[Elecraft] K4?

[Don Wilhelm]

Bob and all,

Based on that thinking, it may be that Elecraft could produce an SMD 
version of the K2 in that price class - call it the "K2S".
Yes, it would not be a full kit like the current K2, but would solve a 
lot of problems that are encountered with the disappearing of Thru-hole 
components from the marketplace.

The current K2 design even though 20 years old still has a competitive 
receiver (see the Sherwood RX listing), and many hams appreciate the 
fully analog design - which could be ported to SMD with board layout 
design but not the basic analog circuitry.  Using black paint would 
differentiate it from the current gray K2.

A K2S with a built-in KSB2, KNB2, KAF2, K60XV and K160RX plus KIO2 and 
KAT2, but with an added IF output for connection for the P3 (or other IF 
based panadapter devices like LP-Pan) to the might be a seller in the 
low price marketplace and could be offered as a QRP transceiver.  The 
existing KPA100 and KAT100 could work with it, and could still be 
offered as amplifier and ATU thru-hole solder your own kits.

Of course, the counter to that argument is that the KX3 already provides 
that same capability for a price in the range that you mentioned and a 
lot more function.  The only "gotcha" is that it is only 15 watts, but 
the KXPA100 and KXAT100 adds 100 watt and ATU capability while retaining 
the portability.

This is pure speculation on my part (prompted by Bob's post), I do not 
know of any plans to do the things I have mentioned.  Elecraft seems to 
remain committed to providing a full "solder your own" kit for those who 
want to actually solder the parts in place, and my suggestion of a "K2S" 
would run counter to that commitment, although the KPA100 amplifier and 
KAT100 ATU could remain "build your own".

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/25/2019 10:44 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
> With all of the wonderful ideas and features advanced for a K4, I find 
> one thing which has been seemingly omitted.    PRICE!    Yep, hams want 
> radios with all the features whistle band bells along with alleged 
> performance.............. in the $1000 price range. Look at the volume 
> of sales of radios in this price range.   A large majority of hams today 
> do not have $3500 to $6500 to invest in a radio.   Yes I know the 
> technology, engineering investment and cost to produce is a major 
> component of price.  But still, hams want inexpensive radios.   It may 
> not be feasible to produce a product in the $1000 price range, but ICOM, 
> Kenwood and Yaesu seem to think so.
> 
> ICOM IC-7300 = $979;  Yaesu FT 991A = $1100;  Kenwood TS-590SG = $1200; 
> Yaesu FT-DX3000 = $ 1300;  Kenwood TS-480HX = $1000
> 
> Yes I know these are not in the performance league of the current K3S, 
> but these are what is on the air, in mass, today.
>