Elecraft › [K3]

Product Suggestion Big Box K3

Classic

List

Threaded

11 messages Options

Nicholas Farrar-2

Product Suggestion Big Box K3

Count me in. Basically it would be the same "guts" with a new display, power
supply and amp. Maybe a larger forward facing speaker! I have to say I HATE
the built in speaker. I personally would be happy with a stand alone
Elecraft power supply but this would be just as intriguing.

--
Nicholas W. Farrar
Network Engineer / IT Coordinator

Brown Folse PACS
[hidden email]

Office 318-595-0451
Mobile 318-381-9863
Fax 866-248-6128
______________________________________________________________
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

Dan in Florida

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

Me too,

I sold my K3, and my next transceiver purchase will definitely be a big box
with a built-in bandscope, better audio, and with more dedicated controls
(not as many multi-use buttons). It would be great if Elecraft would offer
such a product. With their fantastic customer service, I think
Elecraftwould attract many (if not most)
Icom and Yaesu customers who would prefer an American alternative, if only
they would address the market differently. Having the best performance and
specifications from a technical standpoint is obviously a big plus, but for
many hams, there is more to enjoying a radio than technical performance
alone. Also, I may be wrong, but I don't think portability is a major issue
for most hams.

I know than many hams think that the K3 is nearly perfect just the way it
is. My opinion is that a slightly larger radio with better ergonomics, an
updated display, and better audio would not diminish the appeal of this
magnificent radio, but would enhance it; and would reward Elecraft with an
excellent market share.

Dan

On Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 1:23 PM, Nicholas Farrar <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Count me in. Basically it would be the same "guts" with a new display,
> power
> supply and amp. Maybe a larger forward facing speaker! I have to say I HATE
> the built in speaker. I personally would be happy with a stand alone
> Elecraft power supply but this would be just as intriguing.
>
> --
> Nicholas W. Farrar
>
______________________________________________________________
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

Nicholas Farrar-2

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

Dan,

Would you be happy with a K3 with a P3, Larger face, display, more buttons,
power supply, better speaker(forward facing) and maybe a 500w amp built in?
Would it need to be a whole new radio or would a "repackaged" K3 satisfy
your request? How about this, a larger case with an option for either a
lager speaker or a P3 and a bigger display? How about 2 speakers, one for
each VFO???? Put one speaker on either side of the radio.

--
Nicholas W. Farrar
Network Engineer / IT Coordinator

Brown Folse PACS
[hidden email]

Office 318-595-0451
Mobile 318-381-9863
Fax 866-248-6128
On Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 1:23 PM, Dan & Jean <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Me too,
>
> I sold my K3, and my next transceiver purchase will definitely be a big box
> with a built-in bandscope, better audio, and with more dedicated controls
> (not as many multi-use buttons). It would be great if Elecraft would
> offer such a product. With their fantastic customer service, I think
> Elecraft would attract many (if not most) Icom and Yaesu customers who
> would prefer an American alternative, if only they would address the market
> differently. Having the best performance and specifications from a
> technical standpoint is obviously a big plus, but for many hams, there is
> more to enjoying a radio than technical performance alone. Also, I may be
> wrong, but I don't think portability is a major issue for most hams.
>
> I know than many hams think that the K3 is nearly perfect just the way it
> is. My opinion is that a slightly larger radio with better ergonomics, an
> updated display, and better audio would not diminish the appeal of this
> magnificent radio, but would enhance it; and would reward Elecraft with an
> excellent market share.
>
> Dan
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 1:23 PM, Nicholas Farrar <[hidden email]>wrote:
>
>> Count me in. Basically it would be the same "guts" with a new display,
>> power
>> supply and amp. Maybe a larger forward facing speaker! I have to say I
>> HATE
>> the built in speaker. I personally would be happy with a stand alone
>> Elecraft power supply but this would be just as intriguing.
>>
>> --
>> Nicholas W. Farrar
>>
>

______________________________________________________________
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

John Ragle

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

Apparently the summer silly season is upon us? The ergonomics of the K3
are just fine the way they are. If one wants a bigga box, write to
Magnavox or some furniture manufacturer. I am an ancient and decrepit 77
years old with bad peripheral neuropathy and big fingers, and
nevertheless have no trouble turning knobs or pushing buttons on the K3.
Kudos to the designers of the machine, who took size into account along
with operating specifications. I wonder how the whiners manage to type?
Maybe they should ask for double-sized keyboards? My NSHO.

