[Elecraft] K4/0

[Barry Baines]

Mark:

> On Apr 24, 2020, at 10:13 AM, Mark Musick <markmusick at outlook.com> wrote:
> 
> Steve,
> I don't have a link, but if you watch the video from Dayton last year you will see Eric demonstrating the K4 using an Ipad. No need for a K4/0.

True.  But it does come down to operator preference.  Flex’s product line was originally ‘all software’ requiring either a PC or an iPad for Flex supported software or dogparkSDR for those with a Mac supported by Dog Park Software, Ltd (Don Agro).  Flex later came out with Maestro because some operators want knobs such as contesters.  And now they offer Flex transcievers with Maestro as a bulit-in operator interface meaning that the user doesn’t have to be Windows savy, MacOS savy. or have to own an iOS device to use Flex products.  

In my case I’ve found the K3/I0-Mini to control my K3 and Maestro to control my Flex-6700 to be the easiest way to operate remotely.  Both units sit on my desk in Texas while the station is in SE Georgia.  I simply turn them on and they connect with their respective transceivers.  I can use amateur radio headsets without any problems.  Compare that to running SSDR on a PC (or a Mac under Parallels running Windows or DogparkSDR in MacOS) where I have to a) start the computer, b) start the software, and c) connect a headset of some sort that has a USB interface.  And once the software is running it is taking up a significant amount of real estate on the screen making it more difficult to use other software while monitoring the bands.  

In my case, while I have the ability to use every user interface offered by Flex (Windows SSDR, iPad SSDR, ios SSDR plus Maestro) I use Maestro 90% of the time.  On the Elecraft side, the K3/I0-Mini ‘just works’ by turning it on.  I can easily pick a frequency and listen to a net or ragchew, jump in if I want to, and it takes up little space on the desk.  I do have to remotely connect to the ham station in order to get the KAT500 up and running and I run a web browser to operate the KPA-500 (Through the Remote Rig 1216H) and  rotor system (Green Heron interfaced with another RR-1216H), but once up and running I can reduce the screen size without loss of visibility of the  browser.  The major downside of the Elecraft gear is the lack of a panadapter at the operating position in Texas that the Flex has both in software and the Maestro, but of course that will be rectified with a “K4/0”.

On the other hand, with the Flex I can manage/operate the PGXL amplifier from the Maestro.  The major downside of the PGXL is the lack of tuner so I can’t use it on my EFHW for 80/40, etc.  At some point such a tuner will be released. Thus, I do have to use the K3 when transmitting on the EFHW.  (The EFHW doesn’t resonate well enough to avoid using a tuner.)  

Consequently, I fully expect that whenever Elecraft releases a " K4/0” it will be well received by those who need to operate remotely  (e.g. connection through the WAN) because it will be essentially the same as being in front of the ‘real’ K4.  And those that have their amateur equipment installed in a building separate from their residence on their property may find it convenient to operate from a home/office inside that residence rather than going to the ham shack. 


> You'll be able to remote to it via a tablet, PC and I would expect an app to remote via a smartphone.

My comments above are  not to suggest that a Tablet/smartphone interface isn’t useful.  I have SSDR on my iPad and iPhone.  But I use it for short durations of time because I find that over time it is not as user friendly as the Maestro (due to the lack of a tuning knob) and is primarily used when I’m traveling and the only way to connect to the Flex is with what I have with me.  The 8” screen of  Maestro is a built-in tablet with key knobs provided along with audio interfaces necessary for operating.    

The great thing about both the Flex and the upcoming K4 is that both designs allow the operator to utilize whatever user interface is available.  Flex has a multi-year head start on what they’ve developed, but I fully expect Elecraft to catch up relatively quickly given their track record on product development/release as well as taking ‘lessons learned’ from Flex’s experiences in creating and producing these kinds of products.


FWIW,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Keller, TX




> 
> 73,
> Mark, WB9CIF
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of tobestep .
> Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 13:51
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] K4/0
> 
> Hi Wayne:
> Is there any additional information available on the K4/0? Will  it be required for off-site remote operation or will there be some way to interact the with K4 and all controls via software on a remote computer?
> Thanks and 73,
> Steve VE3XO