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My weigh-in, K4

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My weigh-in, K4

I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that Elecraft
has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a new
competitive desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working on one,
but when produced, the market may be saturated with other manufacturers
radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly.

It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive radio.
It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer radios are
significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we who love
technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit with the
latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is technology
over a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of looking at the
same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a second and newer
radio, a K3S. Ho, hum.

At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or
one radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in
abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of Icom's
or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as well. I have
not yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a K4 or whatever,
regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost advantage and way
behind the market. Of course, we who drink the Elecraft cool-aid will
no doubt purchase.

To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their
vehicles are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years
not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in fine
fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer or
upgraded options. How about your cellphone? How many are using one 10
years old? It's personal preference just like it is for radios.

73,
Dan

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M0XDF

Re: My weigh-in, K4

I think it’s hard to beat my K3, let alone the K3S

73 de David, M0XDF (K3 #174, P3 #108)
--
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your
tasks. -Phillips Brooks, bishop and orator (1835-1893)

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Chris Hallinan

Re: My weigh-in, K4

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Dan summed it up perfectly with his analogy of the car and cell phone.
Some of us (maybe lots of us) want modern features in our cars, cell
phones, and yes, our transceivers. I bet very few people buy a car because
of the features of the engine, transmission, tires, etc. We buy one 'cuz
we love the features and comforts offered to the human operator. We might
not buy a new one every year, But...

There's lots of cool technology out there and the K3/K3S are beginning to
look a bit outdated compared to the competition. As others have already
noted, the display is old tech, the P3 is a separate unit, knobs and
buttons, NB/NR, SubRX Integration, etc.

I love my K-line - In the end, I voted with my wallet: K3/SubRx++, P3 and
KPA500.

I look forward to seeing the company continue to evolve its flagship line!

73,
Chris - K1AY

On Sun, May 20, 2018 at 9:22 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that Elecraft
> has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a new competitive
> desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working on one, but when
> produced, the market may be saturated with other manufacturers radios who
> have felt the need to get to market quickly.
>
> It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive radio.
> It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer radios are
> significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we who love
> technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit with the
> latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is technology over
> a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of looking at the same radio
> for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a second and newer radio, a
> K3S. Ho, hum.
>
> At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or one
> radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in
> abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of Icom's or
> Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as well. I have not
> yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a K4 or whatever,
> regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost advantage and way
> behind the market. Of course, we who drink the Elecraft cool-aid will no
> doubt purchase.
>
> To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their vehicles
> are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years not because
> the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in fine fashion, but
> because I just want something more recent with newer or upgraded options.
> How about your cellphone? How many are using one 10 years old? It's
> personal preference just like it is for radios.
>
> 73,
> Dan
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

--
Life is like Linux - it never stands still.
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David Gilbert

Re: My weigh-in, K4

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I can think of a lot of reasons somebody might want to upgrade their
radio, but purely "to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles"
falls very low on my list, and growing "tired of looking at the same
radio" isn't on it at all. If a new radio offers significantly
improved utility, great ... otherwise we're sitting at the same table as
those who buy the newest smart phone every time one comes out simply to
be able to say they have it.

I say this not as an Elecraft user (although I own a K1, KX2, and
upgraded K3), but as a consumer who judges a product by it's performance
to cost ratio. Upgrades need to provide me with improved utility, not
simply warm fuzzies that I have the latest.

Dave AB7E

On 5/20/2018 6:22 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote:

> I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that
> Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a
> new competitive desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working
> on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other
> manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly.
>
> It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive
> radio. It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer
> radios are significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we
> who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit
> with the latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is
> technology over a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of
> looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a
> second and newer radio, a K3S. Ho, hum.
>
> At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or
> one radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in
> abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of
> Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as
> well. I have not yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a
> K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost
> advantage and way behind the market. Of course, we who drink the
> Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase.
>
> To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their
> vehicles are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years
> not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in
> fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer
> or upgraded options. How about your cellphone? How many are using one
> 10 years old? It's personal preference just like it is for radios.
>
> 73,
> Dan
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Ken G Kopp

Re: My weigh-in, K4

Well-said Dave! (:-)

73!

