[Elecraft] 4K Ultra High Def version of Elecraft K4 Q&A Video Posted by NG7M

[Barry Baines]

Jeff:

> On May 30, 2019, at 1:46 AM, Jeff Scaparra <jeff at scaparra.com> wrote:
> 
> Absolutely and I am very excited to see a top manufacturer giving what
> looks like will be first class support for Linux. What I was most excited
> to see though was that the radio looked like it might be running a
> mainstream Linux distro. My personal opinion is that giving the consumer
> the option to have access to that would really open up the possibilities
> with this radio (and help many to justify the cost). If my radio can run
> all the software I need for all my communications, logging, etc... I don't
> have to worry how I have emergency power for the radio AND a laptop or
> computer for field day or actual emergencies. I can only have a plan for
> 12V emergency power (battery, solar, ...) and I don't need an inverter or
> generator or worry about boost/buck converters for my other non 12v
> equipment. My only real fear is that before the release Elecraft would lock
> that down so that the consumer doesn't have a way to at a minimum unlock
> the underlying OS to use in this way. I fully understand that some won't
> want to deal with the underlying OS but I also think there are many that
> would. External monitors that run off 12 v are also easy found due to the
> car market (
> https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Computer-Display-Security-Speaker/dp/B0779PM23K/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=12v+hdmi+monitor&qid=1559195100&s=gateway&sr=8-8 <https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-Computer-Display-Security-Speaker/dp/B0779PM23K/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=12v+hdmi+monitor&qid=1559195100&s=gateway&sr=8-8>

I took a look at the link you provided and discovered that the monitor has a max resolution of 1024 x 600.  This is a relatively low resolution in today’s display environment compared to a current generation 12” laptops (such as the  Dell Latitude) which has a default resolution of 1920 x 1080.   Given the size of the monitor screen (10.5”) I also presume that there wouldn’t be much ‘effective coverage’ for displaying whatever software may be running. 

FWIW, I run a Dell Latitude laptop in my vehicle for a variety of data decoding purposes (primarily railroad signal data, EOT/HOT and distributed power unit transmissions) that decodes packets transmitted in the VHF and UHF bands using a variety of analog and SDR receivers.  Being able to quickly scan a screen and not have to scroll the screen makes a huge difference in usability and safety.  Whether there are 10-12” mobile monitors that can handle 1920 x 1080 is not something that I’ve looked for.  Presumably this criteria would be something that would be needed in the instance you’re outlining.

I would also suspect that whatever version of Linux may be in the K4, the real constraint would be how the effective capacity of the built-in system to manage the K4 to also handle non-K4 activities.  I can tell you that the FlexRadio Systems Maestro has a built-in tablet display (apparently running a version of Windows) that has no provision for the user to run non-Flex software.  If FRS were to add this capability, it would likely increase the cost of the product to provide a more robust tablet that could handle the appropriate data storage and presumably split-screen requirements.  It would also introduce other potential issues in terms of security and the potential virus infection.  Given that FRS controls ‘firmware updates’ for Maestro, their approach presumably reduces the prospects for nefarious intrusion.  

Also keep in mind that adding capabilities such as handling data streams for various comm programs may also increase the internet bandwidth requirements when operating remotely.  I don’t know what the ‘minimum’ bandwith will be to operate a K4 remote system.  The K3  & K3/IO-Mini system using Remote Rig has very low requirements given that there is no panadapter/waterfall display and only audio and control are exchanged between the two units with the audio codecs configurable to take into account internet upload limitations.    Given that remote operation may entail low-speed internet (e.g. as noted during the Remote Operating Forum given Friday morning of the just concluded Hamvention, “Locations with excellent internet service have poor RF conditions and locations with excellent RF conditions have poor internet service”), the ability to manage internet bandwidth in order to provide a reliable connection to operate is an important consideration.  FRS has significantly improved their SmartLink system to work more effectively at slower upload speeds though it still requires more bandwidth than the K3 system (for obvious reasons-FRS has built-in Panadapter/Waterfall display).

FWIW,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW
(Currently in Boston MA where I remotely operate my ham station in rural SE Georgia using both Elecraft and Flex systems)





> ).
> 
> Jeff N5SDR.
>