[Elecraft] New product request

[Phil Hystad]

I think Don was spot on with his answer.  I think the KX3 is very affordable and if I were looking for just an RX SDR I would give serious consideration to the KX3 -- No, I take that back, I would probably buy only a KX3 and the reason is that the last thing I want to haul around with my receiver is some computer just to listen to the radio.  My K3 is the stay at home radio, the KX3 is highly portable and goes on trips with me (but, the computer stays home -- OK, sometimes I do take my Macbook Pro along with me but not to use with the radio).

The KX3 is a great portable rig, it does not need a computer to fashion its U/I with front panel simulations and functions.

I agree that there is a market for the SDR that uses a computer for its primary interface but I hope that Elecraft doesn't waste their time in that arena since the KX3 is a great radio and any other SDR (RX only or whatever) that needs a computer is a giant step backwards.

So, I vote for Elecraft NOT to produce any radio that requires a computer to operate (other than the firmware utility programs).

73, phil, K7PEH


On Feb 25, 2014, at 1:34 PM, Jack Brabham <kz5a at nctv.com> wrote:

> Don,
> 
> Go out on the net and research the words "affordable" and "SDR" and you can then probably answer your own question.
> 
> But to save you some time;
> 
> A SDR RX does not include a transmitter.
> 
> A SDR RX does not need a front panel or any physical controls, just a USB or Ethernet port, an antenna connector, and maybe a power connector.
> 
> The better ones like the mentioned $250 Afedri are not limited to 192kc bandwidth.  Then there is the $200 Fun Cube Pro that covers 160M to 1296.
> 
> The KX3, which is a super fine portable transceiver, would be a waste of money for someone basically looking for a SDR RX
> 
> 73 Jack KZ5A
> K3 #4165
> 
> 
> On 2/25/2014 6:32 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Why does the KX3 not meet that request?
>> It is a direct to baseband SDR transceiver.
>> Yes, it contains its own "computer" in the box, but that does not make it any less of an SDR receiver.
>> If you are looking for a panadapter display, connect a soundcard to the RX I/Q output and you will have it.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>> 
>> On 2/25/2014 1:18 AM, Thomas Taylor wrote:
>>> On Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:02:58 -0600
>>> Jack Brabham <kz5a at nctv.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> An affordable direct sampling SDR RX from Elecraft would be well
>>>> received, at least in this QTH.  I'm thinking of something along the
>>>> lines of the Afedri SDR but with front end filters and better dynamic range.
>>>> 
>>>> 73 Jack KZ5A
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>>> +1
>>> 
>>> Tom  kg7cfc
>>> 
>> 
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> 
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