There once was sold an excellent rig (for its day) sold by Yaesu called the FT-736r. It was designed and marketed primarily for satellite work, but became very popular among VHF-UHF contesters. In fact, I know of quite few who still use it, but they are looking for alternatives, since the '736 is becoming unreliable with age.
The FT-736r had internal slot for four band-specific modules (transverters); the owner could mix and match among 6 meter, 2 meter, 220, 440, and 1296 mhz SSB. The modules were rated for 25 watts output through 220 mHz and 20 watts on 440 and above. Its receiver was not very impressive compared with what you can get with a K3 and transverters, but those who own it love it. Given the physical size and relatively high running temp of existing Elecraft transverters, my guess is that they'd have to be redesigned for slightly less power output to fit within the K3 case on a K3-based motherboard. But 16 watts out from a transverter module into an amplifier with 15 db gain would yield 500 watts out, and that's plenty for the uses such a rig would be put to. Marry a "K4" to a purpose-built VHF/UHF amplifier (akin to the KPA-500) and you would have a killer rig for VHF-UHF contesting. As for price, take a look at the eHam reviews of the FT-736r. The basic unit sells today for more than $500, even though decades old, and the "scarce" 222 mhz and 1296 mHz modules sometimes fetch $1,000 on eBay. People who are into satellite work and VHF/UHF contesting would fight for a place in line to buy such a rig, and for many it would be a bargain compared with trying to set up a complete FT-736r. If space allowed, five bands would be even better, but since most VHF/UHF contesters use a separate rig for 6 meters anyway, you could get by with four, covering 2m, 1.25 m, 70 cm, and 23 cm bands. You can easily spend $3k or $4k to put together a comparably equipped FT-736, which suggests that the market would accept a price of up to $5k for a new and very high-quality rig such as the hypothetical K4. And it absolutely would not pirate sales from the K3, although it would put a dent in sales of transverters. Please don't think that's a reason for not producing such a radio. If Elecraft followed that philosophy we'd not have the K3 or KX3. I would sell my car and walk 25 miles to work to get a "K4". Lew K6LMP > On 26 Jul 2011, at 14:08, Daniel Brown wrote: > >> A purpose built VHF/UHF/uWave and Satellite focused rig would be great >> - small section of the market, likely, but would be great for those of >> us who are interested there. >> >> 73, >> N8YSZ. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