John Ragle -- W1ZI
______________________________________________________________
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

Pete Smith N4ZR

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

I'm with you, John - I traded a Mark 5 for my K3. and the *only* things
I miss are the band up and down buttons - otherwise, the ergonomics are
generally better on the K3, IMO. I don't know for sure, but have the
impression that when Yaesu went from the 1000MP to the Mark 5, some
genius in the accounting department told them to keep the same front
panel casting, resulting in pretty bad ergonomic decisions for some of
the more important controls.

Anyone who complains about the K3 menu never had to cope with the Mark
5's, particularly when you consider how much more configurability the K3
gives you.

73, Pete N4ZR

The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000

On 8/9/2010 2:50 PM, John Ragle wrote:

> Apparently the summer silly season is upon us? The ergonomics of the K3
> are just fine the way they are. If one wants a bigga box, write to
> Magnavox or some furniture manufacturer. I am an ancient and decrepit 77
> years old with bad peripheral neuropathy and big fingers, and
> nevertheless have no trouble turning knobs or pushing buttons on the K3.
> Kudos to the designers of the machine, who took size into account along
> with operating specifications. I wonder how the whiners manage to type?
> Maybe they should ask for double-sized keyboards? My NSHO.
>
> John Ragle -- W1ZI
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>

Buck - k4ia

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

In reply to this post by Nicholas Farrar-2

Don't get me wrong. I am a huge fan of all things Elecraft. As far as I
am concerned Eric and Wayne are geniuses - and I mean that. I have been a
K1, 2 and 3 owner. Elecraft is the best.

I am only making a product suggestion and it is for more than a bigger box
with bigger knobs (although that is part of the suggestion). I am
suggesting an integrated station with power supply, amp, maybe a front firing
speaker all in one box. One option would put a P3 in the speaker hole. Its
all modular, so you can put what you want in the box.

Its a different product built around the already fabulous K3 platform. As
for portability, I would rather have everything in one case than a bunch
of smaller pieces to pack up and haul.

Such a radio would blow away the competition. One can dream, no?

Buck
k4ia
k3#101

In a message dated 8/9/2010 2:51:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes:

Apparently the summer silly season is upon us? The ergonomics of the K3
are just fine the way they are. If one wants a bigga box, write to
Magnavox or some furniture manufacturer. I am an ancient and decrepit 77
years old with bad peripheral neuropathy and big fingers, and
nevertheless have no trouble turning knobs or pushing buttons on the K3.
Kudos to the designers of the machine, who took size into account along
with operating specifications. I wonder how the whiners manage to type?
Maybe they should ask for double-sized keyboards? My NSHO.

John Ragle -- W1ZI
______________________________________________________________
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

W8JI

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

In reply to this post by John Ragle

Personal attacks against people, including name calling, are way out of
line.

Some very good operators operate here, and they prefer radios without so
many multifunction knobs.

It isn't because they are silly, whiners, or otherwise incompetent and there
is no reason at all to call names or personally attack anyone for making a
suggestion.

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Ragle" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 2:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Product Suggestion Big Box K3

Grant Youngman

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

This is mostly the "silly season" because the topic just keeps coming up .. over and over. And no one apparently has anything else to do in the summer. So obviously, there is a desire out there for a big huge box with everything anyone could possibly want in it among a few, many, all (-1). It may be perfectly reasonable. Seems to me to beg the point.

But by the time the committee design on the thing is done, it will require a GPS navigator with an associated 60" 1080p 3D screen to find all of the buttons and knobs on the front panel -- which, with all of the accessories requested to be included, including the stereo Klipsch Horn speakers for better audio will occupy a 7' tall 19" rack, or will be a niche product for hams with really really tiny hands that makes Belgian waffles complete with syrup out of the box.

I'm personally quite happy there is an organization and a team driven by a clear set of objectives and design principles, and that this radio is not (mostly at least) a "design by Tuesday's reflector traffic".

