[Elecraft] Future K-radio?

Joe Subich, W4TV lists at subich.com
Fri Aug 23 23:21:27 EDT 2013 

> The problem with separate transverters, besides having multiple
> boxes, is the cost. Some of that cost could be eliminated by placing
> the common control circuitry in the back-plane box, instead of the
> duplication with separate transverters.

Studying the schematics shows very little, if any, duplicated (common)
control circuitry.  I certainly doubt there is enough to be saved in
repackaging the existing transverters to offset the cost of a new
housing/backplane.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 8/23/2013 9:07 PM, Gary K9GS wrote:
> Hi Joe,
>
> Well, I never said anything about a K3/10 with slots for VHF/UHF modules.
>
> What I was envisioning is a box...no display/front panel/speaker.  A
> blank box.  Just something to install modules into.  It would be
> CONTROLLED by the K3..saving on cost.
>
> Yes, the demand might be low if the modules were just for weak signal
> VHF/UHF ops.  But add in FM, digital modes, satellite ops and the market
> expands.
>
> Small market is also why I mentioned an open source architecture.
> Elecraft would provide the box with standardized slots (think like a
> PC-ie slot in a computer) and others could provide the module. Elecraft
> could still offer the high volume modules,say for 2M, 432, etc.  But if
> you wanted a 9cm band module maybe an enterprising microwave op or a
> company like Down East Microwave could offer one that matched the
> Elecraft slot and control architecture.
>
> The problem with separate transverters, besides having multiple boxes,
> is the cost.  Some of that cost could be eliminated by placing the
> common control circuitry in the back-plane box, instead of the
> duplication with separate transverters.  Right now, if I wanted to buy
> transverters for 2M, 220 and 432 we're talking $1200. If I could get a
> box that I could install three modules into for $800 or $1200 to add
> 1296 MHz or a full duplex satellite module, it starts to get
> attractive.  Especially compared to what ICOM or others is offering.
>
>
>
> On 8/23/2013 5:53 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>>
>> The problem here is cost/development time vs. potential demand. Quite
>> frankly the market for a K3/10 with slots for VHF/UHF modules is likely
>> to be too small to justify the development time.  That's one reason the
>> "open backplane" provided by the daisy chain design of the XV series.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>    ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>> On 8/23/2013 5:39 PM, Gary K9GS wrote:
>>> I think something like a back-plane box where you can install various
>>> "band modules" for whatever VHF/UHF/Microwave modules you want. For
>>> really esoteric bands like laser communications make it open source so
>>> others could design modules that Elecraft wouldn't be interested in
>>> because the volume is too low.  You could even have a Lowfer module.
>>>
>>> Some of the modules could accommodate either an optional internal
>>> amplifier (like 100W+ for 2M) or be able to drive an external
>>> amplifier.  Outputs could be provided for relay control of an external
>>> amp, sequencer, mast mounted preamp, etc.  Maybe make the back-plane
>>> boxes "daisy-chain-able" in case you really want to go nuts. Power the
>>> back-plane box from an external 12V DC supply so it could be used by
>>> rovers.
>>>
>>> The back-plane box could be controlled by a K3, KX3, K3-0, remotely
>>> through Rig-Remote, etc.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 8/23/2013 4:16 PM, ~BG~ wrote:
>>>> Personally I'd like something more portable than a K3/10 with a pile of
>>>> transverters though.  More like a KX3 but strictly an all-mode VHF/UHF
>>>> rig,
>>>> no HF.  6m, 2m, 70cm, 1.2 GHz, and perhaps 2.4 GHz in the box, perhaps
>>>> with
>>>> 4m, 1.25cm, and 900 MHz as options.  I'd be on the fence about general
>>>> coverage reception (my R20 already covers that sort of).  1-2 BNC
>>>> connections on the side along with an SMA, so you can run at least two
>>>> antennas (e.g. rubber ducky + a hand-held yagi, or backpack mounted
>>>> vertical + a UHF bullet).  Perhaps being able to optionally bypass the
>>>> internal DSP for processing and use laptop to do all your processing
>>>> (somewhat like a USRP, but more portable, granted this would start
>>>> putting
>>>> the radio in to Flex territory), or plug in a USB cam and do some
>>>> simple
>>>> ATV broadcasts (although the radio would need a fair amount of
>>>> memory and
>>>> processing power for this).
>>>>
>>>> Once you get smaller than the IC-703/7000 form-factor you're pretty
>>>> much
>>>> stuck in the realm of FM only, and that kind of blows. Granted it seems
>>>> like a pretty small niche, but I kind of wonder if there's a chunk of
>>>> potential users out there who are apartment dwellers and are turned
>>>> off by
>>>> the logistics of running a home HF base station.  Plus to me,
>>>> Elecraft at
>>>> it's heart is more about small, portable radios...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ./ben
>>>> W6MCM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 12:02 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV<lists at subich.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>   I bought a K3 kit. I love it for HF work, but I'd also like to
>>>>> see an
>>>>>> integrated desktop replacement for the FT-736R to cover 6m (or 2m)
>>>>>> through 23cm (or perhaps 13cm?).
>>>>>>
>>>>> Does not the K3 with XV-144, XV-220 and VX-432 already answer that
>>>>> need through 70 cm?  If so, would not the answer seem to be in added
>>>>> transverters for 900 MHZ, 1.2 GHz and 2.3 GHz?   It seems that the K3
>>>>> can already address up to 9 transverters/transverter bands ... even
>>>>> if it were necessary to use more than one "band" to cover the needed
>>>>> spectrum, I would think a K3/10 with six transverters would more than
>>>>> sufficient as a 1.8 MHz to 2.4 GHz platform.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>>
>>>>>     ... Joe, W4TV
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 8/23/2013 1:30 PM, Bayard Coolidge, N1HO wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Lew Phelps, N6LEW, mentioned the FT-736R.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have one, and used it for many years when I was living on top of a
>>>>>> decent hill in New Hampshire.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I briefly flirted with the idea of buying an IC-9100 to replace my
>>>>>> IC-746Pro AND the FT-736R, but after reading many review articles, as
>>>>>> well as the discussions on this list, I bought a K3 kit. I love it
>>>>>> for HF work, but I'd also like to see an integrated desktop
>>>>>> replacement for the FT-736R to cover 6m (or 2m) through 23cm (or
>>>>>> perhaps 13cm?). The FT-736R was touted as a satellite radio, but I'm
>>>>>> not personally interested in the more esoteric satellite features
>>>>>> (such as reverse VFO tracking), as I preferred to do weak-signal
>>>>>> work, with some cross-mode and FM operating. I still have the "brick"
>>>>>> amplifiers for 2, 222 and 432 MHz that I used with the FT-736R, and
>>>>>> they're still currently available, so I'm thinking that the
>>>>>> envisioned Elecraft product only needs to put out 5-10W, but should
>>>>>> have separate per-band relay keying lines.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Just my 20 millidollars' worth of daydreaming...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Brandy, N1HO
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