[Elecraft] My weigh-in, K4

[Niel Skousen]

Well with all the ‘issues’’ that are being bantered about, anyone who has an old dusty unloved K3 hanging around is welcome  to drop me a note and I’ll help resolve that problem ...   8-)

Niel

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 20, 2018, at 09:09, 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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