> 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. >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 > ______________________________________________________________ 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