[Elecraft] K4

[Vic K2VCO]

Following my previous message, I thought I would speculate on what a K4 might be, despite 
my complete lack of inside information.

Elecraft understands their market and I think they will keep more or less the same 
physical size and price point as the K3. I also suspect that Wayne will never design 
something that is big and heavy or consumes a lot of power. Any Elecraft transceiver has 
to be at home in the field as well as in a fixed station.

I expect that a K4 would have the same general architecture as the K3, but might include 
some higher-performance pieces such as a better first mixer or an ADC converter that can 
handle stronger signals. Alternatively it might even be a 'pure' SDR if it's possible to 
get the performance that way. The main CPU and DSP units will be certainly be more powerful.

There will be changes in the user interface. I am not sure how Wayne will do it, but the 
market wants dedicated band buttons. Maybe it will end up just a little bigger than the K3.

I think we are talking evolution rather than revolution. Maybe they will take a page from 
Apple and call it the K3s instead of K4!

Again, I have absolutely no inside information, just thinking out loud.

On 4/28/2012 8:11 AM, Vic K2VCO wrote:
> At some point there will need to be a K4. I'm sure that Elecraft will keep improving the
> K3 with firmware and hardware upgrades for some time, but one day there will be enough
> improvements possible with newer technology and new ideas that a complete redesign will be
> the best way to incorporate them.
>
> After all, the competition doesn't sit still.


-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco