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

Sun Apr 13 01:52:47 EDT 2014

Obviously a lot of thought has been put into evolving the Elecraft 
lineup. I have everything up to but not including the K3. The K1 is my 
favorite for some reason. I like how it sounds on CW. I like the 
relative simplicity and size. The KX1 is a very different radio and very 
specialized for a smaller niche. I never liked how it tunes, having to 
continually twist and poke the tiny tuning knob which feels a little 
wobbly while you're doing all that. I liked the K2 so much I bought two 
of them. hi. The KX3 doesn't attract me much because if I'm having fun 
camping or hiking, a radio is kind of a distraction to me. The K1 more 
than fills the need for a portable radio for the few times I pack it. 
The KX3 is obviously a very popular choice for many others. But a K3/10 
is in my near future for the home shack. Definitely something in their 
line up for every interest.

Elecraft rigs are the only commercial rigs I have anymore, and when I 
drop into HRO and spin the dial on the other offerings, I can't even 
pretend interest. They all feel gaudy and gimmicky. All show and no go 
as we used to say about custom cars.

Eric
KE6US

On 4/12/2014 10:04 PM, Robin Bayer wrote:
> 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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