[Elecraft] Beyond the K2, Part 1 of 3

[Bruce Thompson]

This series of posts is the result of a brainstorm session (scary
thought) about what I would like in a follow up of the K2.  I have not
completely thought through all the ideas either (that's what you guys
are for!), and what a brainstorm session is all about.  It's intended to
start discussion, not finish it.  Other folks have mentioned some of
these ideas but I thought I would add my comments.

An Elecraft SWL Receiver  (KSWL2)
 
I also like the idea of an Elecraft SWL receiver but, as others have
pointed out, it needs to be integrated with the K2.  Using it for dual
watch capability is just one of the many things it could do.  I like the
idea of just a receiver because I believe there is a market for a kit
receiver for non-K2 owners.  The same kit would expand the capabilities
of anyone's K2 to that of some of the bigger rigs further expanding its
addressable market.  I also don't think I need another transmitter
(maybe for backup) so I don't think I need another K2.  I really don't
want a "K3" either that would somehow make my K2 redundant.  I think a
K2 plus this unit could be a pretty good substitute.   

I think it also follows the Elecraft philosophy of building modular
systems:  to create a modular radio system the customer can create over
time that ultimately would be more powerful than any single unit.  By
being modular, the customer can configure and customize the radio system
for their own individual tastes and needs.  Just look at the K2
capabilities now.  Adding things like the 100 watt amp and the external
ATU are all completely integrated into the operation of the rig.

Capabilities of the Receiver

Wayne, (and just about anyone else on this list for that matter) is
better at receiver design than I am so I won't comment much on the
specs.  However, there are a couple of key things I would like to see
from a user's point of view.

1. IF shift.  I use this on my other rigs on crowded bands and it seems
to help a lot.
2. DSP.  I use some sort of DSP with every rig I use.  I'm stuck with
audio level DSP for now and would really like to have some sort of IF
DSP for the simple fact that when some carrier comes in over a signal,
even if the autonotch kicks in, the receiver gain is reduced.  (Why do
people insist on tuning exactly on the DX's frequency?)
3. Others have asked for DDS but I'm not completely convinced of it yet.
Might be needed for a general coverage design though.  The key will be
to be able to sync up the two receivers.
4. Satellite tuning capabilities.  I actually have a slot in the
mountains around here that I can at least see AO-40.  This brings up the
issue of coverage in the VHF and UHF areas.  Could be handy for
satellite operations but...

One question I have been wrestling with is, if the receiver is mated
with the K2, does the receiver have to have the same outstanding
specifications that the K2 receiver has?  Of course it would be nice and
any dual watch scheme should support switching frequencies between the
two receivers to use the unique capabilities to the proper advantage.
Many comments have been made over the years on this reflector about the
tradeoffs between the direct conversion design of the K2 and a general
coverage design needed for the SWL receiver.  Comments?
A Better Display
Maybe because I'm a computer geek/techno-junkie at heart but I would
like a nice looking LCD display (color?) with softkeys.  I like the idea
that I could program the location and action of some custom softkeys so
I could customize the behavior of the system to the way I like it.  I
haven't had much of a chance to play with radio that support them but a
band scope could be very useful.   I don't know how cost effective an
LCD-based receiver-only would be but as part of an overall system
interface, I think there is real value.  Interesting tradeoff. 

Expanded Audio Capabilities

One of the weaknesses of at least my K2 is the ability to pump out
enough volume in a mobile environment to understand the other station
given the background noise.  The old adage that, "You can't work 'em if
you can't hear 'em" applies.  I don't know if it is something with my
particular rig/truck/antenna/mountains combination but there are many
times I can tell a station is there but I can't turn up the volume high
enough to understand what is being said (SSB if you hadn't figured it
out).  I've made just about every mod possible but I still have to do
things like pump the audio into the car stereo to get it loud enough.
I've documented and posted the steps I've followed to try to improve the
situation.  Basically I have to run full RF gain, full, AF gain, with
the preamp on, (after it was modified for even more gain), nearly all
the time.  Yes, it sounds like something is wrong but I have as yet
discovered the problem.  The next step is to find someone in the area
with a K2 that can be put in place of mine to isolate the problem.

Given this amplifier bias (oh, that was a bad pun), I would like to have
the option of putting in an audio amplifier with enough power to run the
rig in a mobile environment.  As pointed out earlier, I always use a DSP
to cut the background noise that makes listening to HF fatiguing.
Supporting some type of mixer to allow adjusting balance between the K2
receiver, this receiver, and maybe a 2m rig could be pretty nice.  I'll
leave it to others to figure out how to create the user interface for
that!

While we're on the topic of audio, I think a cool option would be to
support bidirectional streaming audio via an IP connection.  (See
interface connections below).  This could be one of the first radios you
could plug onto a network and access completely through your PC.  Yes,
while you can do this with a dedicated PC, I hate dedicating,
supporting, shielding, and maintaining a separate PC just for this.  

A voice keyer built in could be useful as well.  Driving takes priority
so it would be nice for the rig to say it's frequency. That could be an
interesting use of a mouse button (see below).

I'd also like the option for a real interface for sound cards to run
things like PSK-31 that has the isolation built in.  I hate building
those silly things.

End of part 1


--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
The reason this message is shown is because the post was in HTML
or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To learn how
to post in Plain-Text go to: http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---