[Elecraft] Would anyone like to see an all-mode VHF/UHF offering from Elecraft?
Bayard Coolidge, N1HO
n1ho at yahoo.com
Fri Jan 31 09:56:23 EST 2014
What you're suggesting is, basically, a replacement for the venerable
Yaesu FT-736R, which I bought new so many years ago. I used it for
several years from a hilltop QTH in New Hampshire, making CW and
SSB contacts on all bands up through 1296, except 902. I still have that
rig, as well as my "brick" amplifiers and antennas for those bands.
I'd love to see Elecraft make a replacement for that rig, with the superior
receiver characteristics and other features that Elecraft is famous for. It
would be intriguing to see if a modular design could be developed, with
per-band plug-in modules. Not everyone will want 222 or 902MHz immediately, but
it would be nice to be able to add those bands if desired, for example. The
ability to run cross-band and to key separate external amplifiers on a per-band
basis (and/or external preamps) would fit my requirements nicely, as would
monitoring an altogether different band on an optional subreceiver (c.f. KRX3).
I have an external 10MHz signal source driving my K3EXREF, and I would hope
that this could be used to lock the various LOs in this envisioned rig, as is
currently the case with the K144RFLCK.
I think such an offering would help revive activity in the VHF/UHF bands, not
only for Technician class licensees, but for Generals and Extra Class,
and demonstrate that we continue to need and use our allocated spectrum there,
not just for "Funny Mode", but for serious weak-signal work as well.
Thanks for raising the question, Jim !
73 de Brandy, N1HO
Lighthouse Point, FL (and Hendersonville, NC during hurricane season)
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