Posted by
Buck on
May 19, 2019; 3:09am
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/K4-Observations-tp7651899.html
The following is offered based on my observations and discussions at the
Elecraft booth. I am *not* an official, or even unofficial, Elecraft
spokesman and stand willing to be corrected.
First, this is going to be another game-changer from Elecraft. The
radio will have outstanding performance figures and an interface to die
for. The screen is beautiful and functions can be controlled from
either buttons or the touch-screen. There is band-stacking on the touch
screen, a nit people have complained about on the K3.
The radio is full SDR as opposed to the analog front end of the K3.
However an option, the K4HD, is a superhet receive function. Like
previous Elecraft radios, this can be added later if you think you need
it. Preliminary is that it will not be necessary unless you operate in
the presence of strong stations (multi-multi).
Another option has a second set of band pass filters and ADC module that
will allow the two receivers to operate on different bands or antennas
(K4D).
The radio contains a Linux computer so all this magic does not require
an external computer except for logging or audio input. The rig will be
addressable locally or over the internet with no additional software. I
saw it operated from an iPad and Android is coming. The iPad screen
looked exactly like the front panel, including the panadapter.
There are multiple USB ports, an Ethernet port, RS232 and an HDMI port
so you can project the front panel, or parts of it, to an external
monitor. The panadapter looks awesome on the external monitor and you
will be able to point and click to QSY the radio.
The prices are targets but I got the impression the final will be very
close. The cost is less than a fully loaded K3s. The kit version will
be cheaper than factory-assembled and ship several months later to allow
time to write the assembly manual. Target for the factory version is
November.
I suspect the K4 will replace the K3 series as K3s sales are sure to
suffer because of product age and competition from the K4. I did not
hear any talk about sun-setting the K3s when the K4 comes out. I am
sure there are many people who will want to buy the basic K3s and
upgrade over time (or not) rather than plunk down $4,000 for the K4.
What does this do to the value of a K3 or K3s? I expect there will be
some coming on the market. Anyone who buys, or retains, a K3 or K3s
will still have one of the finest radios ever made. We are at the point
where the difference among the top 5 or so on Sherwood's charts is a
decibel or two, almost within the margin of error and certainly beyond
the ability of the human ear to discern. So, don't panic. The demand
for the K3 series will be strong for many years to come.
Keep an eye on the website as more information comes from Watsonville.
--
Buck, k4ia
Honor Roll
8BDXCC
EasyWayHamBooks.com
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp:
http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:
[hidden email]
This list hosted by:
http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list:
http://www.qsl.net/donate.html