[Elecraft] Prospective K4

[Drew AF2Z]

I've never doubted that Elecraft would produce a great CW rig, if not 
the best!

The only thing I'd be concerned about is the operator interface. Not 
really looking forward to touchscreen controls here, though I suppose 
they are inevitable in modern rigs. And I don't care to have my rig 
dependent on a computer either.

I think modern rigs could benefit by having an optional keyboard 
interface-- no need of an intermediary computer, just a dedicated 
plug-in (or wireless) keyboard that could be used to access all the rig 
controls and menu items. A slash command system like the old Lotus 123 
spreadsheet of the 80's would be highly efficient allowing access to any 
corner of the rig's control space with just a few keystrokes. Also the 
possibility for the operator to macro-tize everything to his heart's 
content...

I wonder if Elecraft will stick with the high portability/low power 
consumption design. Those things aren't really important to me. I 
wouldn't mind a larger rig.

73,
Drew
AF2Z




On 05/05/19 11:42, Dave Sublette wrote:
> My personal opinion is Flex is too much computer.  I hate computers.  My
> operating time has done n nothing but decrease since I bought a computer.
> This is ham RADIO, not ham computer.
> 
> And while I'm at it,  You kids get off my lawn!!
> 
> 73,
> 
> Dave, K4TO
> 
> On Sun, May 5, 2019 at 11:37 AM Joseph Trombino, Jr <w2kj at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
> 
>> Howdy Gang.
>>
>> I’ve built and owned Elecraft gear since 1999.
>>
>> Still have my KX3 and KX2.
>>
>> I bought a Flex 6600M rig and it was the best radio I’ve owned in years.
>>
>> But Flex messed with the firmware to where if you were in full QSK mode
>> and used the internal ATU a loud relay would start clicking when sending CW
>> characters,  messing with the normally quiet QSK changeover from RX to TX.
>>
>> The reason given for this firmware change was that when the ATU was
>> engaged in full QSK mode the receive signals would be 10db down as opposed
>> to zero db loss without the tuner in line.
>>
>> To be honest I never noticed this problem but Flex, in all of their
>> wisdom, made the disruptive change.
>>
>> IMHO this firmware change completely ruined a very FB CW rig.
>>
>> Perhaps the folks at Flex are not as CW-centric as the Elecraft folks.
>>
>> In terms of a K4 I would certainly love to see a beautiful 8” or large
>> front panel display.
>>
>> This is the direction all modern radios are going….just look at the
>> YaeCommWood offerings plus the Sun MB1 rig.
>>
>> While the P3 and PX3 displays are OK, a full 8” or larger hi-res display
>> is breathtaking and extremely useful.
>>
>> So, why not a K4 with a big hi-res screen?
>>
>> I’m ready for it…make it happen!!
>>
>>                          73, Joe W2KJ
>>                          I QRP, therefore I aim
>>
>>
>>
>>> On May 5, 2019, at 11:16 AM, Rose <elecraftcovers at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Bert,
>>>
>>> Then why not just purchase the Flex?
>>>
>>> 73 !
>>>
>>> K0PP
>>>
>>> On Sun, May 5, 2019, 09:11 Bert Craig <wa2si at arrl.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I'm in the comparison stage of planning my next, and likely final, HF
>> rig
>>>> purchase. While researching my options, I came across this comment on
>> the
>>>> Flex reflector. (See link below.) It occurs to me that the next logical
>>>> progression from the K3S might likely be something along the lines of a
>>>> FlexRadio 6600M, but optimized for the discerning CW enthusiast. I'd
>>>> personally love to see a K4 along those lines. Any thoughts or opinions?
>>>>
>>>> https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/flexradios-cw-failings
>>>>
>>>> Vy 73 de Bert
>>>> WA2SI
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