Really -- just wait a little while, and some of shore outfit will start selling yet another big radio, that will impress everyone, weigh a ton, be the best contest radio ever created, run no less than 3000W with no key down limit, be flat from 12-30,000 Hz, look the the Eniac, and be the radio that follows the "last and best" radio they'll ever make. And probably work pretty well, too.

Grant/NQ5T

On Aug 9, 2010, at 3:50 PM, Tom W8JI wrote:

> Personal attacks against people, including name calling, are way out of
> line.
>
> Some very good operators operate here, and they prefer radios without so
> many multifunction knobs.
>
> It isn't because they are silly, whiners, or otherwise incompetent and there
> is no reason at all to call names or personally attack anyone for making a
> suggestion.
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Ragle" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 2:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Product Suggestion Big Box K3
>
>
>> Apparently the summer silly season is upon us? The ergonomics of the K3
>> are just fine the way they are. If one wants a bigga box, write to
>> Magnavox or some furniture manufacturer. I am an ancient and decrepit 77
>> years old with bad peripheral neuropathy and big fingers, and
>> nevertheless have no trouble turning knobs or pushing buttons on the K3.
>> Kudos to the designers of the machine, who took size into account along
>> with operating specifications. I wonder how the whiners manage to type?
>> Maybe they should ask for double-sized keyboards? My NSHO.
>>
>> John Ragle -- W1ZI
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

Tony Fegan VE3QF

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

In reply to this post by John Ragle

Hi John and others,

I myself am very pleased in general with the operation and layout of
the K3. It has stood 3 years of discussion and criticism and in general
has passed with flying colours.

That said, there is always room for "add-on" improvement. I don't think
anyone is suggesting a change in the present layout of the K3. If you
are 100% happy with what you have there is no need for further discussion.

The main improvement for some of us is to the ergonomics of the front
panel. The suggestion is for a larger front panel either as an option to
replace the present panel or for a stand-alone panel/case that could
even be used for remote control. Maybe we could get to use that RJ45
socket which has kept us intrigued for so long. Why do radios have a
vertical front panel? A panel set at 45 degrees would be much easier to
see and operate.

In recent years (I'm 79) my various body senses have started to
deteriorate (I don't think I am alone!). My sight is not good. My sense
of touch and manual dexterity has also deteriorated. Yes I manage to
type but with the ring finger of each hand. It is difficult to change
the width control on the K3 without moving the VFO. I cured this by
fitting extra large and long knobs on the width and shift controls. Not
pretty but it works. My only gripe with regard to the buttons is the
control of VOX (aka the sneeze/cough button). The VOX always seems to
take so long to disable and if the sneeze comes too soon you end up
changing bands. I don't like foot switches which is another option.

So, there is lots to dream about. Unfortunately it would be very
difficult for an individual to design and build his own version of front
panel. Any takers?

73
Tony Fegan VE3QF

John Ragle wrote:

John Ragle

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

In reply to this post by Grant Youngman

On 8/9/2010 5:35 PM, Grant Youngman wrote:
> ...by the time the committee design on the thing is done, it will require a GPS navigator with an associated 60" 1080p 3D screen to find all of the buttons and knobs on the front panel -- which, with all of the accessories requested to be included, including the stereo Klipsch Horn speakers for better audio will occupy a 7' tall 19" rack, or will be a niche product for hams with really really tiny hands that makes Belgian waffles complete with syrup out of the box.
>
=====

The "Jackalope" of the radio world. Don't forget the steering wheel!
(LOFL)^2.

John Ragle -- W1ZI
______________________________________________________________
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

kf4by

Re: Product Suggestion Big Box K3

In reply to this post by Nicholas Farrar-2

Thank you, Grant, NQ5T! Well said!

Elecraft has "spoiled" some of these "kids" too much. Kids, you have one of the best rigs on the planet...ENJOY IT! If you want a "Big Box" radio, there are plenty out there go buy one. The size of the K3 was one of the features that appealed to me.

....aaahhhh..... I feel better now! :.-)

Stan, KF4BY
______________________________________________________________
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