[Elecraft] K4 vs. K4D Question

[n7tb at comcast.net]

I am rather late in the first prepay group and requested a K4.  I was
strongly considering upgrading to the K4D when I got the call that my rig
was about ready to ship.  Now that the pricing is out, I see that it is a
$900 difference.   That gives me a bit of pause, not because it isn't worth
the price, but because I am not sure my style of operating would justify it.

 

I would appreciate it if some of you with more experience in such things
might be able to give me some insights.  Here is my operating information:

 

1.	I am predominantly a CW operator
2.	I do enjoy working DX contests, but as a hunt and pounce guy, just
looking for countries I may have not worked before.  I am not a serious
contester trying for points and awards.  
3.	For non-dx contests, I operate at or near QRP levels to see how well
I am getting out on my antennas.
4.	I am predominantly a rag chewer on CW,  or casual operator for
regular CW QSO's.
5.	I have two antennas, one a Yagi for 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters.
The other is an EFHW  for 30 (with tuner) 40 and 80.

 

I am not sure diversity receive would be all that useful with such different
antennas.  The yagi is useless as a receive antenna on 30, 40, and 80, and
the EFHW can receive and transmit on the higher bands, but does not have
directionality or gain, and the 40 and 80 meter bands are predominantly for
local and US. operations.  

 

I think diversity receive might be useful with QSB conditions if I am
operating on 20 meters and up and letting the EFHW try to help, but that one
advantage would not be worth the difference in price for the K4D, especially
with the band conditions we currently have.  

 

If I am going to check a different band, I usually just change bands and
look at the panadapter to see how active the band is.  Not sure having VFO B
connected to a different antenna, (like working 20 on the Yagi on A and
possibly working 40 on the EFHW on B would gain me much.  I would most
likely just use VFO A, and change bands.

 

I look forward to your thoughts and what opportunities I might be missing by
not getting the K4D.  I would guess there are others in this group that
would be interested in the responses as they make the same decision.

 

Thanks so much, and 73,

 

Terry, N7TB