[Elecraft] Modularity

[Doug Turnbull]

Dear OMs and YLs,
     For me the K3 epitomizes modularity.   One can build the radio up over
time and purchase only those features required.   This keeps entry level
prices down and enhances repair.   From Ireland, one could return a faulty
module perhaps holding on to the K3/S and continuing to operate.    I hope
Elecraft continues this approach.   Yes and keep the power supply separate.

     I find the P3 is pretty good especially with an external monitor.
Maybe the next display will be more like what Flex offers but for me
Elecraft beats Flex in most regards.   Oh, thanks Elecraft for the K-pod.


                73 Doug EI2CN

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Allan Zadiraka
Sent: 17 April 2019 19:30
To: Vic Rosenthal
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Modularity

I agree with Victor's comments.  I am all in favor of the elimination of
the all-in-one, big box rigs.  No vendor in the amateur radio market can be
the premiere supplier in all areas even though Elecraft is trying hard. I
don't consider them the best panadapter HMI vendor or best paddle
manufacturer.  What I would consider ideal is a rig, computer, and other
"boxes" which sit behind or below the operating desk (or at a remote
site).  On the desk, a keyboard, mouse and/or trackball, an advanced KPod
with a few more knobs and customizable LCD keys for the major rig control
and antenna  functions and monitor(s) for the waterfall, frequency
readouts, SWR/POWER indicators, RF waveform display and logging displays.

An enclosure to corral all the miscellaneous "boxes" and their wiring would
also be nice.


zeke, ab8oou





On Wed, Apr 17, 2019 at 1:13 AM Vic Rosenthal <k2vco.vic at gmail.com> wrote:

> All this talk about onboard computers (or not) and operating systems in
> the K4 has me thinking.
> My K3 is serial no. 0007. I have had it since the beginning, and with a
> few simple upgrades, it is almost as capable as a new K3S. But the
> computers I had back then are long gone.
> What I would like to have in the K4 is a backplane architecture. The
> entire radio except for a control head would be located on plugin boards
> that could be swapped out easily for testing, customizing, or upgrading.
> The ENTIRE radio. The K3 goes in this direction, but not far enough.
> One of the options would be an onboard computer. You could use the rig
> without it or with an external computer if you wish. Maybe it would come
> with some version of Linux, but you could put another version of Linux or
> Windows on it if you wanted. You could upgrade it easily when it became
> obsolete.
> Yes, this would cost more. But with the savings available from modern
> automated surface mount construction, maybe it's possible.
>
> Victor 4X6GP
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