[Elecraft] didn't make myself very clear :(

[Darrell Bellerive VE7IU]

No, it is not perfect. There was a time when I would have loved to spend 
my time playing with each and every parameter to get things just as I 
want them. To tweak the settings to pull out that weak station in the 
midst of the giants. But not anymore. I have found I like simplicity!

Don't get me wrong, I think the K3S is most likely the best preforming, 
most configurable, and best supported radio ever made. But I would love 
to have this level of performance in a boat anchor form factor. No 
menus. One function per control, no pushbuttons - only toggle or rotary 
switches, a single knob for each control, no concentric knobs, no turn 
around and around forever controls (they need stops), etc. Where the 
operating manual can be summarized on a single page and reference every 
function of the radio.

And if radios are so smart now, why don't they configure themselves 
dynamically? Tune in a station plagued by QRM, the radio automatically 
adjusts bandwidth, notch, AGC, etc to give the clearest possible signal. 
If there is noise, the radio detects the noise and automatically 
switches in a noise blanker and/or noise reduction and optimizes it for 
the type of noise and the signal received.

And how about self-healing and field serviceable? The radio detects a 
hardware fault and seamlessly switches to a backup component. The radio 
then sends a message about the fault to the service centre and a 
technician is dispatched to service your radio, in your shack, at your 
convenience.

Now that is closer to perfect. :-) Eric and Wayne, care to take on these 
objectives for the K4?

In the meantime we will just have to make do...

73, Darrell VE7IU



On 15-11-20 04:05 AM, Bill wrote:
> The K3 is the perfect rig for everyone. Why do I say everyone? Simple, 
> there are so many menu choices/settings that can be made - that the 
> rig becomes customized to each individual. In other words, the K3 
> offers so much user versatility that it amounts to thousands of 
> individual K3 rigs that are all different. I doubt if there are too 
> many out there that are identical.
>
> The K3 is a tinkering ham's dream. So many changes can be made - none 
> with a soldering iron or tuning wand in hand.
>
> Saving settings to computer files is a great idea, however, I have 
> found nothing that beats keeping good notes. That way you will not 
> reinvent the wheel some day down the road. Good notes will also rescue 
> you from the fire of "something went wrong."
>
> Bill W2BLC K3-Line
>
> -- 
> Darrell Bellerive
> VE7IU