[Elecraft] K3 and whats next from Elecraft

[Fred Jensen]

On 8/18/2013 12:39 PM, Trevor Dunne wrote:
> Hi All
>
> I have been reading the mail here for some time while I debate the
> purchase of a K3 in my head. I can't help to notice the lack of
> subjects covering the K3 and the lack of new firmware in over 4
> months.

Perfectly normal.  You don't see a lot of K2, K1, and KX1 posts either, 
or posts for the mini-kit accessories.  They're mature products, 
additions and changes naturally tend to decrease as time goes by.  I'm 
not an "insider" but I seem to remember Elecraft recently re-designed 
the K2DSP board for a new part when a component became unavailable.

The K3 has been around for 10(?) years or so, early on there were many 
K3 ideas and suggestions on this list, a number of which were 
incorporated into the evolving firmware.  As time went on, the number of 
"features" on the list declined, which is natural.  The K3 firmware is 
very stable and well tested and while people still occasionally come up 
with a new "wrinkle" they want included, I for one am more than happy 
that there isn't a new firmware version every week or so. :-)
>
> Would if be fair to think that development has finished on the K3 and
> that now all the accessories(amp,P3,ATU,ect) are in place, also the
> KX3 and matching amp are out there, Have the good people in Elecraft
> moved on to develop a new radio a K4 maybe ????

I retired from engineering as a Division Chief Engineer.  I had a sign 
framed over my desk that read, "In the life of every project, there 
comes a time when you must shoot all the engineers and begin 
production."  The young folks would tinker with the software and 
hardware until the sun went supernova if not restrained. :-)

If by "finished," you mean "becoming mature," then yes, it's fair to 
think that.  However, be aware that the K2 did not *replace* the K1 any 
more than the K3 *replaced* the K2 or the KX3 *replaced* the K3.  That's 
not how Elecraft seems to do things.  Each of them have unique features 
and capabilities for differing environments and uses.  It's a somewhat 
unique business model unlike the behavior of several other ham radio 
manufacturers who shall remain unnamed.  That goes for a Seattle-based 
software company as well.
>
> Nothing worse than getting something new only for it to be replaced
> by a newer model a few weeks after getting it.

Hmmm ... I can think of a lot more worse things than that, but 
regardless, I'd bet my paycheck, if I still got one, that whatever 
Elecraft is working on for the future will fill a need in the market 
place and won't replace any of the existing Elecraft products.  I have a 
KX1 [#697] that I occasionally use in the field and for tracking down 
weeds that have grown up under the many electric fences around here.  My 
K2 [#4398] is my real field radio.  The K3-line [#642] is my station 
rig.  I've played a bit with the KX3, I doubt I'll get one, it's a cool 
radio, just no real need in my life.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org