[Elecraft] K4

[Edward R. Cole]

When I bought my K3/10 (w/sub-Rx) at near $3K I promised my wife this 
was "the last radio I would buy in my life"!  So, OK, I lied (fibbed 
is nicer) and bought a KX3.  But my intention is still the same: the 
K3 promised non-obsolescence since it was a SDR in its 
heart.  Elecraft has more than met the challenge with a solid stream 
of firmware upgrades/improvements.

I am aware that hardware will continue to evolve and in time some of 
the components of the K3 will become "old stuff".  But I am hoping 
that the K3 line will be extended new life with module upgrades when 
that occurs vs obsolescense by bringing out a "K4" which I will most 
certainly not be able to afford (I robbed my 401K for the K3).

After having my K3 for two years I have come to believe it is the 
best radio one can get at any price.  If the hardware can be improved 
thru upgrades along with firmware improvements I see there being no 
reason to abandon the K3 (it will be the K4).

So this is my way of gently lobbying for this approach vs the new 
model run-out business model.  The computer industry does this 
already too much.

AS far as a 1.5kW sspa I am not in that market so does not play a 
part in my purchasing behavior.  I might some day opt for the KPA500 
if running 270w seems too "feeble"...but not likely since I was 
having plenty fun at 12w with the K3/10.

I am one of the non-HF users of the K3 whose ranks are 
increasing.  The K3 (and now the KX3) have come under notice of eme 
and VHF/mw users who will invest their kw$ on the higher frequencies 
6m+.  My upcoming paper on using the KX3+KX3-2M as IF radio for mw 
will help encourage those folks to look at Elecraft products.


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-?
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