[Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Vs. Flex 6400

[Kurt Pawlikowski]

Rich, Et Al,

     Thanks for the comments.

     Yes, I'm aware that this might bring up some sort of issues people 
have with the manufactures or personal experience. My own is that when I 
was ordering the radio, I could afford the 6400. But what I was hoping 
for, maybe in vain, is some information about how the rigs perform 
comparatively. I know that either of them are far-and-away better 
receivers than anything else on the amateur market.

     I my situation, I'm up against a lot of noise (live in a condo). 
The Flex seems to mitigate some of that. I was hoping that the K4 would 
be at least comparable.

     CW delay: Well, I wired my key and headphones directly to the Flex. 
My control PC would be way too slow to operate CW through it.

     Well, I'm not sure which way to go at this time. I like the Flex, 
but I'm "in-love" with Elecraft! Just wish I had a more experiential 
based opinion to consider!

     Thanks all for your comments! I'll keep my eye on this thread...

     k WB9FMC


On 3/5/22 11:58, Rich Lim wrote:
> Hi Kurt, I figured I would reply to you directly as this topic is 
> controversial and may get some people’s undies in a bunch!. I have a 
> flex 6480 and entire stable of Elecraft rigs from K-1 all the way to 
> K3. My K4 is on order and hopefully will be here by the summer.  In my 
> estimation, the flex 6400 is a great radio no doubt about it, receiver 
> is excellent and as a plus I can work FT8 remotely from work!
>
> The only thing I have bad to say about the flex is that being a CW OP, 
> there is a big delay between keying the rig and transmit such that it 
> throws me off dramatically in my sending. I’ve resorted to using an 
> external keyer otherwise I really can’t work CW aiding the radio 
> keyer. Furthermore, it may or may not be a downside to you, but using 
> a computer to control all the rig functions to me is less than ideal. 
>  I like knobs and a spinning VFO wheel, sure the flex has Maestro but 
> who knows when and if that we’ll ever be released.
>
> As far as performance, there is nothing that I could hear on the flex 
> that I cannot hear on the K3. I’m contest situations, I think the K 
> line has an advantage since you can add crystal filters in the 
> superhet stage and prevent receiver overload from nearby stations. 
> This would be most important if you are a CW or RTTY operator.
>
> You may want to consider taking a listen to the latest Ham Radio 
> Workbench Podcast. Rob Sherwood talks about his receiver list and 
> specifically mentions the flex series of radios and Elecraft rigs. 
> Bottom line is any of the top 20 radios on his list will work 
> fantastic, only if you’re a heavy contester will you notice a difference.
>
> I also has a Yaesu in FTDX 10 and while that radio has a great 
> receiver in great DSP, the ergonomics are not great and CW is tedious 
> as you cannot run for QSK. I think the bottom line is what you’re most 
> comfortable with in terms of  their ergonomics is going to be the most 
> important factor unless you are a big time contest operator.
>
> Finally, I’m happy to support both of these companies as they are the 
> only two remaining large American ham radio companies. If either go 
> down the tube, who is going to push the big three to continue to 
> innovate?. I hope this helps you a little bit, and if you wish to 
> discuss it further more than happy to do so and feel free to email me 
> directly. Take care!
> Rich
> KQ9L
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone 
> <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS>
>
> On Saturday, March 5, 2022, 12:15 AM, Kurt Pawlikowski 
> <kurtt at pinrod.com> wrote:
>
>     Hi!
>
>         I was wondering whether there is anyone who has done a
>     side-by-side
>     comparison between the K4 and the Flex 6400 or any other Flex
>     "direct to
>     digital" radio?
>
>         Background: As it happens, I purchased a 6400, which I received
>     about 9 months ago. I use it with a computer, but I had ordered a
>     Maestro when I ordered the 6400. Unfortunately, the Maestro is
>     still on
>     back-order and will be until some time next year. When I checked with
>     Elecraft, they said the delay time for a K4 was about 6 months (no, I
>     won't hold them to that!). So, I'm wondering if it would be worth
>     jumping to the K4. Mind you, I'm not unhappy with the Flex and,
>     when I
>     ordered it I had considered a K4, but it was outside my budget at
>     that
>     time. I'm rethinking that decision. Also, I've been an Elecraft
>     fan for
>     quite some time. At any rate, I'd like some opinions from
>     experience and
>     the only ones I have seen were written before the K4 was
>     available. So,
>     a little help would be appreciated! Thanks!
>
>         k WB9FMC
>
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