Re: [Elecraft] K4 delivery status
OK, apologies for starting this thread. All I was looking for were answers to sort of related questions: If I were to order a K4 now, will it work into my K3-RRC1258 remote to the K3-RRC1258 at W7RN? A good friend answered directly. I have no more questions. Certainly did not want to stir up the Flex vs Elecraft pot. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County On 8/16/2021 9:04 PM, David Gilbert wrote: I'm not missing any point other than your continued deflection with that Flex wall of text, and I certainly know that software development takes time and people. My only point has been that Elecraft is shipping K4's without the software that they at least implied already existed (they demo'd it!) and that obviously other other (probably more important) efforts are taking precedence over its completion. Why do you keep acting like I have said anything else?? Dave AB7E On 8/16/2021 8:33 PM, Barry Baines wrote: David: On Aug 16, 2021, at 10:27 PM, David Gilbert wrote: Well, I'm not particularly interested in Flex's history, but that seems to be a pretty long winded agreement that there probably isn't any timetable for the remote capability that Elecraft appeared to demonstrate in their video upon the release of the K4. As an aside, last I checked software development wasn't dependent upon piece part supply. Priorities are priorities, though ... I'm just saying that the remote capability doesn't appear to be very high on the list. That's obviously Elecraft's choice, but for me the remote capability was probably the one key attribute that might convince me to switch from my K3 to the K4. For everything else that actually matters to me in the way of raw performance, the K3 seems as good or better. Perhaps you’re missing my point. Yes, hardware production is dependent upon parts supply, but the focus of development is software both in terms of user interface as well as the ‘internals’ of managing “Software" Defined Radio systems is significantly greater than prior Elecraft products. It took Flex nearly five years after initial product announcement to provide Wide Area Network remote capability for their Flex-6 products. When it came out in 2017, it changed the entire nature of Flex products. Remote operation is what is driving Flex users today. Elecraft presumably understands this, but clearly there are other software development concerns they’re currently focusing upon. And how do you balance the need to get hardware product out-the-door (to generate revenue) versus software development that has been implicitly promised but is presumably initially paid for with a hardware purchase? The priority is presumably to get product out-the-door… And as good as job as Elecraft did on K4 software development before product release, there will be ‘bugs’ found by users as the user base expands. Thus, there is also a continuing need for “software maintenance.” I have no idea what ‘software licensing’ model Elecraft may pursue down the road. Will ‘remote operation’ be a separate product to be purchased when it is available? The version of SmartSDR that users obtained when they received their Flex-6xxx eventually was replaced by an ‘enhanced’ version that offers new features with a new version number that requires payment for a new license if the user wants the enhanced capabilities. The license is associated with the radio, not the user. Thus, I went from v1.xxx when the Flex was delivered in November 2013 and later paid for v2.xxx when "Smartlink” (Remote operation) was introduced in 2017. Later, Flex offered “Multiflex” under SmartSDR v3.xxx that I elected not to purchase and my current SmartSDR v2.7.6 supports my current needs. “Versions” reflect new capabilities (e.g. “Smartlink” and “Multiflex”) while bug fixes within a version are provided as part of the existing license. This pricing model is common in the computer industry and it does provide a revenue stream to help support continued software development. In addition, I paid for SmartSDR for Mac and SmartSDR for iOS licenses developed outside of Flex because they offer features I was willing to pay for with the developer promising future updates without additional fees. Thus, don’t overlook the significance of software development both in terms of development time and expense. I presume that the software development effort for the K4 is significantly greater than prior Elecraft products requiring special skills (such as FPGA programming) and more extensive development efforts than in the past that takes time and resources to successfully implement. FWIW, Barry, WD4ASW/1 73, Dave AB7E On 8/16/2021 5:55 PM, Barry Baines wrote: David: On Aug 16, 2021, at 7:28 PM, David Gilbert wrote: Apparently not. I recently asked on this list if new K4 users could tell us how well the K4 worked for remote operations. The only replies I got sa
[Elecraft] K3S audio quality issue
Listening to the K3S audio had become very fatiguing for me as of late. It sounds like hum or carrier is mixed in at the low end. It is very similar to the sound, if you tune a little bit higher on USB. I checked the same stations on my KX3, they sounded great. Used the same headphones in both cases. Has someone had the similar problem and is there any solution before I request the official support? Thanks,Mike, AB3VN __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 delivery status
On 8/16/2021 5:55 PM, Barry Baines via Elecraft wrote: The amplifier was returned to Flex in December 2018 due to warranty recall (issue with six meters). Release of the KPA1500 was delayed by the need to fix an issue on 6M. I learned this from someone in a Visalia booth. Mine has been working flawlessly for more than a year. Prior to that, I made extensive use of a KPA500 and KAT500, and still use them for county expeditions. Elecraft does extensive beta testing before they start shipping products. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] EXCELLENT!!!
