K4 Questions

[n4cc]

I have a couple questions regarding the K4 and K4HD - perhaps for
Wayne/Eric.

1. I understand that the K4HD will have a selectable feature that would
allow it to use either the direct sampling or the superhet front end.   If I
had a K4HD, why would I ever want to switch from the better superhet front
end to SDR - assuming I already own all the filters?
2. Will there be a "K4 mini"?  I know I could operate remotely from a
PC, etc. but would prefer the "real radio" feel with knobs, a plug in
paddle, etc. and having the panadapter screen in the mini would be a plus?
I use a K3 mini now but not with a P3.
3. My primary station is built as a remote station in FL in partnership
with Paul-W9AC.  We use Verizon 4G LTE for internet and are limited to 30 GB
of data per month (without upcharge).  How data intensive is the K4 with the
panadapter in remote operation versus the K3S -- assuming it would be
controlled with a K4 mini or another K4 to get the panadapter feature??
(Forgive me if I'm not asking the question correctly, but I think you'll
understand my intent.)

Thanks.  73, Greg-N4CC

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[wayne burdick]

> On Jun 6, 2019, at 2:28 PM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> 1. I understand that the K4HD will have a selectable feature that would
> allow it to use either the direct sampling or the superhet front end.   If I
> had a K4HD, why would I ever want to switch from the better superhet front
> end to SDR - assuming I already own all the filters?

a)  Direct-sampling passband is flatter than the flattest crystal filter, with no ripple or group delay issues. Better sound on SSB, ESSB, AM, and FM, and possibly lower error rate in some digital modes, DV, etc.

b)  Direct sampling provides a wider bandwidth looking into the DSP, allowing for some advanced noise reduction capabilities including new NR, frequency-offset noise cancellation, etc. These features will be evolving over time.

c)  Turning off the superhet module will allow RX/TX operation near and at the IF (8.215 MHz).

d)  Current drain will be lower with the HDR module turned off.



> 2. Will there be a "K4 mini"?  I know I could operate remotely from a
> PC, etc. but would prefer the "real radio" feel with knobs, a plug in
> paddle, etc. and having the panadapter screen in the mini would be a plus?
> I use a K3 mini now but not with a P3.

Maybe. Someday. But I can't say for certain. Another possibility is a "K4/0", i.e. a K4 with only a front panel and host interface module, but in the same size chassis as a K4. Any K4, including a K4/0 or -mini, will be able to control another one.



> 3. My primary station is built as a remote station in FL in partnership
> with Paul-W9AC.  We use Verizon 4G LTE for internet and are limited to 30 GB
> of data per month (without upcharge).  How data intensive is the K4 with the
> panadapter in remote operation versus the K3S -- assuming it would be
> controlled with a K4 mini or another K4 to get the panadapter feature??

No data on this yet. But you should be able to turn off the panadapter stream if/when you don't need it. Good idea.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[Doug Turnbull]

Would switching out the superhet front end allow a wider bandwidth for FT8
in the event that narrower filters are used in the front end.
             73 Doug EI2CN

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: 06 June 2019 21:54
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4 Questions


> On Jun 6, 2019, at 2:28 PM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]>
wrote:
>
> 1. I understand that the K4HD will have a selectable feature that would
> allow it to use either the direct sampling or the superhet front end.   If
I
> had a K4HD, why would I ever want to switch from the better superhet front
> end to SDR - assuming I already own all the filters?

a)  Direct-sampling passband is flatter than the flattest crystal filter,
with no ripple or group delay issues. Better sound on SSB, ESSB, AM, and FM,
and possibly lower error rate in some digital modes, DV, etc.

b)  Direct sampling provides a wider bandwidth looking into the DSP,
allowing for some advanced noise reduction capabilities including new NR,
frequency-offset noise cancellation, etc. These features will be evolving
over time.

c)  Turning off the superhet module will allow RX/TX operation near and at
the IF (8.215 MHz).

d)  Current drain will be lower with the HDR module turned off.



> 2. Will there be a "K4 mini"?  I know I could operate remotely from a
> PC, etc. but would prefer the "real radio" feel with knobs, a plug in
> paddle, etc. and having the panadapter screen in the mini would be a plus?
> I use a K3 mini now but not with a P3.

Maybe. Someday. But I can't say for certain. Another possibility is a
"K4/0", i.e. a K4 with only a front panel and host interface module, but in
the same size chassis as a K4. Any K4, including a K4/0 or -mini, will be
able to control another one.



> 3. My primary station is built as a remote station in FL in partnership
> with Paul-W9AC.  We use Verizon 4G LTE for internet and are limited to 30
GB
> of data per month (without upcharge).  How data intensive is the K4 with
the
> panadapter in remote operation versus the K3S -- assuming it would be
> controlled with a K4 mini or another K4 to get the panadapter feature??

No data on this yet. But you should be able to turn off the panadapter
stream if/when you don't need it. Good idea.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[wayne burdick]

Definitely.

Wayne

> On Jun 6, 2019, at 2:59 PM, Doug Turnbull <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Would switching out the superhet front end allow a wider bandwidth for FT8
> in the event that narrower filters are used in the front end.
>             73 Doug EI2CN
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
> Sent: 06 June 2019 21:54
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4 Questions
>
>
>> On Jun 6, 2019, at 2:28 PM, <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>>
>> 1. I understand that the K4HD will have a selectable feature that would
>> allow it to use either the direct sampling or the superhet front end.   If
> I
>> had a K4HD, why would I ever want to switch from the better superhet front
>> end to SDR - assuming I already own all the filters?
>
> a)  Direct-sampling passband is flatter than the flattest crystal filter,
> with no ripple or group delay issues. Better sound on SSB, ESSB, AM, and FM,
> and possibly lower error rate in some digital modes, DV, etc.
>
> b)  Direct sampling provides a wider bandwidth looking into the DSP,
> allowing for some advanced noise reduction capabilities including new NR,
> frequency-offset noise cancellation, etc. These features will be evolving
> over time.
>
> c)  Turning off the superhet module will allow RX/TX operation near and at
> the IF (8.215 MHz).
>
> d)  Current drain will be lower with the HDR module turned off.
>
>
>
>> 2. Will there be a "K4 mini"?  I know I could operate remotely from a
>> PC, etc. but would prefer the "real radio" feel with knobs, a plug in
>> paddle, etc. and having the panadapter screen in the mini would be a plus?
>> I use a K3 mini now but not with a P3.
>
> Maybe. Someday. But I can't say for certain. Another possibility is a
> "K4/0", i.e. a K4 with only a front panel and host interface module, but in
> the same size chassis as a K4. Any K4, including a K4/0 or -mini, will be
> able to control another one.
>
>
>
>> 3. My primary station is built as a remote station in FL in partnership
>> with Paul-W9AC.  We use Verizon 4G LTE for internet and are limited to 30
> GB
>> of data per month (without upcharge).  How data intensive is the K4 with
> the
>> panadapter in remote operation versus the K3S -- assuming it would be
>> controlled with a K4 mini or another K4 to get the panadapter feature??
>
> No data on this yet. But you should be able to turn off the panadapter
> stream if/when you don't need it. Good idea.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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