[Elecraft] merry XMAS

[GS]

My K1  and the K3  are still going strong  -  by far the best CW rigs  !

Have fun with all the new rigs !

Gerd  oe3gsa


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[Elecraft] K3/0 Mini

[Michael C. Marx]

Hi all

So I have a K3/0 Mini with the remoterig setup. My station is a K3, P3, KAT500 
and KPA500.  I want to be able to keep it all hooked up while installing the 
remoterig system.  Is it possible to do this?  It looks like I need to 
disconnect the ACC CABLE going to the KPA500 along with the RS232 line so the 
remoterig can be used.  That pretty much disables the rest of the station. Am I 
missing something?   I sure don’t want to disconnect half of my station 
everytime I want to use remote.  I’d sure like any pointers on hooking this all 
up without disabling my station every time I want togo remote.  Any help is 
sure appreciated

73 Mike WB0SND 


Michael Marx
www.vacuumtubes.com
636-939-9190
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

A good, known accurate DVM is an asset to any station.  Use it to determine if 
the others are accurate.  There are several good brands available.   A DVM that 
is not accurate is worse than no DVM at all.   

My choice of many years ago is my Fluke 77.   After I tapped it with too much 
voltage, I sent it to Fluke for repair and calibration.  I am confident when I 
make a measurement it is accurate without question. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 2:12 PM, Buck  wrote:
> 
> The reliable place to measure the voltage at the K3x is using the supply 
> voltage display meter in the radio.  I was surprised to find mine was 
> significantly low.  I thought it was voltage drop but changing the supply 
> cable didn't make much difference.
> 
> Turns out the Astron power supply was more than a volt low and the meter on 
> the supply had been cranked up to make it appear to be correct.  I used two 
> separate VOMs to set the power supply and then adjusted the meter to make it 
> agree.
> 
> Moral of the story: don't rely on the meter on the power supply and assume a 
> low reading at the radio is due solely to voltage drop.
> 
> 
> 
> Buck, k4ia
> Honor Roll
> 8BDXCC
> EasyWayHamBooks.com
> 
>> On 12/23/2019 2:26 PM, Phil Kane wrote:
>>> On 12/22/2019 9:44 AM, Bob McGraw wrote:
>>> I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of
>>> the radio to the ground screw on the power supply.
>> That's for "bonding".  Where do you pick up "ground" - at the radio, at
>> the PS, or at some other point?
>> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
>> Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402
>> From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
>> Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[donovanf]

Eric, 


If you've grown tired of the usual awards, there's the "Alphabet Sandwich" 
Call Letter Award. See page 4: 


https://ftp.unpad.ac.id/orari/orari-diklat/pemula/organisasi/internasional/REG%203/JAPAN.pdf
 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

- Original Message -

From: "Eric J"  
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2019 6:56:22 PM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide 

I mean this sincerely. I'm NOT in grumpy-old-man mode, though I can do that 
very well. The majority of QSOs with new people are about as interesting, 
enduring and deep as a short chat in the checkout line at Safeway. Many aren't 
even that interesting. PSK ops just throw on a brag tape and walk away. It's a 
pleasant few minutes, but it rarely leads to anything more. It does happen, but 
who in their right mind would spend thousands of dollars and hours on the 
outside chance it does? The opportunity for superficial chit chat with 
strangers was NEVER on my mind at 14 when I got interested in ham radio so it's 
a bit much to expect teenagers today to care about that. 

Ham radio has always been chock full of quick award-qualifying or contest 
contacts. Worked All Continents, countries, states, provinces, counties, grids, 
lighthouses, summits, guys named Fred. Go back as far as you want in QST and 
it's full of honor rolls, contest results...and SKs. It's nothing new to this 
period in ham radio. But ham radio has also been full of interesting challenges 
too. It's never been a very homogeneous hobby. I have no predictions except 
things are rapidly changing and that will continue in whatever direction those 
entering the hobby take it. The Baofeng Techs will change it as much as us 
Heathkit Kids did. Change is good. 