It is so good to see this impressive post. So many people simply accept such great service as just the folks involved doing their jobs. Yes, they were. However, I think that you made their day, and it is so important to encourage such good effort. Ultimately, all Elecraft equipment owners benefit Ed Tanton N4XY in Marietta, Georgia K2 Beta Tester #00057 from all those years ago. Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Super Help from Support at Elecraft Technician Rob
On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 7:57 AM Carter Craigie wrote: > Dear Wayne and Eric, > I am bringing to your attention the excellent guidance, assistance, and > patience given to me yesterday by the Support at Elecraft technician, known > only to me as Rob. > I had had a problem with my KXPA100 amplifier, and, indeed, after > struggling to get it working again after I had moved my KX3, PX3, and that > amp from one floor of our home up to another. The amp appeared to be either > “dead,” or nearing “death.” > I tried everything I could think of for a complete week, but kept being > defeated. It was at that point I threw in the sponge and requested help > from Support at Elecraft. > After some time Rob sent me an email, and then we exchanged emails for > several hours. Then he suggested I telephone him, and Receptionist Michelle > quickly connected us. And then my situation started to improve and improve. > > Rob suggested I disconnect, and then to reconnect all the various cables, > making quite sure I had them all seated properly. At one point he had me > take a sharp inspection of all the plugs themselves, to make sure they were > in proper shape. He suggested I use an RCA plug and cable (which I cobbled > together as quickly as I could) to ensure the TX LED would light up > properly, and it DID. > > Rob then helped me understand why my ON/OFF LED was flashing (I had my KX3 > set with too low a power request) and how to fix that. Next he “held my > hand” working with me to recalibrate the amp’s internal ATU settings. He > was VERY patient, as I used my dummy load to go through each and every > band, to bring the output up to the 75 Watts he told me to set on the KX3. > (Those instructions were on page 52, I believe, in the KXPA100 manual…which > I had never read!) > > We finally signed off our telephone conversation when Rob made sure I was > as happy as could be! I know this Thank You Recognition is long, but there > will be those who might have asked how my “dead” KXPA100 amp was brought > back to life. > > Wayne and Eric, please let Rob know you have read my Thank You note here. > He was , and must be, outstanding, and a big credit to Elecraft. > > 73, > Carter Craigie, N3AO > Blacksburg, VA > SATISFIED CUSTOMER > > > > -- > Carter, N3AO > Blacksburg, VA > -- Carter, N3AO Blacksburg, VA __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Power Level
After posting the question I found this on page 102 of the manual: RTTY/Data Operation Since some RTTY/Data mode duty cycles approach 100%, you should reduce power to about 5 watts or avoid transmitting at 10 watts for longer than 1-2 minutes at a time. (Power levels above 10 watts are not recommend.) For me, 5 watts with FT8 is more than adequate. Aaron K5ATG __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K4 delivery status
And 9 years later, your F6700 is still 2nd on Sherwood's list. John AE5X https://ae5x.blogspot.com > 1. Hamvention 2012 was when Flex announced the Flex-6700 transceiver __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4
If you don't travel first class, your kids will. Get the K4 (and the K5) and when your key goes silent the kids can sell it. k4ia, Buck K3s# 11497 Honor Roll 8B DXCC EasyWayHamBooks.com On 8/17/2021 1:23 AM, BRUCE WW8II wrote: Give it to your kids WW8II On Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 5:40 PM Ken Roberson via Elecraft < elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote: I have 4 kids, I could give each another $1500.00 when I dieor I could buy A new K4 , Let’s see which should I do? Ken K5DNL __ 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 Message delivered to wa8...@gmail.com __ 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 Message delivered to radiok...@gmail.com __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Super Help from Support at Elecraft Technician Rob
Dear Wayne and Eric, I am bringing to your attention the excellent guidance, assistance, and patience given to me yesterday by the Support at Elecraft technician, known only to me as Rob. I had had a problem with my KXPA100 amplifier, and, indeed, after struggling to get it working again after I had moved my KX3, PX3, and that amp from one floor of our home up to another. The amp appeared to be either “dead,” or nearing “death.” I tried everything I could think of for a complete week, but kept being defeated. It was at that point I threw in the sponge and requested help from Support at Elecraft. After some time Rob sent me an email, and then we exchanged emails for several hours. Then he suggested I telephone him, and Receptionist Michelle quickly connected us. And then my situation started to improve and improve. Rob suggested I disconnect, and then to reconnect all the various cables, making quite sure I had them all seated properly. At one point he had me take a sharp inspection of all the plugs themselves, to make sure they were in proper shape. He suggested I use an RCA plug and cable (which I cobbled together as quickly as I could) to ensure the TX LED would light up properly, and it DID. Rob then helped me understand why my ON/OFF LED was flashing (I had my KX3 set with too low a power request) and how to fix that. Next he “held my hand” working with me to recalibrate the amp’s internal ATU settings. He was VERY patient, as I used my dummy load to go through each and every band, to bring the output up to the 75 Watts he told me to set on the KX3. (Those instructions were on page 52, I believe, in the KXPA100 manual…which I had never read!) We finally signed off our telephone conversation when Rob made sure I was as happy as could be! I know this Thank You Recognition is long, but there will be those who might have asked how my “dead” KXPA100 amp was brought back to life. Wayne and Eric, please let Rob know you have read my Thank You note here. He was , and must be, outstanding, and a big credit to Elecraft. 73, Carter Craigie, N3AO Blacksburg, VA SATISFIED CUSTOMER -- Carter, N3AO Blacksburg, VA __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
