I can think of a lot of reasons somebody might want to upgrade their
radio, but purely "to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles"
falls very low on my list, and growing "tired of looking at the same
radio" isn't on it at all. If a new radio offers significantly
improved utility, great ... otherwise we're sitting at the same table as
those who buy the newest smart phone every time one comes out simply to
be able to say they have it.
I say this not as an Elecraft user (although I own a K1, KX2, and
upgraded K3), but as a consumer who judges a product by it's performance
to cost ratio. Upgrades need to provide me with improved utility, not
simply warm fuzzies that I have the latest.
Dave AB7E
On 5/20/2018 6:22 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote:
I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that
Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a
new competitive desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working
on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other
manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly.
It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive
radio. It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer
radios are significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we
who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit
with the latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is
technology over a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of
looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a
second and newer radio, a K3S. Ho, hum.
At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or
one radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in
abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of
Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as
well. I have not yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a
K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost
advantage and way behind the market. Of course, we who drink the
Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase.
To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their
vehicles are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years
not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in
fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer
or upgraded options. How about your cellphone? How many are using one
10 years old? It's personal preference just like it is for radios.
73,
Dan
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