[Elecraft] K4 Remote

[VE6WZ Steve]

I eagerly await the K4. (I have pre-ordered.)

The VE6WZ station is a 100% remote station. My remote QTH is a purpose built station with a low-band focus.

I have some questions, and perhaps comments about what the remote functionality of the K4 will look like.

Currently at my remote is the K3 twin setup (rcc-1258 remoterig boxes) and the Flex 6600. I can switch between either radio.
My radio of choice for weak signal CW  remains the K3, because of the superior RX.  However, the Flex is my preferred radio when traveling away from the home QTH because  of the interface to the laptop.  Using the Flex SmartSDR software on the laptop and the Flex control knob (like the Kpod) it is exactly the same as sitting at home. The K3 on the other hand requires the remoterig rcc-micro dongle and clumsy third party radio interface software, and will not allow dual channel diversity rx.

So...my questions/comments:

I will never actually see the K4. For all it’s beauty, it will be sitting at my remote shack all by itself never to be touched. Control will be entirely dependant on the “yet to be seen” PC control software. This software is crucial to my operating.

1.) Will the K4 return the CW sidetone back from the remote to the control station PC?  Believe it or not, Flex has not corrected this deficiency in their radios even though users have been complaining about it for 5 years!
This is important to many remote operators who, like myself CW key the radio ***at the remote PC*** which is sitting beside the radio at the remote. (This eliminates any chance of corrupted CW from packet loss...which DOES happen)  Even if the radio is keyed at the control PC with N1MM, we still need the sidetone returned. All this is done perfectly with the remoterig K3 twin set-up, so I’m assuming this will be done, but after the Flex experience I had to ask.

2.)Apart from the possibility of a K4/0 (front-panel), is there a possibility of a K4 with a detachable front panel, or a K4/0 and a “K4 radio-only” (no front panel) option?
This is not a deal breaker for me since I use PC only control exclusively with the Flex and it is great. Using the Flex control knob I have complete radio control and all CW is sent via the keyboard. I did own the Maestro, but never used it so sold it after a few months.

3.) I hope some functionality will be available to adjust the internet bandwidth for those with limited connection speed.

4.) will the K-pod be available for use with the PC at the control station?

5.) the Flex can integrate DX spots from my logging program directly onto the waterfall on the PC and they are available for “point and shoot” radio control.  Is such a feature possible with the K4 architecture?

6.) As explained above, the remote software functionality is crucial for my operating, and committing to a radio purchase prior to viewing is not possible. Is there an eta for when the remote control software will be released for preview, or at least is it planned to be available before radios begin to ship?

I was at Dayton and did speak to both Eric and Wayne, but I forgot some of these questions...and the crowds were thick!

de Steve Ve6wz 




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