[Elecraft] My weigh-in, K4

[Ken G Kopp]

Well-said Dave! (:-)

73!

K0PP

On Sun, May 20, 2018, 09:10 David Gilbert <xdavid at cis-broadband.com> wrote:

>
> I can think of a lot of reasons somebody might want to upgrade their
> radio, but purely "to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles"
> falls very low on my list, and growing "tired of looking at the same
> radio" isn't on it at all.   If a new radio offers significantly
> improved utility, great ... otherwise we're sitting at the same table as
> those who buy the newest smart phone every time one comes out simply to
> be able to say they have it.
>
> I say this not as an Elecraft user (although I own a K1, KX2, and
> upgraded K3), but as a consumer who judges a product by it's performance
> to cost ratio.  Upgrades need to provide me with improved utility, not
> simply warm fuzzies that I have the latest.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
> On 5/20/2018 6:22 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote:
> > I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that
> > Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a
> > new competitive desktop radio.  That said, I'm sure they are working
> > on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other
> > manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly.
> >
> > It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive
> > radio.  It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer
> > radios are significantly better (they are not).  It comes down to we
> > who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit
> > with the latest bells and whistles.  The K3(S) for the most part, is
> > technology over a dozen years old.  To wit, I have grown tired of
> > looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a
> > second and newer radio, a K3S.  Ho, hum.
> >
> > At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or
> > one radio for another becomes less attractive.  I have already seen in
> > abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of
> > Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as
> > well. I have not yet, but may soon.  Should Elecraft come out with a
> > K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost
> > advantage and way behind the market.  Of course, we who drink the
> > Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase.
> >
> > To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their
> > vehicles are?  I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years
> > not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in
> > fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer
> > or upgraded options.  How about your cellphone? How many are using one
> > 10 years old?  It's personal preference just like it is for radios.
> >
> > 73,
> > Dan
> >
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