Will there be a K4
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On 3/24/2019 4:39 PM, John Stengrevics wrote:
> Cardinal rule of business: New products, new products, new products. Also a great way to go out of biz, getting rolled over by much bigger companies with much higher volume. Wayne and Eric know their place in the ham market -- indeed, they have defined it! 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 |
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In reply to this post by Ronnie Hull
Hi Eric,
I own an early K3, early KAT500, early KPA500, and early KPA1500. Each a great product with great documentation and customer support. I now also own a FLEX 6600. SDR is the future of radio. The P3 just is not state of the art, and it's poor value for its cost. Its shortcomings are numerous and known. The Flex has DAX which vastly decreases the complexity of connectivity and keeps ports organized. The Flex panafall display puts most controls at your finger tips rather than buried in menus. The Flex exploits other SDR capabilities: Multiple bands can be displayed simultaneously. A single Flex can do SO2R. But the Flex has many shortcomings compared to the K-line: Poor and frequently outdated documentation. Marginal customer service. Features like remote capability, integration with non-Flex software, and SO2R may be more difficult to implement than their ads would lead you to believe. Those lacking networking skills may be at a disadvantage. A great SDR radio with Flex- like capabilities in connectivity and panafall display and function that also has Elecraft quality documentation and customer support would move Elecraft back to leadership in HF radios. I have not been able to part with my K3. We have too much history. But I now operate with my Flex driving the KPA1500. I'd dump the Flex in a heartbeat if a K4 could match or beat Flex functions and maintain Elecraft's current level of documentation and customer service. K4KGG, Larry ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Folks - we closed this “Will there be a K4” thread yesterday. In the interest of relieving reader email overload from the large number of email postings, let's let it rest for now.
73, Eric Mooderator elecraft.com _..._ ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Hi Peter,
No problem. We certainly love the input, but this volume of email quickly saturates a large number of our readers, so we try to keep it under control. Of course, direct emails with suggestions to both of us are always welcome! :-) 73, Eric /elecraft.com/ On 3/26/2019 6:34 AM, Peter Hall wrote: > Eric, > > I apologise for missing that mail but am amazed you'd want to shut down the discussion. But it's your sandpit! > > Cheers, > Peter > > Sent from my iPad > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Gordon LaPoint-2
Some thoughts on the K4...
Make/keep it modular. Start with a basic radio that provides an excellent electronic foundation for whatever builds on top of it. The model in this respect is the initial K3. This allows for flexibility in configuring a radio that can accommodate the different needs/desires/budgets in the ham community. It also provides for a manageable initial price with the cost of future "expansions" spread out over time. By the way, "upgrade" makes the basic radio sound as if it's a dummied down version that needs more expensive stuff to make it worth while. "Extensions" sounds like what it is without short-sheeting the basic unit. Resist the call to include every ham shack wire and gadget in the basic radio. Doing so compromises the "modular" criteria and ends up with an "all things for all people" radio that tends to satisfy hardly anyone. Not to mention cost of production and repair and the operating complexity that many hams will reject. Concerning this last point, remember all those who complain about the complexity of stacked menus. Personally, I would not include touch screens. A touch screen for radio control seem to me to be an individual interest/appreciation that does not, by its self, increase radio usability and capability. Just because a technology can be applied to a given function does not mean that doing so will enhance that function. Of course, marketing issues can influence this decision. But note that contest stations, DX-peditions, and discerning operators do not seem to be put off by the simple, almost rudimentary UI of the K3-S. I would think that capability, extendability and packaging are the major selling points, not bells, whistles and cosmetics. All that said, I'm confident that the Elecraft team will do the right thing, both for the health of the company and the enjoyment of the amateur radio community. ...robert On 3/25/2019 12:25, Gordon LaPoint wrote: > I would love an SDR (I have an ANAN-10e) with a front panel and the > software for the computer, best of both worlds. I have an Apache Labs > ANAN-7000 DLE Mk2 (without computer) on order, but would love to replace > that with the K4, that is full SDR with dual ADC's like the ANAN-7000. > > I have a K2(10Watt) and a K3 (updated, but not USB module), KPA/KAP 500 > combo and will keep all of the Elecraft equipment. > > I love the bandscope that I can click on with the mouse and tune the > radio to a signal, the K4 needs a band scope on the computer screen when > used with a computer! > > PureSignal on TX is now a must, get ahead of everyone, except the Apache > Labs radios. > > Better noise reduction, (even the ANAN-10e has better) > > CW as good as the K3, or better. > > That is a good start, lets see what others come up with. > > Gordon - N1MGO (long time K3 user) > > On 3/24/19 8:14 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote: >> Inquiring minds want to know: >> What would you all like to see as a “K4” ? >> >> Eric >> elecraft.com >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 > -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY [hidden email] Syracuse, New York, USA ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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A thought on touch screens.
