[Elecraft] Big box K3

[Steve Harvey]

I don't really have a horse in this race because I am personally very happy
with my K3 (#693) and, knowing that Wayne's Engineering degree included
emphasis on Engineering Ergonomics, I am satisfied that he has given us the
best possible radio in the form factor that is most popular to most people
who represent his target market.

However, while there is nothing wrong with dreaming and asking for changes,
I wonder how many of the Big Box k3 requesters have considered the magnitude
of the effort required on Elecraft's part to deliver such a thing.

First, the job would not be as trivial as simply re-packaging the insides in
a bigger box.  It would involve the design and testing of a new RF board and
front panel in order to remove controls and displays to a different front
panel (which would also have to be designed and tested) and to remove ports
to a different back panel. Internal cable routing, shielding, and structural
support would have to be altered with consequent testing as well. Cramming
the P3, KPA500, and a power supply inside would only complicate things
further. Also, because functions would have to be removed from menus and
associated with front panel hardware, the firmware would have to be
rewritten, which would require two versions to be maintained in parallel and
alpha/beta tested for each release to keep them in sync.  Elecraft is a
small company, and most of the design and programming is done by only a
couple of people whose jobs would grow enormously, and which would deprive
other, more critical projects of their time and effort.

Second, how much would the Big Box people be willing to pay for the upgrade,
and how many could Elecraft expect to sell?  My guess is that in order to
amortize the time and materials to develop such an upgrade given the
considerations above, each unit could cost as much as the K3 itself
(possibly more depending on expected sales volume), which could bring it
into the price range of some of the "big iron" with which it favorably
competes, both cost- and feature-wise.  I suspect that there would not be
many takers at those prices.

I'm sorry that some of the current owners of K3s seem to be disappointed in
it.  Every engineering project is a trade-off, and I think that Wayne and
Eric represent the Burt Rutans of the radio world.  Given that, I don't
think that even Burt Rutan would consider adapting a VariEze (K2) or a
Starship (K3) into an AirBus form factor, and I doubt that very many
customers would buy one.


73 de Steve, NN0B


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas Farrar [mailto:nfarrar at bfpacs.com] 
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 7:32 PM
To: elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] Big box K3

*
So stop making noise just to be heard. What Im asking for would affect you
anti-changer zero. And we all got it a few post back Phil... you dont like
change.... fine. Then if you dont have any thing constructive to add, don't
play. Some of us do want something new. Something more. The K3 is GREAT! But
even the Queen of England could stand to refine herself a bit more. The
beauty of what Im asking for in not the end of the K3. Its just enhancement.
Why do some people fly off the handle of something so small. Take your toys
and go home. Dont spoil our party on the idea of a larger K3(K3A).




Phil Hystad* phystad at mac.com
<elecraft%40mailman.qth.net?Subject=Re:%20%5BElecraft%5D%20Big%20box%20K3&In
-Reply-To=%3C86842DC2-2AE9-4C26-95C1-77ED5E41E630%40mac.com%3E>
*Mon Aug 9 21:13:21 EDT 2010*


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------------------------------

It seems to be that a bigger K3 is a different radio then the K3 and
should be called something different.  No, not even K3A or whatever.

I probably would not buy one though.  I like my K3 as it is.  If there
is some great new technology that is embraced by Elecraft that does
not fit the K3, then maybe it is time for a K4.  If that is in a
bigger box, then so be it if that is needed.  But, to have a bigger
box merely to use space is not my obsession.

I think the IC-7800 and the FT-9000 whatever are in very big boxes.
When I first saw the FT-9000 my first thought was "No, I don't want
that".

I am surprised Eric hasn't put the kibosh to this thread -- maybe they
are listening to the comments.  If you are, I vote for status quo.

PEH

--
Nicholas W. Farrar
Network Engineer / IT Coordinator

Brown Folse PACS
nfarrar at bfpacs.com

Office  318-595-0451
Mobile 318-381-9863
Fax     866-248-6128