Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Yes. I can understand your feelings for the K1. It's the coolest cw transceiver you can own. Not too small - not too big. Seems like there is nothing I can't work with it. If I can hear - I can work it. Mine has 80, 40, 20 and 17 and the tuner. A 120' doublet feed with 300 ohm twin-lead and I'm set. The tuner can tune it to any of the bands. I bought one when it first came out. After a while I sold it. A few years later it dawned on me how perfect it was. So I built another and love it. Same with the K2. I built #1920. Hand it for a few years and good a great offer and sold it. A year later I built another one. I liked it but didn't quite love it enough. Sold it too. A few years later I realized I just wanted another K2. Built my third one like a work of art. Now then can place it in the coffin with me when I go. I'll never part with. I must be a little thick because it seems to take a while for me to realize how irreplaceable the K1 and K2 are. 73, Doug -- K0DXV On 4/12/2014 11:52 PM, EricJ wrote: Obviously a lot of thought has been put into evolving the Elecraft lineup. I have everything up to but not including the K3. The K1 is my favorite for some reason. I like how it sounds on CW. I like the relative simplicity and size. The KX1 is a very different radio and very specialized for a smaller niche. I never liked how it tunes, having to continually twist and poke the tiny tuning knob which feels a little wobbly while you're doing all that. I liked the K2 so much I bought two of them. hi. The KX3 doesn't attract me much because if I'm having fun camping or hiking, a radio is kind of a distraction to me. The K1 more than fills the need for a portable radio for the few times I pack it. The KX3 is obviously a very popular choice for many others. But a K3/10 is in my near future for the home shack. Definitely something in their line up for every interest. Elecraft rigs are the only commercial rigs I have anymore, and when I drop into HRO and spin the dial on the other offerings, I can't even pretend interest. They all feel gaudy and gimmicky. All show and no go as we used to say about custom cars. Eric KE6US On 4/12/2014 10:04 PM, Robin Bayer wrote: I am still adding to my K2...but just dreaming...I would like to see a center detent on the RIT, a kx3 like display, except green, with both A/B VFOs displayed. A separate digital in/out like the K3, an updated DAC with finer resolution... And DSP controls like K3/KX3. I know get a KX3...not yet. Ok I would really dig a P2. Maybe one that also folds up and rests on top of the radio and when closed acts as a front panel cover. Or maybe one that slides out from under the radio, has touch screen keyboard, digital decode, and pan adapter. or folds out 4 ways like an SLR screen. I still use my loaded K1 often, but always wanted a 20 turn VFO with a lock. I can't believe someone hasn't made And 80 or 40 thru 12m on one band board. KX1...like as is it but sometimes miss having 17-12m. Rob KA5QQA On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:40 AM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to "align". I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the "middle" a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a "high voltage" RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an "App"; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest "compiled" App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) "Competition Grade". 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14)
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Obviously a lot of thought has been put into evolving the Elecraft lineup. I have everything up to but not including the K3. The K1 is my favorite for some reason. I like how it sounds on CW. I like the relative simplicity and size. The KX1 is a very different radio and very specialized for a smaller niche. I never liked how it tunes, having to continually twist and poke the tiny tuning knob which feels a little wobbly while you're doing all that. I liked the K2 so much I bought two of them. hi. The KX3 doesn't attract me much because if I'm having fun camping or hiking, a radio is kind of a distraction to me. The K1 more than fills the need for a portable radio for the few times I pack it. The KX3 is obviously a very popular choice for many others. But a K3/10 is in my near future for the home shack. Definitely something in their line up for every interest. Elecraft rigs are the only commercial rigs I have anymore, and when I drop into HRO and spin the dial on the other offerings, I can't even pretend interest. They all feel gaudy and gimmicky. All show and no go as we used to say about custom cars. Eric KE6US On 4/12/2014 10:04 PM, Robin Bayer wrote: I am still adding to my K2...but just dreaming...I would like to see a center detent on the RIT, a kx3 like display, except green, with both A/B VFOs displayed. A separate digital in/out like the K3, an updated DAC with finer resolution... And DSP controls like K3/KX3. I know get a KX3...not yet. Ok I would really dig a P2. Maybe one that also folds up and rests on top of the radio and when closed acts as a front panel cover. Or maybe one that slides out from under the radio, has touch screen keyboard, digital decode, and pan adapter. or folds out 4 ways like an SLR screen. I still use my loaded K1 often, but always wanted a 20 turn VFO with a lock. I can't believe someone hasn't made And 80 or 40 thru 12m on one band board. KX1...like as is it but sometimes miss having 17-12m. Rob KA5QQA On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:40 AM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to "align". I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the "middle" a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a "high voltage" RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an "App"; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest "compiled" App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) "Competition Grade". 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the "75A4 Cabinet": nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
I am still adding to my K2...but just dreaming...I would like to see a center detent on the RIT, a kx3 like display, except green, with both A/B VFOs displayed. A separate digital in/out like the K3, an updated DAC with finer resolution... And DSP controls like K3/KX3. I know get a KX3...not yet. Ok I would really dig a P2. Maybe one that also folds up and rests on top of the radio and when closed acts as a front panel cover. Or maybe one that slides out from under the radio, has touch screen keyboard, digital decode, and pan adapter. or folds out 4 ways like an SLR screen. I still use my loaded K1 often, but always wanted a 20 turn VFO with a lock. I can't believe someone hasn't made And 80 or 40 thru 12m on one band board. KX1...like as is it but sometimes miss having 17-12m. Rob KA5QQA On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:40 AM, Michael Poteet wrote: > Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer > speculation in a different direction. > > > > The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided > a radio capable of both home use and trail use. > > > > The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the > other > radios in the Elecraft stable. > > > > The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that > said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to > "align". > > > > I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): > > > > > > 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could > be > kits (at least partially). > > > > 02) Fully assembled as an option. > > > > 03) Make the "middle" a high performance