Well, I'm willing to give this new guy a chance, because lord knows, we 
need more local dealers and service providers. ...  I guess that's part of 
what's driving me to hang in there a bit longer.

You simply can't beat the personal service and commitment that locally-run 
businesses typically provide.  Unfortunately, they seem to be a dying breed 
today.

Will keep everyone posted.

73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 10:13 PM
Subject: Re: VGS1 voice chips


> For many years there was a local ham store near us.  His prices were
> a bit highte than the big stores, but he always took the time to
> explain equipment, would often personally bring it to the house and
> gave lots more service than the stores that work nationally.  Of
> course I have bought from AES and HRO, but working with Roberto was
> always much more fulfilling.  He finally couldn't keep up and closed shop.
> Pat, K9JAUAt 06:36 PM 12/17/2007, you wrote:
>>     Yup, I hear you, Chris.
>>
>>This is one of the reasons that small locally-run businesses like this one
>>have such a hard time surviving.
>>
>>As I say, I'm willing to support the local guys, but there are limits and
>>practical concerns too.
>>
>>73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Chris Schulte" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 7:03 PM
>>Subject: Re: VGS1 voice chips
>>
>>
>> > Not to mention that not only will you have to pay shipping for the 
>> > radio
>> > I'm
>> > assuming, but I know you'll have to pay the six percent sales tax that 
>> > we
>> > have here in Michigan.
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> > Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:52 PM
>> > Subject: Re: VGS1 voice chips
>> >
>> >
>> >>    Colin:
>> >>
>> >> Well, I hear what you're saying, and have just forwarded Steve's info
>> >> onto
>> >> the dealer.
>> >>
>> >> This is a new guy who is actually trying to make a go of a ham radio
>> >> dealership in our part of Michigan, so I want to support him. ... But, 
>> >> as
>> >> you say, there are limits.
>> >>
>> >> Will wait to see what his response is.
>> >>
>> >> This obviously is one of the drawbacks of dealing with a smaller
>> >> operation
>> >> like this, I guess.
>> >>
>> >> 73 from Tom Behler:  Kb8TYJ
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> >> From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
>> >> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> >> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:46 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: VGS1 voice chips
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> not a good faith jesture? Are you kidding?
>> >>> yep, much better to wait for a month or more to get your radio then
>> >>> possibly
>> >>> get the part yourself and have your radio in a few days.
>> >>> If your dealer is using only one supplier, and that supplier doesn't
>> >>> have
>> >>> the necesary part, then it is in your dealers best interest to move
>> >>> heaven
>> >>> and earth to find you the necesary part and get you your
>> >>> radio...although
>> >>> if
>> >>> your interest is keeping good faith, then the dealer really isn't 
>> >>> under
>> >>> any
>> >>> pressure to do anything for you.
>> >>> Get the radio from HRO with the vg1 installed and it will probably 
>> >>> cost
>> >>> you
>> >>> less anyway.
>> >>> 73
>> >>> Colin, V A6BKX
>> >>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>> From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>> >>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> >>> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 4:42 PM
>> >>> Subject: Re: VGS1 voice chips
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>>     Steve:
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Well, I don't know what the "hold up" on the VGS1 is from my 
>> >>>> dealer's
>> >>>> suppliers either.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I'm almost half tempted to order one myself, and just have it put in
>> >>>> when
>> >>> he
>> >>>> gets the radio, but that probably wouldn't be a "good faith" gesture 
>> >>>> on
>> >>>> my
>> >>>> part.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Anyway, thanks for this info.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Also, good work on the TW2 order;  you probably did a smart thing
>> >>>> there.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>> >>>>
>> >>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>>> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
>> >>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> >>>> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:36 PM
>> >>>> Subject: Re: VGS1 voice chips
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> > Hi Tom,
>> >>>> >
>> >>>> > For what it's worth, HRO, Giga Parts, and R and L, all show  the 
>> >>>> > VGS1
>> >>>> > as
>> >>>> > being in stock.  No idea why your guy can't get one.   Good luck 
>> >>>> > with
>> >>> the
>> >>>> > new rig, hope to see you on the air.
>> >>>> >
>> >>>> > BTW, I got the last TW-2 that HRO had today.   Has to come from 
>> >>>> > the
>> >>>> > Portland
>> >>>> > store.   Some of the other dealers seem to have small numbers of 
>> >>>> > both
>> >>>> > units,
>> >>>> > and perhaps LDG will ship more before pulling the plug, but I 
>> >>>> > figured
>> >>>> > I
>> >>>> > better grab one.
>> >>>> >
>> >>>> > 73, Steve KW3A
>> >>>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> >>>> > From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>> >>>> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> >>>> > Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 3:52 PM
>> >>>> > Subject: VGS1 voice chips
>> >>>> >
>> >>>> >
>> >>>> >> Hi, all.
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >> I have "special ordered" my Kenwood TS480 HF rig from a local ham
>> >>> dealer
>> >>>> >> here in Michigan, and, apparently, the hold-up with the order is
>> >>>> >> that
>> >>> the
>> >>>> >> VGS1 voice chip is currently on "back order".
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >> The dealer I'm working with says that this is what his supplier 
>> >>>> >> is
>> >>>> >> telling
>> >>>> >> him.
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >> I honestly don't think the dealer is giving me the "run around". 
>> >>>> >> I
>> >>> just
>> >>>> >> think he's going on what his supplier is saying.
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >> I'm just curious as to whether others have run into this problem,
>> >>>> >> and
>> >>> if
>> >>>> >> anyone has any ideas as to how I might help expedite things here.
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >> Thanks, and 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >>
>> >>>> >
>> >>>> >
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> --
>> >>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> >>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> >>>> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1187 - Release Date:
>> >>> 12/16/2007 11:36 AM
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>
>