[Elecraft] 6M mast mounted preamplifier

[Ian White GM3SEK]

Samuel Strongin wrote:
>
>
>>A discussion got started yesterday about mast-mounted preamps on 6M. As I
>> peruse the available products, it seems that something that 
>>integrates  with
>> the K-3 would be a nice Elecraft product offering. Of course all of the
>> other VHF-UHF bands matched to the transverters would be additional nice
>> offerings.
>>
>> Features I would be interested in are (other than low noise):
>> 1) Full QSK T/R switching, ability to listen between dots on CW
>> 2) Power and control via the coax connector, no additional wires
>> 3) Controllable gain from the K3
>> 4) 100 Watt Tx capability
>> 5) Perhaps narrow-band pass-band tuning that tracks the VFO
>> 6) Multi-band options for antennas that are multi-band single feed such as
>> 144-432 MHz.
>>
>How about 1500 watt capibility, 100 watts would be a joke.

Such a product is nowhere even close to Elecraft's 'core business' - 
even the specialized VHF aftermarket suppliers don't offer such a 
device.

Let's concentrate on what we can reasonably expect as part of a desktop 
transceiver called the "K3".

>The basic problem is that  -138db is deaf on 6 meters. Try to work weak 
>f2 from europe with that lack of sensivity. I really like the K3,but it 
>is obvious that 6 was not a priority in the design.I most likely will 
>still buy one.

Elecraft have accepted that comment. Wayne has explained how an external 
preamp can be looped in via the KXV3, so there's our workaround for next 
year's Es season.

The beauty of the K3 is that all the RF front-end modules are pluggable. 
I'd bet that an inboard 6m preamp option will arrive before the F2 does!


-- 

73 from Ian GM3SEK