[Elecraft] K4 vs. K4D Question

[Logan R Zintsmaster]

Given that the K4 can be upgraded to a K4D in the field, why don’t you start out with the K4, how it goes, and decide to upgrade later. 
Logan, KE7AZ 

Entropy is winning. 

> On Oct 4, 2020, at 2:25 PM, n7tb at comcast.net wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
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