{"id":47852,"date":"2021-02-19T08:14:47","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T12:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=47852"},"modified":"2021-02-19T08:14:47","modified_gmt":"2021-02-19T12:14:47","slug":"we-may-be-looking-at-severe-shortages-of-some-new-ham-radio-gear-due-to-akm-factory-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/we-may-be-looking-at-severe-shortages-of-some-new-ham-radio-gear-due-to-akm-factory-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"We may be looking at severe shortages of some new ham radio gear due to AKM factory fire"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

AKM Factory Fire (Image (Strata-Gee.com)<\/p><\/div>\n

Recently, I’ve received a number of emails from readers who are frustrated because new ham radio transceivers are out of stock and used prices have increased.<\/p>\n

At first, I thought this might be due to supply chain and logistics issues due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic. If it is, it’s only a partial explanation.<\/p>\n

As of this morning, I’ve heard from three trusted sources in the radio industry (from retailing and manufacturing) who tell me that the lack of inventory is a supply chain issue, but directly linked to the October 21, 2020 fire at Asahi Kasei Microsystems (AKM) Nobuoka semiconductor Plant \u201cFab2\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to Converge:<\/a><\/p>\n

“This factory mainly produces large-scale integrated circuits (LSI) used in audio equipment, home appliances, TCXO oscillator, and other products. Due to the recent fire, AKM has been forced to stop production and delays are to be expected.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fortunately, according to the article, AKM has been moving some IC production to external companies, but it could take some time to re-tool. A number of markets have been affected by this disruption including the pro audio industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There’s no need to panic<\/h1>\n

If you’ve been looking for a specific radio model, you may find that retailers have been back-ordered and can only offer a vague shipping timeline; 2-6 weeks out, for example.<\/p>\n

Some models (including the popular IC-7300, IC-705, Yaesu FT-DX10, and Yaesu FT-991A) are still in-stock at some retailers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Several readers have been trying to purchase the popular Yaesu FT-891 and found that no one has inventory at present.\u00a0 We may be looking at extended delays for this model and others once inventory is depleted.<\/p>\n

But again, I don’t think this is a panic situation. This supply chain disruption has been in play for a number of months already and you can bet the industry is already working on solutions.<\/p>\n

My advice would be that if you’re getting close to pulling the trigger on a new transceiver, if it’s in stock, I’d jump on it now. Otherwise, you’ll simply need to be patient as new inventory eventually makes its way back to retailer shelves. Used prices on some of these models may be inflated until new inventory returns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently, I’ve received a number of emails from readers who are frustrated because new ham radio transceivers are out of stock and used prices have increased. At first, I thought this might be due to supply chain and logistics issues due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic. If it is, it’s only a partial explanation. As […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[545,3],"tags":[9148,4102],"class_list":["post-47852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ham-radio","category-news","tag-akm-factory-fire","tag-ham-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-crO","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34308,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/10\/new-zealand-prohibits-unrestricted-two-way-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":47852,"position":0},"title":"New Zealand prohibits unrestricted two-way radios","author":"Thomas","date":"October 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) New Zealand's regulator\u00a0RSM\u00a0reports: In August, we mentioned creating a prohibition notice for unrestricted two-way radios. This was to limit the availability to the general public for radios that don\u2019t meet the Radio Standards. The prohibition notice is ready to gazette and will come into effect on 18\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/BaoFeng-UV-5R.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15763,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/ebay-mario-considers-the-time-out-radio-bench\/","url_meta":{"origin":47852,"position":1},"title":"eBay: Mario considers the Time Out Radio Bench","author":"Thomas","date":"November 24, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: Hi Thomas, For hams and SWLs that have a lot of clutter, a great idea, reminds me of a foot stool that has been re-purposed for radio buffs. Nice idea, good price, free shipping, what's not to like? My\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Time-OutRadio-Bench-001","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Time-OutRadio-Bench-001.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Time-OutRadio-Bench-001.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Time-OutRadio-Bench-001.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Time-OutRadio-Bench-001.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42649,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/icom-ic-705-delivery-has-been-delayed\/","url_meta":{"origin":47852,"position":2},"title":"Icom IC-705 delivery has been delayed","author":"Thomas","date":"April 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who writes: As you'd expect, Icom has formally delayed the delivery schedule of the IC-705. Here's the announcement from Icom Japan: https:\/\/www.icom.co.jp\/news\/4720\/ The following is a machine translation of the announcement: \"Thank you very much for your patronage of ICOM products. We\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Icom-IC-705.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Icom-IC-705.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Icom-IC-705.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32033,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/kettering-freshman-is-bringing-back-ham-radio-club\/","url_meta":{"origin":47852,"position":3},"title":"“Kettering freshman is bringing back ham radio club”","author":"Thomas","date":"May 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Michigan Public Radio) In a world of Skype and FaceTime, a Kettering freshman is bringing back ham radio club She may be busy with her double major in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Physics, but\u00a0Kettering University\u00a0student\u00a0Ruth Willet\u00a0always finds time for her passion: amateur radio \u2013 also known as\u00a0\"ham radio.\" And\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/logo-mid-no14final-_1_.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19987,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/amateur-electronic-supply-aes-to-close\/","url_meta":{"origin":47852,"position":4},"title":"Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) to close","author":"Thomas","date":"July 6, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to a number of\u00a0SWLing Post readers who sent in this news tip via CQ Magazine: Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) has announced that it is ceasing operations as of the end of July, 2016. The Milwaukee-based retailer has four locations around the country, including Milwaukee; Cleveland (Wickliffe), Ohio; Las\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"aes-logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/aes-logo.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":50753,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/my-new-to-me-ten-tec-argonaut-v\/","url_meta":{"origin":47852,"position":5},"title":"My new-to-me TEN-TEC Argonaut V","author":"Thomas","date":"November 4, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"While browsing the\u00a0QTH.com classifieds last weekend, I found an ad for a Ten-Tec Argonaut V (Model 516). The Argo V was a general coverage HF transceiver produced by TEN-TEC starting around 2003 or so. When it was introduced to market, I wanted one because I thought not only would it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Ten-Tec-Argonaut-V-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Ten-Tec-Argonaut-V-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Ten-Tec-Argonaut-V-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Ten-Tec-Argonaut-V-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Ten-Tec-Argonaut-V-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47852"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47852\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}