SDR; factory assembled and > aligned. > > > > 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining > filtering functions. > > > > 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a "high voltage" > RF section. > > > > 06) 100 watts output. > > > > 07) No FM but add 6 meters. > > > > 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source > implementations. Make it an "App"; Elecraft would maintain the latest > source code and latest "compiled" App; anyone who wished could modify and > install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute > something meaningful. > > > > 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese > radio jargon) "Competition Grade". > > > > 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. > > > > 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of > Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. > > > > 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. > > > > 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the > big knobs and toggle switches. > > > > 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take > some > action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. > > > > 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and > switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). > > > > 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the > middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for > freq control. > > > > 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. > > > > 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable > pages. > > > > 19) Embed this all inside the "75A4 Cabinet": nice size box, mostly air > inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent > speaker). > > > > 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a > desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your > band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the > tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick > back and operate. Toggle switches for AGC On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise > Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary controls for receive > bandpass > width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to set/adjust the > characteristics > of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, etc. Switched LCD meter to > provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever. > > > > > > > > OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen: > > > > 1) No one would want one. > > 2) It would be too big. > > 3) It wouldn't be big enough. > > 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial resources to develop such a device. > > 5) Purchase price would be too high. > > 6) Besides it would take engineering talent away from the development of > the > K4, the 1500 watt solid state amp, the VHF to near-infrared transceiver, > the > Elecraft EPad, etc. > > > > > > But, it would be a really neat rig: very "Retro" look with a high tech > heart. > > > > Mike W5FTD > > > > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home:
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
I tend to think that a big, color display would provide a great deal more information including the state of all important controls. I do believe that the K3 is a complex rig as it is. Everything has been done to make its complexity as manageable as possible - but the size and nature of the display is limiting. This is not negative criticism. The design is superb. As I daydream of a K4, I don't think it's an issue of performance so much as enhanced usability. It would not take much to add a keyboard input and a bigger display to add terminal-like capabilities for digital modes. Integration of the P3 is hardly out of the question. Given a much larger display, an evolved K3 could actually be made much simpler to operate. I think Elecraft has spurred the Big Three to rethink their designs. Elecraft has reset the standards and forced the bar to be raised substantially. There is a substantial push to color displays that graphically relate the state of most settings. The concept works well. The state of the art is never static. The K3 and KX3 (and even the K2) are at the top of the list for performance. But the state of the art for the user interface is being advanced rapidly by the Big Three. So, I would speculate that in comparison, the K3 is becoming dated in its market appeal. The Big Three have proven that when they try - they can come close the K-line performance class. And now, clearly, they see the user interface as the defining difference. Having worked for 2 decades as a Usability Engineer for Big Blue, product appeal is /greatly/ influencing in a person's initial impression of a product. Our design goals where to design user interfaces so well that a manual was unnecessary. I think the potential K4 could dominate not only the performance category, but also match or exceed the best transceiver interfaces available. It really wouldn't hard with current technology. Maybe, with inflation, this my 4 cents worth... 73, Doug -- K0DXV (Senior Usability Engineer - IBM Usability Engineering National Practice (Retired)) On 4/12/2014 7:05 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: With any transceiver, there is always the problem of the ham behind the VFO knob. If you can solve that, it would be of great benefit to the entire ham community. An advanced transceiver will be more and more complex. but hopefully as technologies advance, the manufacturers will provide default menu items that will produce a workable transceiver. The Elecraft K3 default menus do provide a quite workable transceiver (although the kit version does need to be calibrated). Many users will want to optimize the menu settings for their particular operating desires and environment, but a factory built K3 will work FB "out of the box". 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 8:52 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: Yes, technology does advance. In addition to "Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example." -- Maybe there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at least my rigs!) :-) __ 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 k0...@aol.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
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Just the mention of the 75A4 brings a nostalgic tingle. I was too young at that time to even dream of owning one, but I did get to turn that big knob and listen on occasion. I feel sorry for those new hams who will never have the chance to know how special that radio was - and still is. ...robert On 4/12/2014 17:58, EricJ wrote: Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! I couldn't agree more on the styling of the 75A4. Nobody's going to mistake it for a high end stereo receiver. Eric KE6US On 4/11/2014 10:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. __ 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 rc...@verizon.net -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rc...@verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA __ 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] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
