Agreed Gary, Lew sure does put the case forward rather eloquently doesn't he? If Elecraft made a rig like Lew described, I would purchase one in a heartbeat. Although I love my K3 and my soon to arrive KPA500, my first love in Amateur Radio was and remains VHF/UHF operation. (6m and up)
73 de Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF Elecraft K3 # 4257 + K144XV + KPA500 + PR6 = A multi-band contesters wet dream! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Gregory" <garyvk...@gmail.com> To: "Lew Phelps K6LMP" <k6...@me.com> Cc: <Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 10:16 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4 > 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
