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Since Wayne indicates they're open to the possibility of 70cm,
eventually, and some subsequent comments consider a couple approaches: Since there is room for both 20w HF tuner and 2m module, perhaps the 70cm module could occupy the space for the tuner to provide 2m/70cm, or Perhaps a combo 2m/70cm dual-band transverter as single package, or A dual-band transverter as a separate piggy-back package that would clamp-on to the back of the KX3, thus allowing the 20w HF tuner in addition. That would provide more space to obtain full 10w output for both. I do get the objective to have "everything" inside the KX3, but there are simply limitations to what will fit. Finally, a comment about the FT-817. I was amazed to get HF-to-light in the FT-847 and then two years later they shrink it into a 5w version, wow! It was a good radio, for its time, but did not encompass DSP in the initial unit. Now the age of SDR is finally coming into full swing! I am amazed to find that I will own three SDR once the KX3 arrives: 2007 SDR-IQ, 2009-K3, 2012-KX3. Simply amazing! ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:57:25 +0000 From: Thomas Horsten <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [FT817] Vs ELECRAFT To: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> Cc: Elecraft <[hidden email]> Message-ID: <[hidden email]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi Wayne, Not stopping me from getting a KX3 (I've already ordered mine), but to completely replace my FT-817 it *would* be nice with 2m/70cm support. As I understand it the internal 2m module comes at the expense of the ATU, so I guess that won't be an option for me. The "killer KX3" would have both the ATU and not only 2m but also 70cm operation, but I guess that just can't be done in the space available. The FT-817ND doesn't have an internal ATU but works well with the LDG one I have, but having to carry both around does take some of the freedom away, and I'm sure that carrying just the KX3 with the internal ATU and some wire for an antenna will be a great experience. On the other hand, I'll probably mostly use it with my LiPol 8Ah 12V battery, just to get the extra output power. Since I have to carry an internal ATU for the 817, maybe an external 70cm/2m transverter would be a possibility for the KX3? I'm guessing the XV-series of transverters would work with the KX3, but they are a bit big. If there was a combined 70cm/2m option for the KX3 in a smaller case, I'd certainly buy it immediately. 73, Thomas M0TRN 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [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 |
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What the heck, since everyone is making wishes. Has there been any
consideration of an all-mode 222-MHz option? That would really make Elecraft stand out in the field even more. Yes, I know that they offer an external transverter. I might consider that if there is a low-level output to drive it with the KX3. I have a K2 but not the 60m/transverter interface. Oddly, from my research, there is precious little 222 MHz activity in the greater Los Angeles/Orange County area except during contests, and quite a bit of that is FM simplex. Thus, it's an expensive option, considering the need for an antenna as well. 73 de Jim - AD6CW On 12/30/2011 8:59 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote: > Since Wayne indicates they're open to the possibility of 70cm, > eventually, and some subsequent comments consider a couple approaches: > > Since there is room for both 20w HF tuner and 2m module, perhaps the > 70cm module could occupy the space for the tuner to provide 2m/70cm, or > > Perhaps a combo 2m/70cm dual-band transverter as single package, or > > A dual-band transverter as a separate piggy-back package that would > clamp-on to the back of the KX3, thus allowing the 20w HF tuner in > addition. That would provide more space to obtain full 10w output for both. > > I do get the objective to have "everything" inside the KX3, but there > are simply limitations to what will fit. > > Finally, a comment about the FT-817. I was amazed to get HF-to-light > in the FT-847 and then two years later they shrink it into a 5w > version, wow! It was a good radio, for its time, but did not > encompass DSP in the initial unit. Now the age of SDR is finally > coming into full swing! I am amazed to find that I will own three > SDR once the KX3 arrives: 2007 SDR-IQ, 2009-K3, 2012-KX3. Simply amazing! > > 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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Jim,
Adding VHF+ frequencies to a HF/6m radio has nearly always been some kind of transverter. Afterall most modern receivers (transceivers) are based on the superhetrodyne design, which mixes down to a low enough IF for proper filtering/detection of the signal. A transceiver is just a single stage of mixing up/down (usually). Then "all of a sudden" we are making direct-conversions radios, again, only they also do conversion to digital and we call them SDR's (because filtering, noise reduction, and demodulation is done better in the digital world). I would say the KX3 "IS" that all the way to 54-MHz? (since I have to guess - not seeing a block diagram). A the present state of the art operating higher in frequency requires conversion (mixing) down the base SDR frequency (aka 50-54). It won't be long until direct conversion SDR will operate to 1296 (does anyone remember 8-MHz cpu clocks?). Whether the conversion (transverter) is done inside one case or an add-on it still is a transverter. So all it really takes is the willingness to make one for whatever band, be it 144, 222, 432, or ...??? In fact it is really a business decision. Is there a market? Is there competition? What is the return on investment (ROI)? The 220 (and now 222-MHz) band has always been a "orphan band" because it is not a world-wide amateur radio allocation. That means the market is smaller (ergo ROI is smaller). It sort of like that decision we as hams make whether to spend money on equipment for a band with little activity! What it the ROI for buying such? How much fun per buck? Well, I will say if we based all of our ham decisions totally on ROI, we would not have opened up the "upper highs above 200m" a century ago. Someone has to be first, and hope that others will be interested in following. I am just finishing my 222-28 transverter which will connect to the two 11-element 220 yagi's I put up in Nov. 2008. This to talk to possibly a half-dozen stations 70-miles away (closest 222 activity). That amounts to about $60 per initial QSO (just on the transverter cost). The total ham pop in Alaska is 3800 and over half only do HF. Probably there are several times that in LA, alone! I would guess Elecraft is forward looking enough that you may (eventually) get your wish for adding 222 to the KX3. Look how quick they responded to desire for 144. (BTW don't even ask me what my ROI is for the $8,000 dish I put up for 1296-eme; better one is the one contact on 10-GHz in AK). In fact eme is the "justification" for my spending very much on such esoteric bands; I have the whole world to work. PS: My understanding is that the power level of the KX3 is adjustable down quite low making transverter interface possible. It still might require adding attenuation on transmit. ----------------------- What the heck, since everyone is making wishes. Has there been any consideration of an all-mode 222-MHz option? That would really make Elecraft stand out in the field even more. Yes, I know that they offer an external transverter. I might consider that if there is a low-level output to drive it with the KX3. I have a K2 but not the 60m/transverter interface. Oddly, from my research, there is precious little 222 MHz activity in the greater Los Angeles/Orange County area except during contests, and quite a bit of that is FM simplex. Thus, it's an expensive option, considering the need for an antenna as well. 73 de Jim - AD6CW 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [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 |
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