K0PP

On Sun, May 20, 2018, 09:10 David Gilbert <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> I can think of a lot of reasons somebody might want to upgrade their
> radio, but purely "to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles"
> falls very low on my list, and growing "tired of looking at the same
> radio" isn't on it at all. If a new radio offers significantly
> improved utility, great ... otherwise we're sitting at the same table as
> those who buy the newest smart phone every time one comes out simply to
> be able to say they have it.
>
> I say this not as an Elecraft user (although I own a K1, KX2, and
> upgraded K3), but as a consumer who judges a product by it's performance
> to cost ratio. Upgrades need to provide me with improved utility, not
> simply warm fuzzies that I have the latest.
>
> Dave AB7E
>
>
> On 5/20/2018 6:22 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote:
> > I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that
> > Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a
> > new competitive desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working
> > on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other
> > manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly.
> >
> > It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive
> > radio. It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer
> > radios are significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we
> > who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit
> > with the latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is
> > technology over a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of
> > looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a
> > second and newer radio, a K3S. Ho, hum.
> >
> > At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or
> > one radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in
> > abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of
> > Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as
> > well. I have not yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a
> > K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost
> > advantage and way behind the market. Of course, we who drink the
> > Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase.
> >
> > To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their
> > vehicles are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years
> > not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in
> > fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer
> > or upgraded options. How about your cellphone? How many are using one
> > 10 years old? It's personal preference just like it is for radios.
> >
> > 73,
> > Dan
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]

Niel Skousen

Re: My weigh-in, K4

In reply to this post by David Gilbert

Well with all the ‘issues’’ that are being bantered about, anyone who has an old dusty unloved K3 hanging around is welcome to drop me a note and I’ll help resolve that problem ... 8-)

Niel

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 20, 2018, at 09:09, David Gilbert <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> I can think of a lot of reasons somebody might want to upgrade their
> radio, but purely "to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles"
> falls very low on my list, and growing "tired of looking at the same
> radio" isn't on it at all. If a new radio offers significantly
> improved utility, great ... otherwise we're sitting at the same table as
> those who buy the newest smart phone every time one comes out simply to
> be able to say they have it.
>
> I say this not as an Elecraft user (although I own a K1, KX2, and
> upgraded K3), but as a consumer who judges a product by it's performance
> to cost ratio. Upgrades need to provide me with improved utility, not
> simply warm fuzzies that I have the latest.
>
> Dave AB7E
>
>
> On 5/20/2018 6:22 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote:
> > I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that
> > Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a
> > new competitive desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working
> > on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other
> > manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly.
> >
> > It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive
> > radio. It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer
> > radios are significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we
> > who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit
> > with the latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is
> > technology over a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of
> > looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a
> > second and newer radio, a K3S. Ho, hum.
> >
> > At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or
> > one radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in
> > abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of
> > Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as
> > well. I have not yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a
> > K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost
> > advantage and way behind the market. Of course, we who drink the
> > Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase.
> >
> > To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their
> > vehicles are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years
> > not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in
> > fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer
> > or upgraded options. How about your cellphone? How many are using one
> > 10 years old? It's personal preference just like it is for radios.
> >
> > 73,
> > Dan
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: My weigh-in, K4

Administrator

In reply to this post by M0XDF

Hi everyone,

We closed this thread yesterday.

73,

Eric
elecraft.com
_..._

> On May 20, 2018, at 9:42 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I think it’s hard to beat my K3, let alone the K3S
>
> 73 de David, M0XDF (K3 #174, P3 #108)
> --
> Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your
> tasks. -Phillips Brooks, bishop and orator (1835-1893)
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Re: My weigh-in, K4

THANK GOD!!

73s Bob W5RG

On Sunday, May 20, 2018, 4:08:50 PM CDT, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi everyone,

We closed this thread yesterday.

73,

Eric
elecraft.com
_..._

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