Hi Joe,
Well, I never said anything about a K3/10 with slots for VHF/UHF modules.
What I was envisioning is a box...no display/front panel/speaker. A
blank box. Just something to install modules into. It would be
CONTROLLED by the K3..saving on cost.
Yes, the demand might be low if the modules were just for weak signal
VHF/UHF ops. But add in FM, digital modes, satellite ops and the market
expands.
Small market is also why I mentioned an open source architecture.
Elecraft would provide the box with standardized slots (think like a
PC-ie slot in a computer) and others could provide the module. Elecraft
could still offer the high volume modules,say for 2M, 432, etc. But if
you wanted a 9cm band module maybe an enterprising microwave op or a
company like Down East Microwave could offer one that matched the
Elecraft slot and control architecture.
The problem with separate transverters, besides having multiple boxes,
is the cost. Some of that cost could be eliminated by placing the
common control circuitry in the back-plane box, instead of the
duplication with separate transverters. Right now, if I wanted to buy
transverters for 2M, 220 and 432 we're talking $1200. If I could get a
box that I could install three modules into for $800 or $1200 to add
1296 MHz or a full duplex satellite module, it starts to get
attractive. Especially compared to what ICOM or others is offering.
On 8/23/2013 5:53 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
The problem here is cost/development time vs. potential demand. Quite
frankly the market for a K3/10 with slots for VHF/UHF modules is likely
to be too small to justify the development time. That's one reason the
"open backplane" provided by the daisy chain design of the XV series.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 8/23/2013 5:39 PM, Gary K9GS wrote:
I think something like a back-plane box where you can install various
"band modules" for whatever VHF/UHF/Microwave modules you want. For
really esoteric bands like laser communications make it open source so
others could design modules that Elecraft wouldn't be interested in
because the volume is too low. You could even have a Lowfer module.
Some of the modules could accommodate either an optional internal
amplifier (like 100W+ for 2M) or be able to drive an external
amplifier. Outputs could be provided for relay control of an external
amp, sequencer, mast mounted preamp, etc. Maybe make the back-plane
boxes "daisy-chain-able" in case you really want to go nuts. Power the
back-plane box from an external 12V DC supply so it could be used by
rovers.
The back-plane box could be controlled by a K3, KX3, K3-0, remotely
through Rig-Remote, etc.
On 8/23/2013 4:16 PM, ~BG~ wrote:
Personally I'd like something more portable than a K3/10 with a pile of
transverters though. More like a KX3 but strictly an all-mode VHF/UHF
rig,
no HF. 6m, 2m, 70cm, 1.2 GHz, and perhaps 2.4 GHz in the box, perhaps
with
4m, 1.25cm, and 900 MHz as options. I'd be on the fence about general
coverage reception (my R20 already covers that sort of). 1-2 BNC
connections on the side along with an SMA, so you can run at least two
antennas (e.g. rubber ducky + a hand-held yagi, or backpack mounted
vertical + a UHF bullet). Perhaps being able to optionally bypass the
internal DSP for processing and use laptop to do all your processing
(somewhat like a USRP, but more portable, granted this would start
putting
the radio in to Flex territory), or plug in a USB cam and do some
simple
ATV broadcasts (although the radio would need a fair amount of
memory and
processing power for this).
Once you get smaller than the IC-703/7000 form-factor you're pretty
much
stuck in the realm of FM only, and that kind of blows. Granted it seems
like a pretty small niche, but I kind of wonder if there's a chunk of
potential users out there who are apartment dwellers and are turned
off by
the logistics of running a home HF base station. Plus to me,
Elecraft at
it's heart is more about small, portable radios...
./ben
W6MCM
On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 12:02 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV<li...@subich.com>
wrote:
I bought a K3 kit. I love it for HF work, but I'd also like to
see an
integrated desktop replacement for the FT-736R to cover 6m (or 2m)
through 23cm (or perhaps 13cm?).
Does not the K3 with XV-144, XV-220 and VX-432 already answer that
need through 70 cm? If so, would not the answer seem to be in added
transverters for 900 MHZ, 1.2 GHz and 2.3 GHz? It seems that the K3
can already address up to 9 transverters/transverter bands ... even
if it were necessary to use more than one "band" to cover the needed
spectrum, I would think a K3/10 with six transverters would more than
sufficient as a 1.8 MHz to 2.4 GHz platform.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 8/23/2013 1:30 PM, Bayard Coolidge, N1HO wrote:
Lew Phelps, N6LEW, mentioned the FT-736R.
I have one, and used it for many years when I was living on top of a
decent hill in New Hampshire.
I briefly flirted with the idea of buying an IC-9100 to replace my
IC-746Pro AND the FT-736R, but after reading many review articles, as
well as the discussions on this list, I bought a K3 kit. I love it
for HF work, but I'd also like to see an integrated desktop
replacement for the FT-736R to cover 6m (or 2m) through 23cm (or
perhaps 13cm?). The FT-736R was touted as a satellite radio, but I'm
not personally interested in the more esoteric satellite features
(such as reverse VFO tracking), as I preferred to do weak-signal
work, with some cross-mode and FM operating. I still have the "brick"
amplifiers for 2, 222 and 432 MHz that I used with the FT-736R, and
they're still currently available, so I'm thinking that the
envisioned Elecraft product only needs to put out 5-10W, but should
have separate per-band relay keying lines.
Just my 20 millidollars' worth of daydreaming...
Brandy, N1HO
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73,
Gary K9GS
Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org
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