[Elecraft] FT5000 review in Radcom

[Eric Tichansky]

Toby Pennington wrote:
> Strong points for the K3,  lighter weight,  easy to ship,  repairs are not expensive,  and can be done in the field on occasion.  Great performance.......also a great rig for portable operation.    The only negative is the user interface which is not really that great when compared to the competition.  Some will take me to task for this comment,  but I feel it is warranted.  
>   
The user interface is fine for portability, but I would agree that many 
more functions could be mapped out on the front panel, ie. dedicated 
sub-RX controls (bandwidth, preamp/att, etc.), dual S-meters, larger LCD 
so VFO B freq. stays put and text feedback displayed elsewhere.  More 
generous spacing of controls would be a big plus also.  I know it was 
mentioned that there were no plans for a K4, etc., something to the 
effect of protecting K3 owners investment, but I would think an upgrade 
kit with a larger case, front panel, et.al., to bring the ergonomics up 
to "desktop" standards would be considered.  There would be no need to 
replace the internals, other than maybe front panel board, interfacing 
to exiting MPU, etc.  Perhaps even enough empty space left in the new 
case for an internal PS.

73 - Eric NO3M