A week ago or so there were quite a few messages about Kenwood's alledged plan to market ham radio gear in non-traditional places. I wrote to Paul Middleton about it at Kenwood and he responded with a copy of Kenwood's official position on the plan.. I offer it here for what it's worth:

June 10, 1996

An Open Letter to the Amateur Radio Community,

On May 21, Kenwood announced plans to extend our marketing program with increased distribution. Much research, thought and consideration went into this decision. It was clear to us that some might question the distribution of ham radios outside the traditional Amateur dealer network. When we looked at where Amateur radio is today, and where it is going to be in ten years at the present rate of decline, the future looks bleak. At our biggest hamfests in the country, there are always fewer people in attendance.

We are surrounded by many new and exciting communication products. On one side we have cellular phone and the other side we have internet phone. In the middle we have a well known radio electronics specialty chain selling all types of communication products including Amateur radios. New modes of communicating continue to enter into the world. Soon we will see GMRS products (no license required) introduced to the masses. It is also obvious that the rate of no-code licensees is slowing down with fewer and fewer people upgrading. Amateur radio dealers should be more interested in attracting new people to our hobby. Every current Amateur operator who wants this hobby to continue should be promoting ham radio to non-hams. The current direction will only mean fewer hams, fewer radios, fewer manufacturers, as most importantly to everyone, fewer frequencies allocated to Amateur service by the FCC.

In reality, well over 50% of all current ham operators started out with some type of simple mode radio. Even more ironic, many current Amateur radio dealers started their businesses with and are still currently selling other types radio communications. Many frequencies are currently unused. These bands, in light of the recent frequency auctions, (1.2 GHz, 220 and 440 MHz) are worth millions of dollars on the open market for the FCC. Consider this and then read the current proposal for LEOS to use the 2 meter and 440 bands.

The world constantly changes along with cultures, their habits and beliefs. The tests of our integrity as people is to grow in spirit along with change. This is the test that faces Amateur Radio today. page 2

The objectives are the following from Kenwood.

1) Work hard to expand the hobby to insure it’s perpetuation and survival.

2) Expose the hobby of ham radio to more people in more locations. There are approximately 50 retail stores serving hams throughout the USA. We currently have about 690,000 licensed hams with 250,000,000 in total population. We think more people would become responsible operators if they are directly exposed to Amateur Radio.

3) Invest in a new, one of a kind, educational pamphlet about ham radio and how to become involved.

4) Invest in providing more study guide materials to people so they can learn the responsible way to become a ham radio operator.

5) Provide incentives to schools and clubs to bring new operators into ham radio and provide proper education.

6) Provide incentives to upgrade beyond the no-code tech license.

7) Enhance public safety and local crime prevention activities so that ham radio operators can support their communities.

8) Work with and help develop a stronger national disaster response organization that the Amateur radio community and your neighbors can be excited and proud to be a part.

I want to personally thank all those who have expressed their opinions to Kenwood. Although the feelings are mixed, we firmly believe that the positives of our plans greatly out number the negatives. In light of the facts we have presented here, I would like to invite those with constructive ideas to join in our efforts to strengthen Amateur radio. With everyone’s help we will make Amateur Radio better and more enjoyable for everyone in the years to come.

Sincerely,

KENWOOD COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

Paul Middleton KD6NUH
National Sales Manager
Amateur Radio Products Group

Back to the Kenwood August 13, 1996, letter
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