With any transceiver, there is always the problem of the ham behind the VFO knob. If you can solve that, it would be of great benefit to the entire ham community. An advanced transceiver will be more and more complex. but hopefully as technologies advance, the manufacturers will provide default menu items that will produce a workable transceiver. The Elecraft K3 default menus do provide a quite workable transceiver (although the kit version does need to be calibrated). Many users will want to optimize the menu settings for their particular operating desires and environment, but a factory built K3 will work FB "out of the box". 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 8:52 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: Yes, technology does advance. In addition to "Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example." -- Maybe there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at least my rigs!) :-) __ 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] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Yes, technology does advance. In addition to "Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example." -- Maybe there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at least my rigs!) :-) Phil W7OX On 4/12/14, 4:15 PM, Doug Person wrote: I would rather continue to speculate on a K4. The K2 is wonderful the way it is. Last I heard Elecraft had a huge stockpile of parts for the K2. So I would expect it to be around a few more years. What more could you ask for in a portable rig than the KX3 has to offer? /If/ there is ever going to be a K4, I would imagine it would go to the top of the market. A 4" to 5" full color TFT display with waterfall and full digital information. Built-in PSK, RTTY, CW and provisions for just about any future technology - including digital voice. Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. Built-in remote operation capability standard. Built-in WiFi, Ethernet and Bluetooth. Considering how far technology has progressed since the K2 was designed, the possibilities are mind-boggling. Personally, I would love to see a K0. A very small, single-band plug-able, digital-capable, lithium-polymer powered, micro-transceiver I can put in my coat pocket. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Doug -- K0DXV On 4/11/2014 11:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to "align". I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the "middle" a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a "high voltage" RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an "App"; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest "compiled" App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) "Competition Grade". 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the "75A4 Cabinet": nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle switches for AGC On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary controls for receive bandpass width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to set/adjust the characteristics of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, etc. Switched LCD meter to provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever. OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen: 1) No one would want one. 2) It would be too big. 3) It wouldn't be big enough. 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial resources to develop such a device. 5) Purchase price would be too high. 6) Besides it would take engineering
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
I would rather continue to speculate on a K4. The K2 is wonderful the way it is. Last I heard Elecraft had a huge stockpile of parts for the K2. So I would expect it to be around a few more years. What more could you ask for in a portable rig than the KX3 has to offer? /If/ there is ever going to be a K4, I would imagine it would go to the top of the market. A 4" to 5" full color TFT display with waterfall and full digital information. Built-in PSK, RTTY, CW and provisions for just about any future technology - including digital voice. Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. Built-in remote operation capability standard. Built-in WiFi, Ethernet and Bluetooth. Considering how far technology has progressed since the K2 was designed, the possibilities are mind-boggling. Personally, I would love to see a K0. A very small, single-band plug-able, digital-capable, lithium-polymer powered, micro-transceiver I can put in my coat pocket. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Doug -- K0DXV On 4/11/2014 11:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to "align". I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the "middle" a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a "high voltage" RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an "App"; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest "compiled" App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) "Competition Grade". 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the "75A4 Cabinet": nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle switches for AGC On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary controls for receive bandpass width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to set/adjust the characteristics of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, etc. Switched LCD meter to provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever. OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen: 1) No one would want one. 2) It would be too big. 3) It wouldn't be big enough. 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial resources to develop such a device. 5) Purchase price would be too high. 6) Besides it would take engineering talent away from the development of the K4, the 1500 watt solid state amp, the VHF to near-infrared transceiver, the Elecraft EPad, etc. But, it would be a really neat rig: very "Retro" look with a high tech heart. Mike W5FTD _
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Well, if you folks will wait for another decade or so, the K1, K2 and KX1 will be "retro" too. Not only that, I would expect most of them to still be working FB. They will never be the size and weight on a 75A4! 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 2:35 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: My K2 sentiments, too, Eric. Relatively easy to work on and still a fine transceiver. I still have several projects in mind for it, and with the K3 as my main rig now I feel more free to take the K2/100 off line for a longer period than before. Basically, I'd like the K2 to stay a K2. It will be interesting to hear your K1 ideas. Mine pretty much sits in a drawer, fully outfitted with options. It would like some attention :-) 73, Phil W7OX On 4/12/14, 10:58 AM, EricJ wrote: Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! __ 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] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
My K2 sentiments, too, Eric. Relatively easy to work on and still a fine transceiver. I still have several projects in mind for it, and with the K3 as my main rig now I feel more free to take the K2/100 off line for a longer period than before. Basically, I'd like the K2 to stay a K2. It will be interesting to hear your K1 ideas. Mine pretty much sits in a drawer, fully outfitted with options. It would like some attention :-) 73, Phil W7OX On 4/12/14, 10:58 AM, EricJ wrote: Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! I couldn't agree more on the styling of the 75A4. Nobody's going to mistake it for a high end stereo receiver. Eric KE6US On 4/11/2014 10:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. __ 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] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! I couldn't agree more on the styling of the 75A4. Nobody's going to mistake it for a high end stereo receiver. Eric KE6US On 4/11/2014 10:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. 11) Put it all inside a "big" box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real "Collins" style knobs , real "bat handle" toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. __ 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
