Elecraft

K4? Or K2S?

Classic

List

Threaded

3 messages Options

Elecraft mailing list

K4? Or K2S?

If Elecraft had a rig that was an update to the K2 (same size box with no jacks on the sides, and all in one box unlike the KX3+KXPA100) with the following features, I'd be interested. I find the form factor of the K2 ideal for a rig that wears many different hats in the shack and portable.

(1) 6 metres included at 100 W level in the single box
(2) 100 watt capability at ~50% duty cycle all day, suitable for RTTY, FT8, MSK144, etc. (optional external fan?)
(3) More reliable headphone jack
(4) Eliminate the nasty stray-RF sensitivity of the XV60 transmit output (simple firmware or hardware mods would do it)
(5) USB control and audio interface

Other desirable features (in no particular order) would be

(6) tuning knob without the sharp edges and with a dimple
(7) reduced audio hiss at CW bandwidths, without sacrificing bandwidth on SSB and digital modes
(8) DSP filtering of some sort (no longer available for the K2)
(9) QRP or 100 watt versions available as now
(10) support for a few more transverter bands than the K2
(11) optional internal transverters for 2m (and higher?) in the QRP top
(12) more strip-proof threads when changing tops.
(13) improved phase noise (I have had no issues but some European VHFers find it too high with transverters)
(14) GPS option for high frequency accuracy, perhaps with 10 MHz output for transverters, and time output for computer
(15) general coverage receive
(16) AM (at least receiving) and FM capability
(17) Eliminate the strong 10m birdie from the KPA100 HV supply

It would be good to keep many characteristics of the K2, such as

(15) low power consumption
(16) wide power supply voltage range
(17) reasonably good receiver strong signal performance without spending the money needed to be state-of-the-art
(18) keyer speed knob on front panel
(19) configurable with options as each user requires

Kind of somewhere between an IC-7300 and a TS-590SG as far as ham-band capabilities are concerned but with the flexible configuration of the K2 and properly Elecraft-style thought-out details like no transmit spikes, proper timing of transmissions versus amp/transverter key output, etc. And much cheaper than the K3S (somehow!).

73,
Steve VE3SMA

______________________________________________________________
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

Carl-N8VZ

Re: K4? Or K2S?

Steve,

Some good thoughts. I would add an internal sound card for ease of digital mode setup.

73,

Carl
Sent from my iPhone
===========================
Carl Jón Denbow, N8VZ
17 Coventry Lane
Athens, Ohio 45701-3718

[hidden email]
www.n8vz.com
EM89wh

IRLP 4533 Echolink 116070

PSK and JT65 Forever!
===========================

> On Mar 25, 2019, at 8:10 AM, Steve Kavanagh via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> If Elecraft had a rig that was an update to the K2 (same size box with no jacks on the sides, and all in one box unlike the KX3+KXPA100) with the following features, I'd be interested. I find the form factor of the K2 ideal for a rig that wears many different hats in the shack and portable.
>
> (1) 6 metres included at 100 W level in the single box
> (2) 100 watt capability at ~50% duty cycle all day, suitable for RTTY, FT8, MSK144, etc. (optional external fan?)
> (3) More reliable headphone jack
> (4) Eliminate the nasty stray-RF sensitivity of the XV60 transmit output (simple firmware or hardware mods would do it)
> (5) USB control and audio interface
>
> Other desirable features (in no particular order) would be
>
> (6) tuning knob without the sharp edges and with a dimple
> (7) reduced audio hiss at CW bandwidths, without sacrificing bandwidth on SSB and digital modes
> (8) DSP filtering of some sort (no longer available for the K2)
> (9) QRP or 100 watt versions available as now
> (10) support for a few more transverter bands than the K2
> (11) optional internal transverters for 2m (and higher?) in the QRP top
> (12) more strip-proof threads when changing tops.
> (13) improved phase noise (I have had no issues but some European VHFers find it too high with transverters)
> (14) GPS option for high frequency accuracy, perhaps with 10 MHz output for transverters, and time output for computer
> (15) general coverage receive
> (16) AM (at least receiving) and FM capability
> (17) Eliminate the strong 10m birdie from the KPA100 HV supply
>
> It would be good to keep many characteristics of the K2, such as
>
> (15) low power consumption
> (16) wide power supply voltage range
> (17) reasonably good receiver strong signal performance without spending the money needed to be state-of-the-art
> (18) keyer speed knob on front panel
> (19) configurable with options as each user requires
>
> Kind of somewhere between an IC-7300 and a TS-590SG as far as ham-band capabilities are concerned but with the flexible configuration of the K2 and properly Elecraft-style thought-out details like no transmit spikes, proper timing of transmissions versus amp/transverter key output, etc. And much cheaper than the K3S (somehow!).
>
> 73,
> Steve VE3SMA
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

______________________________________________________________
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

James Good

Re: K4? Or K2S?

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

My personal thoughts on this one item are in-line and marked with * at
the beginning of the line.

And thank you to the reflector for allowing the 'wish list' to grow as
it is.

James Good KD5VXH

On 3/25/19 7:10 AM, Steve Kavanagh via Elecraft wrote:

> If Elecraft had a rig that was an update to the K2 (same size box with no jacks on the sides, and all in one box unlike the KX3+KXPA100) with the following features, I'd be interested. I find the form factor of the K2 ideal for a rig that wears many different hats in the shack and portable.
>
> (1) 6 metres included at 100 W level in the single box
> (2) 100 watt capability at ~50% duty cycle all day, suitable for RTTY, FT8, MSK144, etc. (optional external fan?)
> (3) More reliable headphone jack
> (4) Eliminate the nasty stray-RF sensitivity of the XV60 transmit output (simple firmware or hardware mods would do it)
> (5) USB control and audio interface
>
> Other desirable features (in no particular order) would be
>
> (6) tuning knob without the sharp edges and with a dimple
> (7) reduced audio hiss at CW bandwidths, without sacrificing bandwidth on SSB and digital modes
> (8) DSP filtering of some sort (no longer available for the K2)
> (9) QRP or 100 watt versions available as now
> *(10) support for a few more transverter bands than the K2external transverters to 23 cm
> (11) optional internal transverters for 2m (and higher?) in the QRP top
> (12) more strip-proof threads when changing tops.
> (13) improved phase noise (I have had no issues but some European VHFers find it too high with transverters)
> (14) GPS option for high frequency accuracy, perhaps with 10 MHz output for transverters, and time output for computer
> (15) general coverage receive
> *(16) AMBOTH TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING (at least receiving) and FM capability
> (17) Eliminate the strong 10m birdie from the KPA100 HV supply
>
> It would be good to keep many characteristics of the K2, such as
>
> (15) low power consumption
> (16) wide power supply voltage range
> (17) reasonably good receiver strong signal performance without spending the money needed to be state-of-the-art
> (18) keyer speed knob on front panel
> (19) configurable with options as each user requires
>
> Kind of somewhere between an IC-7300 and a TS-590SG as far as ham-band capabilities are concerned but with the flexible configuration of the K2 and properly Elecraft-style thought-out details like no transmit spikes, proper timing of transmissions versus amp/transverter key output, etc. And much cheaper than the K3S (somehow!).
>
> 73,
> Steve VE3SMA
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>