> The K4 would be better off, with NO HF :-)
Why? Considering that 28 MHz is required as the IF for the VHF/UHF
"band modules" (transverters) and the base K3/K4 would include the
8/10 Watt six meter capability, there is no cost difference/impact.
I would think that providing a way to keep the sub-receiver active
during transmit, allowing a second transverter to feed the sub RX
for cross band/multi band receive, and providing an "inverted link"
mode for the VFOs (for inverted transponder satellite work) would
make the K3/10 with XV stack essentially the perfect VHF/UHF rig -
other than the lack of a large case to hold the XV stack internally.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 7/26/2011 11:21 PM, Jack Chomley wrote:
>
> The K4 would be better off, with NO HF :-) Similar to the 736R and the later
> Icom 910H.
> Now that the 910H has been replaced with the higher priced Icom 9100, that
> includes HF.
> The market is short on VHF/UHF only radios with Multimode and SAT capability,
> as standalone radios.
>
> 73,
>
> Jack VK4JRC
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On 27/07/2011, at 12:18 PM, "Joe Subich, W4TV"<li...@subich.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Lew,
>>
>> Other than the fact that the FT-736R had all of the modules in the
>> case, what is the difference between a K4 such as you propose and
>> a K3/10 with a XV-144/XV-222/XV-432 stack? Perhaps Elecraft could
>> be persuaded to work on an XV-1290 to round out the offering ...
>>
>> Of more interest would be the ability to activate two of the XVs at
>> the same time and feed the second one to the K3's Aux input (sub RX)
>> for monitoring two bands, working satellites, or working cross band.
>> It would take some work with both the XVs and the K3 control code
>> but might pay off more than a VHF/UHF only "K4."
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>> On 7/26/2011 8:05 PM, Lew Phelps K6LMP 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.
>>>
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