at the moment, shut up and give them a break..
The fact remains that they are falling behind and have closed down their London ham radio office and done the same in Australia.
So has the banking industry shut down and consolidated their branches but they still want folks money!
Im a relatively new ham and can't help feeling that if Kenwood drag their feet for much longer there wont be enough hams around to even remember they exist. They have nothing compelling in my price range and no reason to be loyal brand wise to justify defending them.
I’m likewise curious about Kenwood. I was a “Kenwood Guy” for years. Now I have an IC-705 and an IC-7300. Also looking at Icom’s new ID-52 HT which can share batteries with the 705. Kenwood just doesn’t have these offerings.
@@watersstanton Fact? Kenwood have not closed their office in UK, they have re-located from their London office to a new office in Watford. The Australian office is also still open. Check your facts before posting