7:36 am, looking at the Clock

I turn over and look at my alarm clock. It says: 7:36. For the last six minutes, I've been waking up and thinking about tariffs. Also, thinking about how to make my business grow in the face of these rapidly rising, changing, uncertain tariff economics. Finally, thinking about how to add clarity to interpreting the chaos I'm seeing in my business.

Let's back up one year. At that time, my product line was composed mostly of products for use in small experimental aircraft. Most of the product line was hand-assembled(!!!) from the component level here in the US. Our pricing model reflected that: expensive products for niche applications.

Recognizing that I could not grow the business in an environment of small quantities and hand-assembly, I put out an old fashioned RFQ (Request For Quotation) on Alibaba, which is the electronic wholesale trading platform of the world. I was seeking companies who could efficiently manufacture my designs, to my specifications, and save me money when compared to the high cost of US manufacturing. Within a few days, I had 16+ companies seeking a long-term business relationship with me. I had to narrow it down to one company.

Also recognizing that my product line was in too narrow of a niche, I decided to broaden the product line with offerings that had appeal to anyone who looked to the skies and had interest in flying. From then to now, I've added even more emphasis on safety, fun and utility. I've added innovation: the world's least expensive Carbon Monoxide detector, designed for aviation. A fun portable Turn Coordinator. A backup altimeter with altitude alerting. A cool aviation scanner (still in development) that allows hearing aircraft that are 170 miles away, up to eight channels monitored simultaneously.

Each of the 16 Chinese production companies quickly made a pitch, providing quotations and references for their manufacturing capabilities. To cut to the chase: in volume, my manufacturing costs per PCB were going to go from around $60 to less than $8, delivered, right to our company's doorstep. All I had to do was increase my sales volume by a factor of 4x.

While this would have little immediate effect on certain parts of our product line, namely, the small volume products for experimental aircraft, it would have a huge effect on products which I started putting into production. I've already alluded to them, but its worth clarifying:

I introduced CO-USB, a $24 Carbon Monoxide alarm, designed for aviation. Consistent with the subsequent 20% baseline tariff on Chinese ICs, we raised the price to is $29.95. The sensor for this product is made only in China; the rest of the assembly is still soldered together right here in the USA. The case is 3D printed on our MarkForge industrial printer.

I also introduced SafeAlt and SafeTurn, both of which are category break-through products, offering significant aviation function with affordability and more universal appeal. I cut the price and added our G-Meter to this collection of affordable products. I priced them in-line with our new, much lower costs. For example, our in-panel Turn Coordinator sold for $300; the new portable version is priced at $100 (for how long? read on...) The new SafeAlt was introduced at $100 as well. The old G-Meter gets a new life, with pricing reduced from $150 down to $100.

I also added a couple of other products which have done really well. Will they be able to continue, after the full effect of tariffs are baked in? I don't know; but I do know that they can not be US sourced at anywhere close to the current price points.

That list of products include my Aviation USB charger, offered at $29.95:

I'll keep the pricing on the USB charger low as long as I have inventory in stock here at Radiant. As the USB charger is 100% Chinese manufactured, it is at extraordinary risk of rising in price whenever and if I can reorder. I am doubtful that an equivalent will emerge at anywhere near the $30 price point.

I've already suffered a huge blow on our Fuel Probe Systems. While I designed the interface module, I've had two different Chinese vendors for the actual pressure probe. My anticipated cost for the probe alone now is ~~$100 (my cost, not your cost) and I have defensively raised my retail price to $180. My distribution partner, Aircraft Spruce, ordered 3 units before the tariffs hit and they are found here:

Radiant Fuel Probe System 1/8 Inch Probes | Aircraft Spruce

If they don't have stock on that, then I recommend ordering these two products, which are simply the individual components of our Fuel Probe System:

Radiant Fuel Pressure Sensor RI-2024-4 | Aircraft Spruce

Radiant Fuel Level Computer RI-2024-3 | Aircraft Spruce

If you buy those two items, you are getting the equivalent of our Fuel Probe System.

Arggh, there's too much to explain; I'll have to write another post soon. I need to move this written thought process into some conclusions:

1. My overall strategy to reduce costs, in progress through 2024, was lifesaving. Our sales in the first quarter of 2025 nearly doubled compared to 2024!!! As long as current policy does not end up with Chinese tariffs beyond 20%, I can manage. I've simply added the cost of the Tariffs into the cost of the product.

2. My strategy to expand the product line has been well accepted by you, the customer. Since Radiant has introduced and repriced these products, we've received well over 200 units of orders across these products.

3. The biggest pricing question has been the new portable turn coordinator, called SafeTurn. I will keep the price point at $99.95 for the time being, but I'm completely on edge that my supply chain may blow up. I've extended the delivery of the first production batch to late July, which buys time for the tariffs to calm down and also buys time for me to tweak my supply chain. I'll guarantee that low price up until the time I know it needs to go up. Then, I'll change it without warning (unfortunately).

4. In order to keep our sales momentum, we have implemented a free shipping policy on our company store.

Radiant is a small business; I am committed to being innovative, agile, and ahead of the larger mammals back in the pack. (I've always enjoyed the analogy of being a small, agile mammal in a hostile environment.) I want you to have our fun & affordable products!

Please purchase our products now; we need your support. You can buy from us, or our distribution partner, Aircraft Spruce. Click here to see all of our in-stock product.

Radiant Instruments | Aircraft Spruce

Or to get free shipping, order from us directly. (We do NOT have any fuel probes left in our inventory; all of the low cost inventory is at Aircraft Spruce.)

It's 11:35; nearly time for lunch. I truly hope you've found this helpful.

Thanks for reading, -- James.