Eric KE6US 

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Re: [Elecraft] NB/NR for K4 vs K4D

[Nr4c]

I doubt if there is any. A K4D is just a K4 with a second ADC and now has 4 
receivers instead of 2. 

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Dec 23, 2019, at 8:27 AM, John Stengrevics  
> wrote:
> 
> And, versus the K3S.
> 
> 73,
> 
> John
> WA1EAZ
> 
>> On Dec 22, 2019, at 11:38 PM, Drew AF2Z  wrote:
>> 
>> I'm not overly anxious about the K4 initial release date because I'll be 
>> waiting for the kit version. But in choosing between a K4 and K4D I'm 
>> wondering how much performance difference there is in NB/NR for the two 
>> models. It could be significant, no?
>> 
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Jim Campbell]

One point that I don't believe has been addressed is Emergency 
Communications. As a former ARES Emergency Coordinator, it seems to me 
that if Emergency Communications could be presented to young people in 
the right way it might interest some of them. It fills a need in the 
community. When other communications break down, hams can usually find a 
way to bridge the gap and provide the necessary communications. I can 
remember some exercises in Spartanburg County, SC where most of the 
people in the EOC were gathered around the ham radio position listening 
to live, relevant communications that their positions weren't getting. 
We were providing real-time communications because communications was 
our only job. Many others had their primary job and communications was 
something that they did when they had a spare minute.


Jim Campbell - W4BQP
K2/100 #2268
Former Spartanburg County, SC ARES EC
Former Spartanburg County, SC RACES Radio Officer


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

I do not use a “ground” at the station.  I don’t find or see that it’s needed.  
My station has a 4 wire #10 service from the breaker panel to the operating 
position.  The breakers are single 20A units. This gives me 240V for the amp 
and a duplex off of each leg.  Thus I maintain a common neutral and common 
ground to the breaker panel. 

Grounding for lightning protection is done outside of the house and that system 
is bonded back to the AC Mains ground rod below the service entrance. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 1:44 PM, Phil Kane  wrote:
> 
> On 12/22/2019 9:44 AM, Bob McGraw wrote:
> 
>> I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of
>> the radio to the ground screw on the power supply.
> 
> That's for "bonding".  Where do you pick up "ground" - at the radio, at
> the PS, or at some other point?
> 
> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
> Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402
> 
> From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
> Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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[Elecraft] Fw: Elecraft's market

[Bob Gibson via Elecraft]

I also have had many radio's.. I was locked into Yaesu starting with the FT-102 
and had all their models after that one until the K3 came out..I sold the first 
K3 and went back to a FT-9000..it just did not do the job on CW as the first K3 
I had so I bought a used bare bones K3 and filled it up with all the CW options 
that I needed and will never have anything else. This is one of the best 
options..you can buy a 10 year old radio and bring it up to date yourself.. It 
may not be the best looking rig but it is by far the best CW rig I have ever 
used for me! With the P3 and two speakers it will be my last rig.. 
 I hope everyone has a Merry Xmas and a safe New Year...

   73s Bob W5RG
 

   - Forwarded Message - From: Bob McGraw K4TAX 
To: Steven G. Steltzer Cc: 
"elecraft@mailman.qth.net" Sent: Monday, December 23, 
2019, 10:27:06 AM CSTSubject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft's market
 Of all the radios I’ve purchased over the years, CW performance is a key 
element in the decision.  I’m not a DX chaser, I’m not a contest operator, nor 
a high speed operator.  There is nothing like sending and receiving good 
quality CW.  Granted my fist needs improvement but what skill I have I do not 
want it deteriorated by a poor quality radio in this regard.    

