Is there a K4 on the horizon?
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Really?
On 3/31/2015 8:37 PM, Scott Manthe wrote: > Wayne and Eric have repeatedly said that the K3 will be upgradeable to the K4. ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Is there a K4 on the horizon?
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In reply to this post by Jeff Kinzli
I think any new Elecraft radio is going to be cutting-edge DSP. Consider
how good the KX3 is. Its DSP hardware is chosen for its low power requirements - not for maximum performance. So imagine a radio designed with the very best DSP technology with power requirements being a much lower priority. The K3 is unquestionably outstanding. But if Wayne were to start with a fresh, leading edge design, there is no doubt that it would be DSP-based. 73, Doug -- K0DXV On 4/1/2015 12:10 PM, Jeff Kinzli wrote: > Seems to me that one viable possibility would be for Elecraft to build > a new box - one that encapsulates the existing K3, but has a new front > panel that's larger, with more knobs allowing each knob to have a > singular function. For those that use the K3 as their main home radio > - this would allow you to have larger knobs, spaced further out, and > have that big radio feel - while those of us that travel constantly > with our K3's can continue with the smaller footprint, which for me > works great even though I have huge hands. > > Doing so would require re-engineering front panel, but probably not > much more than that? Since the front panel is just ribbon-cabled to > the rest of the radio. Seems like a relatively small engineering feat > for a big bang but maybe its only an incremental change in terms of > moving the needle and maybe that's not where Elecraft wants to focus. > > Good topics for April 1st ;) > > 73 de N6GQ > > On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 7:32 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote: >> On 2015-04-01 12:39 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote: >>> I really don't see why People want a K4 as a whole new radio. >> There are many who would like to see a larger radio with more >> individual controls (direct band select, Split, separate control >> for Dual PB and APF, separate control for Diversity and Link, >> etc.) as well as a 48V PA for better transmit IMD. The added >> controls and 48V/200w PA are not something that is likely in >> the current K3 form factor. >> >> 73, >> >> ... Joe, W4TV >> >> >> On 2015-04-01 12:39 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote: >>> I really don't see why People want a K4 as a whole new radio. >>> A huge selling point for me was the modular and up-gradable approach of >>> the K3 (and the K-Line as a whole) >>> You can go every where from the Base radio (as a great radio all by >>> itself) up to the full blown K-Line fully loaded. >>> >>> I also had radios from "The Other Guys" and having to buy a whole new >>> radio to get new features really is a waste of money. >>> >>> As the Elecraft product line increases it allows me to add in new gear >>> that integrates well in both function and appearance >>> to my existing equipment so I don't wind up with the mishmash of shapes >>> and sises so common with "the other guys" >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Is there a K4 on the horizon? MAYBE
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In reply to this post by Joseph Trombino, Jr
On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 12:57 PM, bill <[hidden email]> wrote:
> ...their usual leapfrog technology... > > ============ Seems to me that a new design would only be justified if it added some missing functionality. But at least for me, the current radio does everything I would want it to do. The only additional feature that would help me would be if it would put Bouvet on the air. It used to be that radios were judged on sensitivity and selectivity. Those measures topped out decades ago, and everyone started looking at dynamic range, and then close-in dynamic range. At this point, further improvements in that spec probably aren't going to be noticed in most practical situations. Maybe the next frontier is in noise reduction, I dunno. But really, when you talk about the next Elecraft transceiver, the K4 or whatever, you have to ask what it's gonna have that you haven't already got. And then after you come up with something (e.g. simultaneous two-band receive & panadaptor) you have to ask if it really justifies a new design, or it's just gilding the lily. 73, Tony KT0NY ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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There is a connector on the new synth board. What is the future
development it is for? That may show some direction. István ha4zd ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Is there a K4 on the horizon? MAYBE
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Good question, would be a possible source for a VNA dongle?
Mel, K6KBE From: István Szabó <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 12:55 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is there a K4 on the horizon? MAYBE There is a connector on the new synth board. What is the future development it is for? That may show some direction. István ha4zd ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list
Maybe. I think there will still be some front end analog processing. That
said, QRP is in the DNA of this company. Consequently, their designs have always had low receiver current drain in mind. IMHO, this has compromised performance. I know that the "faithful" are gnashing their teeth at this but I said, IMHO. One need look no further than the use of an SA612 for the second mixer. In a backpacking radio this is a good choice. But it has no place in a high-performance desktop receiver. By my reading of the spec sheets (I'll confess limited knowledge of DSP device specs) the mixer is weaker than the DSP. Hence the conventional wisdom that the need for hardware AGC is to "protect" the DSP, when in fact, it's protecting the mixer. We now have SDRs that can digitize wide swaths of the HF spectrum with good overload performance yet the mixer/DSP in the K3 requires banks of pricy crystal filters to limit the exposure to hundreds of Hz. This also leads to endless questions on this reflector about what crystal filters are "best." The best one would be a low IMD design that just eliminated the image with a robust DSP doing the rest. Just thinkin' out loud. We'll see what Visalia brings. Wes N7WS On 4/1/2015 11:41 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote: > I think any new Elecraft radio is going to be cutting-edge DSP. Consider how > good the KX3 is. Its DSP hardware is chosen for its low power requirements - > not for maximum performance. So imagine a radio designed with the very best > DSP technology with power requirements being a much lower priority. The K3 is > unquestionably outstanding. But if Wayne were to start with a fresh, leading > edge design, there is no doubt that it would be DSP-based. > > 73, Doug -- K0DXV > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Is there a K4 on the horizon? MAYBE
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In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list
Wayne already advised that was for programming (synthesizer firmware) upgrades if needed. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2015-04-01 4:10 PM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft wrote: > Good question, would be a possible source for a VNA dongle? > Mel, K6KBE > > From: István Szabó <[hidden email]> > To: [hidden email] > Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2015 12:55 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is there a K4 on the horizon? MAYBE > > There is a connector on the new synth board. What is the future > development it is for? That may show some direction. > > István ha4zd > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > 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] |
Re: Is there a K4 on the horizon?
