[Elecraft] Announcing the Elecraft K3 Transceiver: 10/100W, 160-6m,
Assembled or Kit
David A. Belsley
belsley at bc.edu
Sat Apr 28 08:50:27 EDT 2007
Wayne:
This looks beautiful. Does the firmware download facility work
with all platforms (Mac as well)? or is it only for Windows-based
things?
thanks,
dave belsley, w1euy
On Apr 28, 2007, at 2:23 AM, wayne burdick wrote:
> Greetings!
>
> This afternoon at the DX Convention in Visalia, CA, we unveiled a
> new top-of-the-line transceiver -- the Elecraft K3. This is the
> culmination of three years of design, test, and refinement, and we
> believe the K3 will set a new standard for performance and value in
> its class. It has features and performance comparable to present
> radios ranging from $4000 to $12000.
>
> (We'd like to thank the many surprised convention attendees. What
> they all said boils down to something like "Yes!")
>
> A full K3 web page will be set up by Monday, complete with order
> form and other details. Meanwhile, please take a look at the
> temporary page:
>
> http://www.elecraft.com/K3
>
> Among other things, you'll find a very high-resolution front panel
> photo (as well as other photos):
>
> http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3_big_v2.jpg
>
> And the K3 data sheet:
>
> http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3_Data%20Sheet_rev06.pdf
>
> There's also an order form that could be printed and mailed, but
> sometime on Monday the on-line order page will be up and running,
> which is the preferred method.
>
> As explained on the order form, you can reserve a K3 now for
> initial shipments in July. A 50% deposit is requested if you'd like
> to secure one of the first 200 production units (serial numbers
> 20-220, probably).
>
> Here's a quick summary of the K3's specs:
>
> - K3/100 and K3/10 models (the K3/10 can be upgraded very easily,
> internally, to a K3/100)
>
> - Basic K3 price ranges from $1399 to $1989 depending on whether
> you start with the
> 10-watt or 100-watt model, and whether you choose factory
> assembled or
> modular, no-soldering, kit (this is the subject of the next
> email).
>
> - Desktop/portable size: 4"H x 10"W x 10"D (10 x 25 x 25 cm) --
> optimized for both
> home and travel use
>
> - All modes (SSB, CW, DATA, AM, FM, plus AM-sync receive, and
> built-in PSK31/TTY decoder)
>
> - High-dynamic range, down-conversion architecture, plus 32-bit
> I.F. DSP
> for software-defined capabilities (and lots of room for future
> expansion)
>
> - Optional subreceiver with *identical* performance to the main
> receiver,
> including a fully independent front end, its own set of roofing
> filters,
> its own DSP, and low-noise synthesizer; binaural or combined
> receiver audio
>
> - Up to five crystal roofing filters *per receiver*, with
> bandwidths as narrow as 200 Hz
>
> - Narrow ham-band filtering, plus optional general-coverage
> receive filters
> (can be added to either or both receivers)
>
> - Internal 100-W ATU option with two antenna jacks
>
> - 100 W PA module includes two large fans, circuit breaker, full
> parameter monitoring
>
> - All signal sources phase-locked to common 49.380 MHz reference
> oscillator;
> 1 PPM TCXO option, firmware-correctable to better than 0.5 PPM
>
> - Built-in PSK31, RTTY, and CW decoding and display allows use of
> digital modes with or *without* a computer; use CW keyer paddle or
> attached computer for casual, two-way data QSOs
>
> - Advanced noise reduction; auto- and manual notch. Noise blanker
> included (both
> I.F. hardware pulse blanker and DSP noise blanking)
>
> - Easy-to-use DSP shift/width and locut/hicut controls with
> automatic crystal filter
> selection based on selected passband width (in real-time -- no
> filter calculation delays)
>
> - Dedicated CW/voice message buttons; optional digital voice
> recorder
>
> - 100 general frequency memories with alphanumeric text labeling,
> plus 4 scratchpad memories per band
>
> - Full-custom, optimized, segmented LCD with two VFO displays,
> alphanumeric text, and
> dedicated filter passband graphic
>
> - Rich I/O set: stereo speaker outputs, fully isolated soundcard
> interface, dedicated RS-232
> I/O (and optional USB adapter), receive antenna in/out jacks
> (for patching in RX filters, etc.),
> and both front- and rear-panel mic and headphone jacks
>
> - One-click PC firmware download program checks for updates
> automatically and quickly
> updates microcontroller and DSP firmware
>
> If you have any questions on specifications, performance, etc.,
> that are not answered by the data sheet, feel free to email
> wayne at elecraft.com.
>
> Sales questions should go to Lisa:
>
> sales at elecraft.com
>
> We'd like to acknowledge the hard work of the following colleagues:
>
> Lyle Johnson, KK7P (DSP, digital I/O, audio I/O, many of the PC
> boards, and countless critical tasks)
> Bob Friess, N6CM (RF deck, ATU, high-performance 1st mixer, noise
> blanker, other receiver design)
> John Grebenkemper, KI6WX (synthesizer, general receiver
> architecture)
> Brian Broggie, W6FVI (manufacturing engineering -- say hi to him
> at Visalia tomorrow)
> Paul Russell (purchasing)
> Lisa Jones (who somehow held down the fort during the entire
> process)
>
> Eric (WA6HHQ), as usual, applied pressure in all the right places
> to ensure that this would be the best radio we could make: he's Mr.
> Performance and Features. Wayne (N6KR -- yours truly) was the
> principle designer, and also got to do all the fun parts
> (packaging, firmware, and Owner's manual). And that's why he gets
> to answer your questions :)
>
> We'd also like to express our thanks to our very patient 15-member
> focus group. Over a period of about a year, they endured a never-
> ending series of concept drawings, refinements, and feature
> discussions. They're a distinguished bunch! I'm sure you'll hear
> from some of them as the K3 is discussed at length.
>
> Finally: thanks to all of you who have generously contributed ideas
> for a hypothetical K3 during our many on-line "fishing
> expeditions." You had wonderful input, and I hope we've created the
> radio you've always wanted.
>
> 73,
> Wayne, N6KR
> Eric, WA6HHQ
>
>
> ---
>
> http://www.elecraft.com
>
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--------------------------------------------
david a belsley
professor emeritus at boston college
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