Katsumi "Naky" Nakata, KE6RD/JE3AVS--seen here at Dayton Hamvention 2000--headed the USA Alinco Branch in Torrance, California. Alinco will be back at Dayton later this month. [ARRL Photo]
Katsumi "Naky" Nakata, KE6RD/JE3AVS--seen here at Dayton Hamvention 2000--headed the USA Alinco Branch in Torrance, California. Alinco will be back at Dayton later this month. [ARRL Photo] |
NEWINGTON, CT, May 8, 2001--Amateur Radio manufacturer Alinco has closed its US branch in Torrance, California, headed by Katsumi "Naky" Nakata, KE6RD/JE3AVS, and shifted its North American distribution to an Ohio firm. Alinco product distribution and customer service now are being handled by Atoc Amateur Distributing LLC in Covington, Ohio. The change was effective May 1.
A news release posted on the Alinco Web site says that Alinco will continue to be "a very committed, viable player in the Amateur Radio marketplace" and that all Alinco warranties "will remain in force and continue to be honored through their term." Alinco will exhibit at Dayton Hamvention later this month and will sponsor the W8BI special event station in the outdoor exhibits area as it has in past years.
In addition to dealer distribution, the Atoc facility in Ohio is taking over customer support and out-of-warranty service of Alinco products and sales of Alinco parts. Parts sales have been temporarily suspended during the changeover, and service could be disrupted for a time as well. "We are sorry that due to this transition our service capabilities are very limited at this moment," Alinco said in requesting its customers' patience and understanding until the Ohio facility "becomes fully functional."
Alinco says that units in for repair at the Torrance office were to be fixed and returned to owners during April, while units in transit will be transferred to Ohio for repair. Alinco said owners will be notified by mail as to the status of their units. The company requested that owners hold inquiries until May 20, after Dayton Hamvention.
 The DJ-C5T "credit card" dualbander by Alinco. [Alinco Photo] |
Alinco said the transition should be seamless for dealers. Evelyn Garrison, WS7A, a long-time Alinco associate, will continue to represent the Alinco line for the new organization.
Alinco is the manufacturer of the DX-70 and DX-77 HF/VHF transceivers as well as a full line of mobile-base and hand-held units, including the DJ-C5T "credit card" VHF-UHF transceiver, and the DJ-195T that includes an experimental "mosquito repel" feature (the unit emits an electronic tone to keep the annoying insects away from the radio's vicinity). The company also manufactures Family Radio Service and marine radios, communications receivers and other accessories, including power supplies.
 Former ARRL staffer Al Brogdon, W1AB, operates the Alinco station at the Dayton Hamvention. [ARRL Photo] |
Atoc Amateur Distributing is headed by members of the Cota family, who also manufacture and distribute the Iron Horse and ATOC lines of antenna and radio accessories. The Iron Horse line also includes OEM and after-market accessories for large vehicles such as RVs, busses and trucks. The Cota family also created and distributed Valor radio accessories in the past.
The announcement said Alinco will concentrate on designing and manufacturing products from its Japan headquarters in Osaka and factory in Toyama. Alinco said that, in addition to its ham radio line, the company will continue to branch into design and manufacture of such items as scanners and power supplies for the general, institutional and military markets.
For more information, visit the Alinco Web site or contact Atoc Distributing LLC, 23 S High St, Covington, OH 45318; 937-473-2840, or Evelyn Garrison, WS7A, 425-557-9611.
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