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In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list
New Elecraft rig w/cutting-edge DSP? Almost sounds like a Flex-6000 series
with knobs and buttons versus SmartSDR. 73, Jim KA2RVO On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 2:41 PM, Doug Person via Elecraft < [hidden email]> wrote: > I think any new Elecraft radio is going to be cutting-edge DSP. Consider > how good the KX3 is. Its DSP hardware is chosen for its low power > requirements - not for maximum performance. So imagine a radio designed > with the very best DSP technology with power requirements being a much > lower priority. The K3 is unquestionably outstanding. But if Wayne were > to start with a fresh, leading edge design, there is no doubt that it would > be DSP-based. > > 73, Doug -- K0DXV > > On 4/1/2015 12:10 PM, Jeff Kinzli wrote: > >> Seems to me that one viable possibility would be for Elecraft to build >> a new box - one that encapsulates the existing K3, but has a new front >> panel that's larger, with more knobs allowing each knob to have a >> singular function. For those that use the K3 as their main home radio >> - this would allow you to have larger knobs, spaced further out, and >> have that big radio feel - while those of us that travel constantly >> with our K3's can continue with the smaller footprint, which for me >> works great even though I have huge hands. >> >> Doing so would require re-engineering front panel, but probably not >> much more than that? Since the front panel is just ribbon-cabled to >> the rest of the radio. Seems like a relatively small engineering feat >> for a big bang but maybe its only an incremental change in terms of >> moving the needle and maybe that's not where Elecraft wants to focus. >> >> Good topics for April 1st ;) >> >> 73 de N6GQ >> >> On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 7:32 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> >> wrote: >> >>> On 2015-04-01 12:39 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote: >>> >>>> I really don't see why People want a K4 as a whole new radio. >>>> >>> There are many who would like to see a larger radio with more >>> individual controls (direct band select, Split, separate control >>> for Dual PB and APF, separate control for Diversity and Link, >>> etc.) as well as a 48V PA for better transmit IMD. The added >>> controls and 48V/200w PA are not something that is likely in >>> the current K3 form factor. >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> ... Joe, W4TV >>> >>> >>> On 2015-04-01 12:39 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote: >>> >>>> I really don't see why People want a K4 as a whole new radio. >>>> A huge selling point for me was the modular and up-gradable approach of >>>> the K3 (and the K-Line as a whole) >>>> You can go every where from the Base radio (as a great radio all by >>>> itself) up to the full blown K-Line fully loaded. >>>> >>>> I also had radios from "The Other Guys" and having to buy a whole new >>>> radio to get new features really is a waste of money. >>>> >>>> As the Elecraft product line increases it allows me to add in new gear >>>> that integrates well in both function and appearance >>>> to my existing equipment so I don't wind up with the mishmash of shapes >>>> and sises so common with "the other guys" >>>> >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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] >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
Re: Is there a K4 on the horizon? Car radio
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In reply to this post by Bill Frantz
The user interface of VHF mobiles does need to be improved "back to the
1940s" for safety so that basic functions are completely tactile - without need to look at the radio. My Metrum II was mounted under the driver's seat and could be fully controlled without taking my eyes off the road. This would also be popular with blind operators, perhaps as an accessory for their autonomous vehicle. <grin> 73 Paul N6LL On 3/31/2015 5:18 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: > If Elecraft makes a car radio, and I would definitely interested in > replacing my IC-706, I hope it follows the lead of car entertainment > radios going back to the 1940s and has single button tuning for at > least 5 presets. If it is like the more modern radios, it may have > both push and hold tuning for each button. A serious attack on driver > distraction with ham mobile radios would be a very valuable feature. > > Another nice feature for a mobile rig is automatic tuning for > screwdriver antennas. > > 73 Bill AE6JV ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10
And I'll be at the Contest Academy, Jim.
You aren't presenting this time? I went to a similar contest academy at SeaPac last June. 73 de Jim - AD6CW On 3/31/2015 9:52 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > Visalia is also a contester hangout. NCCC does a Contest Academy on > Friday. > > 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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On Thu,4/2/2015 6:35 PM, Jim Lowman wrote:
> And I'll be at the Contest Academy, Jim. > You aren't presenting this time? No. 73, Jim ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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