[Elecraft] Is there a K4 on the horizon?

[Doug Person via Elecraft]

I think any new Elecraft radio is going to be cutting-edge DSP. Consider 
how good the KX3 is.  Its DSP hardware is chosen for its low power 
requirements - not for maximum performance.  So imagine a radio designed 
with the very best DSP technology with power requirements being a much 
lower priority.  The K3 is unquestionably outstanding.  But if Wayne 
were to start with a fresh, leading edge design, there is no doubt that 
it would be DSP-based.

73, Doug -- K0DXV

On 4/1/2015 12:10 PM, Jeff Kinzli wrote:
> Seems to me that one viable possibility would be for Elecraft to build
> a new box - one that encapsulates the existing K3, but has a new front
> panel that's larger, with more knobs allowing each knob to have a
> singular function. For those that use the K3 as their main home radio
> - this would allow you to have larger knobs, spaced further out, and
> have that big radio feel - while those of us that travel constantly
> with our K3's can continue with the smaller footprint, which for me
> works great even though I have huge hands.
>
> Doing so would require re-engineering front panel, but probably not
> much more than that? Since the front panel is just ribbon-cabled to
> the rest of the radio. Seems like a relatively small engineering feat
> for a big bang but maybe its only an incremental change in terms of
> moving the needle and maybe that's not where Elecraft wants to focus.
>
> Good topics for April 1st ;)
>
> 73 de N6GQ
>
> On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 7:32 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:
>> On 2015-04-01 12:39 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
>>> I really don't see why People want a K4 as a whole new radio.
>> There are many who would like to see a larger radio with more
>> individual controls (direct band select, Split, separate control
>> for Dual PB and APF, separate control for Diversity and Link,
>> etc.) as well as a 48V PA for better transmit IMD.  The added
>> controls and 48V/200w PA are not something that is likely in
>> the current K3 form factor.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>     ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>> On 2015-04-01 12:39 AM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
>>> I really don't see why People want a K4 as a whole new radio.
>>> A huge selling point for me was the modular and up-gradable approach of
>>> the K3 (and the K-Line as a whole)
>>> You can go every where from the Base radio (as a great radio all by
>>> itself) up to the full blown K-Line fully loaded.
>>>
>>> I also had radios from "The Other Guys" and having to buy a whole new
>>> radio to get new features really is a waste of money.
>>>
>>> As the Elecraft product line increases it allows me to add in new gear
>>> that integrates well in both function and appearance
>>> to my existing equipment so I don't wind up with the mishmash of shapes
>>> and sises so common with "the other guys"
>>>
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