Lew, Although I am HF only, you put a very strong case for a K4 as you describe. I wonder now if the minds at elecraft are working on a similar scheme....Hmmmmmm
Gary On 27 July 2011 10:05, Lew Phelps K6LMP <k6...@me.com> wrote: > 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 > -- VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile Elecraft Equipment K3 #679, KPA-500 #018 Living the dream!!! ______________________________________________________________ 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
