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

Sun Apr 13 01:04:04 EDT 2014

I am still adding to my K2...but just dreaming...I would like to see a
center detent on the RIT, a kx3 like display, except green, with both A/B
VFOs displayed. A separate digital in/out like the K3, an updated DAC with
finer resolution... And DSP controls like K3/KX3. I know get a KX3...not
yet. Ok I would really dig a P2. Maybe one that also folds up and rests on
top of the radio and when closed acts as a front panel cover. Or maybe one
that slides out from under the radio, has touch screen keyboard, digital
decode, and pan adapter. or folds out 4 ways like an SLR screen.

I still use my loaded K1 often, but always wanted a 20 turn VFO with a
lock. I can't believe someone hasn't made  And 80 or 40 thru 12m on one
band board.

KX1...like as is it but sometimes miss having 17-12m.

Rob

KA5QQA

On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:40 AM, Michael Poteet <mcpoteet at gmail.com> 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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