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<[email protected]> 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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Gary K9GS
Greater Milwaukee DX Association:http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters:http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032http://www.cwops.org
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