I love them on my cell phone for the most part, very easy to use and all in the palm of my hand. Clever technology that is very freeing. As to them on the radio, I have a different take; I'm getting old and I'm finding years after some accidents, two years on crutches when young, martial arts back when it was realistic, and activity generated arthritis in my shoulder has made it more uncomfortable to keep my arm extended with my wrist in an up position. I even find myself hurting after playing guitar for a couple hours, never experienced that till as of late. I fear using a touch screen would become uncomfortable after not too much active use. Perhaps if there were a remote tablet that could be on the desk instead of the touch screen on the radio, that might be more comfortable. 73, Gary KA1J ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Bingo!!! I used a Genovation for K3 control (placing the keypad beside
me at the edge of my desk). Worked great - until the keypad quit. I reverted back to using HRD. Then I got an IC-7300 with the touch screen and a stylus. Moved the radio out on the desk so I can reach it easily (and lost desktop space). Good radio with lots of modern features and personalization choices. Then I reverted back using HRD (remember the lost desktop space?). HRD can be somewhat customized as to what controls are on screen, but it is a one size fits all system. Hence, with the limited rig related customization it offers, it is not the end all rig control system - too much attention has been paid to digital, rotors, DXing, logging, etc. Not enough time spent on rig control. Maybe I am the only person in the world solely interested in rig control software? All that said, the idea of a full featured tablet-like remote control I can hold in my lap would just be GREAT!!! I just have to live long enough to see this happen. Life is good at my shack - the snow is going away! ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Phase lock the synthesizer to the external 10 MHz reference.
73, tom w7sua On 3/24/2019 5:14 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote: > Inquiring minds want to know: > What would you all like to see as a “K4” ? > > Eric > elecraft.com ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Keep it modular.
Keep the "basic unit" simple. Focus on performance, not bells and whistles. Keep the UI simple and direct, functional, not "cute." Remember that there's no "forever upward;" asymptotes do exist. Investigate how the price can be brought down [if at all] without sacrificing performance or company financial stability. Remember that while the K3'etc is a great radio, the company behind the radio is as great as the technical stuff. Nourish the company. Thanks for asking! ...robert > On 3/24/2019 5:14 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote: >> Inquiring minds want to know: >> What would you all like to see as a ???K4??? ? >> >> Eric >> elecraft.com > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY [hidden email] Syracuse, New York, USA ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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So basically a K3S :-D
The only thing I think it might be nice to see is a way for ALE (ie, HFlink) to work/scan totally silently, which I guess would mean totally diode-switched filters and a mode where the ATU could automatically be bypassed during receive and enabled during transmit? (the latter could sort of be achieved today with the software sending the right commands of course) Cosmetically, the unit's display is starting to look & feel a little clunky by 2019 standards, but this is such a minor thing. But honestly the K3S has left me wanting for so little that it's somewhat difficult for me to imagine altogether very many ways to improve it, though I've only been operating with it about a year. Nick On Fri, 3 May 2019 at 17:01, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft < [hidden email]> wrote: > Keep it modular. > Keep the "basic unit" simple. > Focus on performance, not bells and whistles. > Keep the UI simple and direct, functional, not "cute." > Remember that there's no "forever upward;" asymptotes do exist. > Investigate how the price can be brought down [if at all] without > sacrificing performance or company financial stability. > Remember that while the K3'etc is a great radio, the company behind the > radio is as great as the technical stuff. Nourish the company. > Thanks for asking! > > ...robert > > > On 3/24/2019 5:14 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote: > >> Inquiring minds want to know: > >> What would you all like to see as a ???K4??? ? > >> > >> Eric > >> elecraft.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > > 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 > > -- > Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY > [hidden email] > Syracuse, New York, USA > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > -- *N6OL* Saying something doesn't make it true. Belief in something doesn't make it real. And if you have to lie to support a position, that position is not worth supporting. ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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