[Elecraft] Prospective K4

[Wayne Burdick]

> Drew AF2Z <pubx1 at af2z.net> wrote:
> 
> 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.


Touch/mouse would provide a lot of flexibility. The trick would be to use "real" controls for things you do most often, and make sparing use of touch for basic operation. Of course touch has some cool aspects  like tap/drag, pinch/spread, etc., that can be applied to new features such as an advanced panadapter. 


> 
> 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.

Definitely.



> 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.

We're dedicated to providing gear that won't break your back, runs efficiently, and can be used for portable applications when needed (Field Day, DXpeditions, emcomm, RV, etc.). A new radio would have be somewhat bigger to accommodate a large display, but it would not have to be twice as large, weigh 2 to 3 times as much, or consume 3 to 4 times as much power as a K3S. All of the K3S's newer competitors have one or more of these non-portable characteristics, and some have all three.

73,
Wayne
N6KR