[Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a

Sat Apr 12 20:52:32 EDT 2014

Yes, technology does advance. In addition to 
"Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user 
updated.  The user display for example." -- Maybe 
there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. 
That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at 
least my rigs!) :-)

Phil W7OX

On 4/12/14, 4:15 PM, Doug Person wrote:
> I would rather continue to speculate on a K4.  
> The K2 is wonderful the way it is.  Last I heard 
> Elecraft had a huge stockpile of parts for the 
> K2.  So I would expect it to be around a few 
> more years. What more could you ask for in a 
> portable rig than the KX3 has to offer?
>
> /If/ there is ever going to be a K4, I would 
> imagine it would go to the top of the market. A 
> 4" to 5" full color TFT display with waterfall 
> and full digital information.  Built-in PSK, 
> RTTY, CW and provisions for just about any 
> future technology - including digital voice.  
> Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user 
> updated.  The user display for example. Built-in 
> remote operation capability standard.  Built-in 
> WiFi, Ethernet and Bluetooth.
>
> Considering how far technology has progressed 
> since the K2 was designed, the possibilities are 
> mind-boggling.
>
> Personally, I would love to see a K0.  A very 
> small, single-band plug-able, digital-capable, 
> lithium-polymer powered, micro-transceiver I can 
> put in my coat pocket.
>
> Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
>
> Doug -- K0DXV
>
> On 4/11/2014 11:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote:
>> Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 
>> speculation I wanted to offer
>> speculation in a different direction.
>>
>>
>> The K2 was originally offered as a true kit 
>> that, upon completion, provided
>> a radio capable of both home use and trail use.
>>
>>
>> The trail/remote and home use capabilities have 
>> been supplanted by the other
>> radios in the Elecraft stable.
>>
>>
>> The only really unique feature of the K2 is 
>> that it is a true kit; that
>> said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus 
>> it is a major PITB to
>> "align".
>>
>>
>> I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 
>> (well, not exactly):
>>
>>
>>
>> 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible.  So 
>> maybe RF and AF sections could be
>> kits (at least partially).
>>
>>
>> 02) Fully assembled as an option.
>>
>>
>> 03) Make the "middle" a high performance SDR; 
>> factory assembled and aligned.
>>
>>
>> 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with 
>> the DSP doing the remaining
>> filtering functions.
>>
>>
>> 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt 
>> conversion to power a "high voltage"
>> RF section.
>>
>>
>> 06) 100 watts output.
>>
>>
>> 07) No FM but add 6 meters.
>>
>>
>> 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode.  Pick one 
>> of the Open Source
>> implementations.  Make it an "App"; Elecraft 
>> would maintain the latest
>> source code and latest "compiled" App; anyone 
>> who wished could modify and
>> install their own version; might be an area 
>> where Amateurs could contribute
>> something meaningful.
>>
>>
>> 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but 
>> not necessarily (in Japanese
>> radio jargon) "Competition Grade".
>>
>>
>> 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no 
>> splatter, no clicks, no noise.
>>
>>
>> 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style 
>> of the best looking piece of
>> Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4.
>>
>>
>> 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat 
>> handle" toggle switches.
>>
>>
>> 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, 
>> easy access, tie those to the
>> big knobs and toggle switches.
>>
>>
>> 14) Note the switches and controls would only 
>> tell a DSP or MCU to take some
>> action.  I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang 
>> rotary switches.
>>
>>
>> 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the 
>> front panel controls and
>> switches to the main unit (with quick 
>> disconnect to allow easy removal).
>>
>>
>> 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display 
>> (like my Garmin GPS) in the
>> middle of the front panel with a nice size, 
>> high inertia tuning knob for
>> freq control.
>>
>>
>> 17) Put the ancillary functions on the 
>> (multi-page) touch screen.
>>
>>
>> 18) The touch screen pages should be tab 
>> accessible; with user definable
>> pages.
>>
>>
>> 19) Embed this all inside the "75A4 Cabinet": 
>> nice size box, mostly air
>> inside but with room to add additional features 
>> (maybe even a decent
>> speaker).
>>
>>
>> 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, 
>> mountaintop, contest box; just a
>> desktop system that you could turn on with a 
>> (toggle) switch, select your
>> band with a rotary switch, select your mode 
>> with a rotary switch, touch the
>> tab on the touch screen to verify your 
>> audio/keyer/data settings then kick
>> back and operate.  Toggle switches for AGC 
>> On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise
>> Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary 
>> controls for receive bandpass
>> width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to 
>> set/adjust the characteristics
>> of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, 
>> etc. Switched LCD meter to
>> provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen:
>>
>>
>> 1) No one would want one.
>>
>> 2) It would be too big.
>>
>> 3) It wouldn't be big enough.
>>
>> 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial 
>> resources to develop such a device.
>>
>> 5) Purchase price would be too high.
>>
>> 6) Besides it would take engineering talent 
>> away from the development of the
>> K4, the 1500 watt solid state amp, the VHF to 
>> near-infrared transceiver, the
>> Elecraft EPad, etc.
>>
>>
>>
>> But, it would be a really neat rig: very 
>> "Retro" look with a high tech
>> heart.
>>
>>
>> Mike     W5FTD
>>
>>
>>
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>
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