[Elecraft] Features wanted

Thu Aug 6 17:40:53 EDT 2015

I have a beautiful thirty inch wide Sonora 5 1920's eara tube batery
receiver model C-10642 in perfect cosmetic shape with three large
bakelite knobs, and two small bakelite knobs, but I can only look at
it.

I also have a brand new Yaesu FTdx1200 that is 14 inches wide and
can't hold a candle to my K3 SN 1025.  It's big and it's pretty, but
that's all it has that the K3 doesn't have.

I'd rather have a better ugly rig that has superior performance than a
a pretty one that doesn't.  I'll stick with the K3 I have, and the K3S
I have ordered.

That's just my opinion.  I could be wrong.

On Thu, 6 Aug 2015 12:50:23 -0600, you wrote:

>In an earlier comment Wayne said that Elecraft takes comments made on this
>reflector into consideration for future improvement.  I have two K3's and
>don't really have any negative comments but I do have some things that I
>would like to see improved -- or perhaps a better word would be "different"
>in the next Elecraft radio.  While I recognize that the K3 was designed to
>be compact, light, and efficient for portability, I would like to see a
>version that is designed with style in mind.  I would pay more for better
>"finish".  I used a FT1000D for many years before switching to the K3.
>Performance-wise the K3 is superior...and performance is the primary
>criteria for me in choosing a radio.  However, with respect to "finish", the
>Yaesu radio is superior.  It "looks" and feels more expensive.  Not everyone
>wants or needs a radio that is designed to be portable (and most active hams
>have more than one radio anyway).  I'd like to see K3 performance come in a
>sleeker design...If you spin the tuning knob on the Yaesu, it is smooth and
>coasts along on ball bearings...the feel of the knobs and switches is
>better.  A larger cabinet would allow bandswitch buttons labeled as such and
>a larger cabinet would give more working space on the rear.  (With the
>preamp, KPA500, KAT500, RTTY, external keyer, etc, the back on the K3
>becomes a real kluge.)  A radio designed to be more "fixed station" could
>also have the power supply built in and perhaps even have 150 - 200 watt
>capability.  The P3 could be built in as well.  The display on an IC7800 is
>really nice (in my opinion)...Elecraft could do something of similar
>quality.  
>
>I'm not suggesting that the K3 or K3S be "deleted" from the product line --
>just an alternate packaging solution that would compete more favorably with
>the Japanese look and feel.  I'd gladly pay significantly more for a radio
>with K3 performance and IC7800 look and feel... and based on comments I have
>heard from others, I think that Elecraft would find a market for it.  In
>fact I know some  people who don't own a K3 because of the "look".  For some
>price will always be the primary consideration.  For others, it is
>secondary.  If Elecraft were to come out with a K3S "Deluxe" I would
>probably own "both" radios...keeping the K3 for whatever portable
>opportunity might present itself.  I do miss the "feel" of the FT1000D.
>
>Also I would like to see the APF improved by allowing the peaking filter to
>be "tuned" as it was on the FT1000D.  I almost always used the APF on the
>Yaesu but end up turning it off when I try it on the K3.  I think the "peak"
>is too narrow.
>
>I realize I'm offering a lot of MY opinions here and not everyone will want
>or agree with my suggestions...but it is what it is -- my wish list.  I'm
>hoping that this subject does not start a lot of speculation on "what it
>would cost" because that's not the point.  If Elecraft were to consider a
>new design, they would have to determine the cost and its potential success
>in the market.
>
>Oh....one more thing -- tongue firmly in cheek -- a larger cabinet would
>look good next to that 1500 watt amplifier that Elecraft teased us with at
>Dayton some years ago...
>
>73, Greg-N4CC
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