[Elecraft] KX3 Approx Cost/User Downloads/Dev

[Don Wilhelm]

John,

I am not Wayne, but I would like to inject a few thoughts.
First, the KX3 is an SDR radio - yes, it is direct conversion, unlike 
the K3 which first mixes to an 8 MHz IF and then processes the DSP at 15 
kHz before going to baseband.  Otherwise, most of the functionality of 
the K3 will be present in the KX3.

While the KX3 will have its own firmware to accomplish the purposes of 
its normal functions, it also offers I/Q outputs, so the user can follow 
it with any amount of user provided or open source software (running in 
a PC or Mac or Linux computer).  That allows separate "user created" SDR 
functions which can be done with the KX3.  The I/Q output of the KX3 
allow an enormous amount of user flexibility and  experimentation above 
and beyond the aim of the KX3 mainstream design -- it is all in the 
"firmware" where firmware is defined as that in the KX3 or as that in 
some external application that processes the signals differently.

In the meantime, the KX3 firmware allows it to be used as a complete 
transceiver in a stand-alone package with the Elecraft provided KX3 
firmware.

IMHO, that is the best of both worlds.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/25/2011 5:35 PM, John Westmoreland wrote:
> Hello Wayne,
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 7:36 AM, Wayne Burdick<n6kr at elecraft.com>  wrote:
>
>> John Westmoreland wrote:
>>
>>   What is the ballpark cost for the KX3?
>> Our target is still $799 for the basic 160-6 meter/10 watt/all-mode KX3
>> kit, less options. Slightly higher when factory assembled. Prices were based
>> on cost of parts in May, and everything is going up industry-wide, so it's
>> possible prices may change by the time we start shipping.
>
> Can I pre-order one today?  I will call, you can charge my CC, and I will
> happily wait.
>
>
>>
>>   Will users be able to download their own code to the KX3?
>> Probably not. As with our other products, we carefully control all aspects
>> of MCU and DSP firmware performance, based our very fast real-time operating
>> system. Making the firmware open-source would create numerous customer
>> support and design challenges.
>>
>>
> Will you tell me what MCU and DSP you are using?
>
> If users are allowed to experiment on their own, of course it will be at our
> own peril.
>
>
>> On the other hand, the KX3 will support the entire K3 remote-control
>> command set, so all existing and future PC/Mac/Linux K3 applications will
>> work with the KX3. Plenty of room for creativity in that domain. I'm
>> picturing control via smart phones, netbooks, and iPads. The KX3's I/Q
>> analog outputs could be used for panadapter apps, etc.
>>
>>
> Backward compatibility isn't that important to me - but for existing users I
> am sure they appreciate this.
>
> I think the obvious selling points are that it is a handheld, and since I
> suppose Mizuho there hasn't been anything new on the market that was a true
> HF handheld.  And also since it is SDR, users should be able download new
> code releases rather easily; even being able to experiment on their own.
>
>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>>