Elecraft and one other US brand always has measured up to my requirements for 
performance radios. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 4:35 AM, Steven G. Steltzer  wrote:
> 
> I understand that CW ops are not the largest part of the market, but there 
> are still a very significant number of us, especially world wide. Just tune 
> across the bands on a major CW contest weekend. As long as Elecraft continues 
> to make CW as important as SSB and digital modes in their design philosophy, 
> in contrast to other manufacturers who are still using mechanical relays for 
> T/R switching for example, they will continue to own the lion's share of that 
> segment.
> 
> Thanks Wayne, Eric, and all for the great QRQ/QSK equipment.
> 
> Merry Christmas!
> Steve, WF3T
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Fred Jensen]

Hmmm ... the 2018 Annual Report is on  the ARRL site and it contains 
membership data thru the end of that year.  At any rate, ARRL membership 
numbers [both total and % of ham population] have been declining for a 
number of years.


>Who validated your 83.295%, Fred?

The phrase and number were coined by one of my former bosses.  In 
keeping with the phrase, I think he made the number up, I could always 
count on him to be scrupulously consistent.  I would be extraordinarily 
surprised if anyone validated the number and given news from Washington 
DC these days, I think it may be low. [:=)


73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 12/23/2019 2:44 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
The 170,00 figure is dated January, 2016,  and is the latest available 
from the ARRL website.


http://www.arrl.org/arrl-fact-sheet

Who validated your 83.295%, Fred?

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


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[Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Doug Millar via Elecraft]

A few observations. 
   

    We cannot think of the problem in passive terms. New hams will not come to 
us in great numbers. 
    We need to go to them. 
    We need hams to help teachers set up and run ham clubs in schools. 
(Collaborate)    We need to appear at events like Maker Faire and present ham 
radio in a new light. Some of our local group started, "Not your dad's ham 
radio" at the Faire. The Dorthy Grant Elementary School in Fontana is also 
another good example. 
 We could specifically interface with national youth-serving agencies and 
start or enlarge programs. How about a Sota/QRP activity that we develop with 
specific local groups?  
    What not to do- We had a science day a few years ago and had someone 
set up a field day operation. Unfortunately, he set up the radios so that he 
faced away from visitors and did not have a separate person to explain what was 
going on. No one was interested.  We have done ham radio demonstrations and 
information booths at dozens of fairs for years. Not a single new ham has made 
themselves known from those events. Obviously we were doing the wrong thing at 
the wrong place and probably in the wrong way.  
     We have put lots of effort into outreach. We have done what seemed to be 
the right thing, without analyzing whether it really was the right thing. Most 
nonprofit groups spend huge amounts of money and time in this area with little 
to show for it. 
 We need to reach out to groups and form partnerships that work.  One 
organizational technique I am using in my area is to establish "daughter" 
clubs. These are smaller clubs or groups that we specifically help with 
equipment and expertise to help them realize their goals. There is a specific 
board member in our club that talks directly to a leader in the other club. It 
seems to work.       Lastly, we must not sit on the sidelines deftly approving 
of what others are doing. We need to be part of it. If there is a program that 
is working, help keep it going. 

  (My EdD. research was in this area.)
  Hope the latter helps, 
    Dr. Doug Millar EdD 
    K6JEY
 
   
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The 170,00 figure is dated January, 2016,  and is the latest available 
from the ARRL website.


http://www.arrl.org/arrl-fact-sheet

Who validated your 83.295%, Fred?

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 12/23/2019 2:47 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
It has been noted that 83.295% of people make up their own 
statistics.  Thus encouraged ...


The 2018 ARRL Annual Report says that 2018 ended with 156,899 members, 
and the somewhat-difficult-to-read little graph indicates that it fell 
for 11 of the 12 months.  2017 began at about 163,000 and fell to 
about 159,500 again in 11 of the 12 months [graph isn't well 
quantified].  It has been falling for a long time, and 170,000 is not 
an all-time high.




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Re: [Elecraft] Latest rumors on K4

[Nr4c]

The only thing to learn are the new features. Seems all the old friends from 
the K3 are also on the K4 panel, just arranged a bit differently. 

