[Elecraft] Latest rumors on K4

[Scott Manthe]

A good reason for Elecraft NOT release a manual before the radio is 
available is that there are competing companies that would love to have 
a copy of the K4 manual before the radio is available. That would allow 
those competitors to add features or performance enhancements to their 
own radios before the K4's release.  Amateur radios are largely created 
in software these days, so what once would have required a redesign of 
hardware, now requires a rewrite of software. So releasing a manual 
before the radio is available would be a gift to Elecraft's competition. 
Maybe I'm paranoid, but maybe not and if Elecraft were my company, I'd 
keep things under wraps.

73,
Scott N9AA



On 12/21/19 12:26 PM, stephen shearer wrote:
> OK, January is fine as it's only 10+ days away...  AND yes, Jan 31st 
> is only 5+ weeks.
> (Joe, I bet as a kid you had no problem waiting for your gifts at 
> Christmas or other big holidays...)
> what I am waiting for is the manual.  It will/should answer many of my 
> questions.
> Maybe before the K4 is shipped?
>
> Like, with a LAN connection on the K4 and an internal PC (of some 
> sort) will I be able to download updates direct to the K4?
> or, will I need a separate PC and use the USB port on K4 to do the 
> admin "stuff" ?
> There are plenty of single board computers that would fit the need, if 
> required.
> I expect to use a SBC for FT8 and JS8, as it works nice now on my KX3 
> w/amp (as needed).
>
> 73, steve WB3LGC  (waiting for my Christmas and my birthday "gift" = 
> K4...   wife approved)
>