[Elecraft] Elecraft KX4

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Oh my.   It seems that folks keep designing good stuff, circuits, 
software,radios and the like, and for economic reasons end up with 
Chinese manufacturing some of the boards or assemblies.    It doesn't 
take them long to figure out what makes it tick and end up with a clone 
available at 1/2 the price or so.   And they don't care about copy-write 
laws or patients either.   "ok, so sue me".

I'm not naming names, but just look around and find the "Made in China" 
or the likes.

No way would I write any computer code and make it open source. Thus I 
say if you want something different, then learn to write code.  Oh, it 
only takes thousands of hours and many years experience.    And someone 
wants it for FREE!!!!!!

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 7/1/2019 10:54 AM, John Harper wrote:
> I sometimes doubt that Chris M0NKA ever meant for it to be a commercially
> viable rig but, despite what you correctly mentioned, it has become one. I
> think his original intent was to provide a project to experiment with
> coding etc - the platform for that experiment just happened to be a radio.
>
> The firmware is open source, thus all the clones. Chris recently complained
> that he is now expected and often asked to provide support for the Chinese
> clones! That's gotta burn...
>
> A group in Germany is now providing the lion's share of updates.
>
> But, what all this proves, is what's possible in the form factor in terms
> of with.without PC and ease of connectivity from keeping audio in a digital
> format for PC exchange.
>
> If Elecraft made a similarly featured KX4 it would sell like hotcakes and
> would be hitting the sweet spot of how so many people operate today:
> portable, FT8, CW/phone, with and w/o a PC. What an attractive set of
> features for new younger hams and those without the ability to have a
> "proper" antenna.
>
> I am hesitant to experiment too much with my mcHF because support and
> documentation is so lacking. I can't easily recover from an error by
> reading - I'd have to ask in a forum and hope someone both knows the answer
> and isn't too burnt out by being asked other questions, that he'll answer
> me.
>
> If a company with Elecraft's reputation produced such a rig I'd probably be
> moved to write a tributary haiku, or maybe even a limerick.
>
> John AE5X
> https://ae5x.blogspot.com
> ___________________________
>
> I’m with you 100%, John! Hope Elecraft is listening!
>
> Love the mcHF, but there is really NO customer support. If the current
> group of developers aren’t interested in fixing a bug or adding
> something new, you’re told to do it yourself. Not something I’m
> interested in doing, or really able to do. But as is, its still a fun
> and innovative transceiver!
>
> Elecraft could do it right!
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