Elecraft

Elecraft K4

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Terry

Elecraft K4

Hello All,

This is not a technical post but more of a philosophical viewpoint about
buying new ham gear.

I first became acquainted with Elecraft gear after many years using ICOM
rigs. I had been QRT for about 8 years and came back to the hobby
determined to dust off the CW I never used, and become proficient. With
that decision I bought a used K2 and discovered CW and QRP. As I continued
to develop my CW proficiency, I purchased the KX3, PX3, and KXPA 100.
Later, for portable ops I bought a KX2. I am very happy with these rigs,
and realistically, they are really all I would ever need to enjoy many years
of CW operation.

When the K4 was announced, I first thought that I might try to pick up a
used K3S and Panadapter from someone purchasing a K4. I thought, "I didn't
need to spend all that money" that a K4 would cost.

The more I thought about it, I got to thinking that I have never owned a
World Class Radio. I am 71 years old. I can financially afford a K4. I
decided that even though what I have would have suited me just fine for the
rest of my life, I wanted the joy of unboxing, learning, and operating what
will be probably the finest rig Elecraft has ever made, and perhaps one of
the finest rigs ever made. As a result, I put a deposit down on a new K4
yesterday.

For those of you who have owned the K3 and K3S when they came out, you can
understand and appreciate having the best. I am looking forward to having
that experience, too.

Wayne and Eric have created something very special in Elecraft. They truly
try to meet their customer needs, and have created a series of Radios that
are technically some of the best made, and have the advantage of
upgradability. Their customer service is second to none; but you all know
that.

Anyway, just thought I would share my thoughts and look forward, as many of
you are, to being able to experience the K4.

73,

Terry, N7TB

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iw2noy

Re: Elecraft K4

Hello Terry,

thanks for sharing your thoughts, i agree in many points.
My Elecraft experience begun a K2 i bought used, in perfect condition
and full optionals.
I am still in love with that K2 and is still my favourite radio from
Elecraft, because for me...
The K2 is the perfect incarnation of the Elecraft philosophy:
1- Is a kit
2- Is for everyone
3- Is complete
4- IS well documented and supported (from Elecraft and from the
communities)
5- Is not a toy but a real radio
6- Is a killer in performance
7- Is a perfect CW machine !!!

Later i bought a KX3 and i discovered the little magic in it !
The KX3 is one of the fionest recevier i ever heard, the CW note is
beautyfull, seems unbelievable for a so litlle rig.
I was impressed by the total number of controls and functionalities they
has been enable to insert in the KX3, nothing is missing, no
compromises, wherever you are !

And in finally, just a year later that K3s comes on the market, i bought
an initial small K-Line from friend (K3s + P3 + SP3).
I played a week everyday with the K3s and i fallen in love again !
I loved the CW audio, the keyer, the QSK, the selectivity, the rock
solid frontend also during contest, the ergonomics, THE MACRO to
automate some operations (this is one of the best invention in Elecraft,
nobody else think before they to a solution like this). The macro get
more power if in combo with a K-Pod, another nice invention.
Moreover, macro are not only resident in the K3s but also in all the
components of the K-Lines, so, with onliy one macro you can set
parameters or do different actions on all the components of the
K-Line.

This is the magic in Elecraft and the advantages of a really integrated
lines of accessories.
I just complete my K-Line with a KPA-500 and is a awesome.

I am sure the K4 will have the same effects on all his buyers, old
Elecrafter will enjoy the new toy, new customer will become Elecrafter
like many of us.

Despite are many years that i own different models of Elecraft gears,
everyday i enjoy to use them, like the first day.

I am sure one of the proudest Elecraft here in Italy, ask to Eric for
references, he have a good collections of my t-shirts Elecracft themed
for Friedricshafen Ham Fest :-)

Welcome aboard guys !

Best 73's de Graziano IW2NOY

PS
Sorry if there are some error in my email, i am not mothertongue and i
wrote this email in very short time listening to my hearth. See ya ;-)

Il 03/10/2019 07:09 Terry Brown ha scritto:

> Hello All,
>
>
>
> This is not a technical post but more of a philosophical viewpoint
> about
> buying new ham gear.
>
>
>
> I first became acquainted with Elecraft gear after many years using
> ICOM
> rigs. I had been QRT for about 8 years and came back to the hobby
> determined to dust off the CW I never used, and become proficient.
> With
> that decision I bought a used K2 and discovered CW and QRP. As I
> continued
> to develop my CW proficiency, I purchased the KX3, PX3, and KXPA 100.
> Later, for portable ops I bought a KX2. I am very happy with these
> rigs,
> and realistically, they are really all I would ever need to enjoy many
> years
> of CW operation.
>
>
>
> When the K4 was announced, I first thought that I might try to pick up
> a
> used K3S and Panadapter from someone purchasing a K4. I thought, "I
> didn't
> need to spend all that money" that a K4 would cost.
>
>
>
> The more I thought about it, I got to thinking that I have never owned
> a
> World Class Radio. I am 71 years old. I can financially afford a K4.
> I
> decided that even though what I have would have suited me just fine for
> the
> rest of my life, I wanted the joy of unboxing, learning, and operating
> what
> will be probably the finest rig Elecraft has ever made, and perhaps one
> of
> the finest rigs ever made. As a result, I put a deposit down on a new
> K4
> yesterday.
>
>
>
> For those of you who have owned the K3 and K3S when they came out, you
> can
> understand and appreciate having the best. I am looking forward to
> having
> that experience, too.
>
>
>
> Wayne and Eric have created something very special in Elecraft. They
> truly
> try to meet their customer needs, and have created a series of Radios
> that
> are technically some of the best made, and have the advantage of
> upgradability. Their customer service is second to none; but you all
> know
> that.
>
>
>
> Anyway, just thought I would share my thoughts and look forward, as
> many of
> you are, to being able to experience the K4.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
> Terry, N7TB
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]