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Dec 21, 2019, at 4:04 PM, Bill Steffey  wrote:
> 
> why wait for the k4d ???  There is no waiting.
> 
> when the K4 ships,  I understand that the K4D will be shipping also...NOT THE 
> K4HD.
> 
> life is  WAY too short, so I can add the super duper front end later.
> 
> Might as well start learning the radio.
> 
> Merry Christmas & happy holidays to all
> 
> 
> bill ny9h
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Latest rumors on K4

[Nr4c]

I’ll bet the manual will be available to download soon after the first few 
radios are shipped to regular customers(not field testers). 

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Dec 21, 2019, at 4:06 PM, Scott Manthe  wrote:
> 
> A good reason for Elecraft NOT release a manual before the radio is 
> available is that there are competing companies that would love to have a 
> copy of the K4 manual before the radio is available. That would allow those 
> competitors to add features or performance enhancements to their own radios 
> before the K4's release.  Amateur radios are largely created in software 
> these days, so what once would have required a redesign of hardware, now 
> requires a rewrite of software. So releasing a manual before the radio is 
> available would be a gift to Elecraft's competition. Maybe I'm paranoid, but 
> maybe not and if Elecraft were my company, I'd keep things under wraps.
> 
> 73,
> Scott N9AA
> 
> 
> 
>> On 12/21/19 12:26 PM, stephen shearer wrote:
>> OK, January is fine as it's only 10+ days away...  AND yes, Jan 31st is only 
>> 5+ weeks.
>> (Joe, I bet as a kid you had no problem waiting for your gifts at Christmas 
>> or other big holidays...)
>> what I am waiting for is the manual.  It will/should answer many of my 
>> questions.
>> Maybe before the K4 is shipped?
>> 
>> Like, with a LAN connection on the K4 and an internal PC (of some sort) will 
>> I be able to download updates direct to the K4?
>> or, will I need a separate PC and use the USB port on K4 to do the admin 
>> "stuff" ?
>> There are plenty of single board computers that would fit the need, if 
>> required.
>> I expect to use a SBC for FT8 and JS8, as it works nice now on my KX3 w/amp 
>> (as needed).
>> 
>> 73, steve WB3LGC  (waiting for my Christmas and my birthday "gift" = K4...   
>> wife approved)
>> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[E.H. Russell]

My son teaches in China. We are in daily contact via WeChat. The medium is 
reliable and expedient, but in comparison to amateur radio the atmosphere is 
completely different. There is no sense of that realm of nature – the 
electromagnetic spectrum – and all of its interesting quirks, its foibles.

 

Being on a ham band is an adventure in a magical space, a space that was 
completely unknown until the late nineteenth century. Once it was discovered, 
the exploration began. Most of us got in on it while it was filled with 
excitement and innovation.

 

In addition to the technical aspect though, were the conversations with fellow 
hams. The comradery was like a fraternal order. We shared unique knowledge and 
experience.

 

One aspect of that experience that I enjoy the most is the way conversation is 
enmeshed in and modulated by atmospheric and ionospheric effects. I can recall 
many roundtables, where the distinctness of the personalities was uniquely 
shaded by the transmission quality of their rigs, the radiation characteristics 
of their antennas, their physical locations relative to me, and of course, band 
conditions. 

 

This mysterious aspect of radio communications has been shed by the process of 
digitalization. The internet of course has its own sort of quirks. My son and I 
have to deal with China politics and VPN shutdowns. The equipment hums, clicks, 
freezes, and crashes. But these are experienced as technical problems. There is 
no sense of the force of nature, the invisible power of electromagnetic waves.

 

Even in ham radio some of that sense is being lost. In our process of going 
digital, the immediacy of radio has been undermined by latency. Also new 
digital modes have been introduced that are beginning to approximate the 
impersonality of the internet. But to me those are not really a problem because 
the magic and mystery of radio is still alive.

 

If we can find ways to communicate that message, to instill or revive that 
sense – the miracle of radio and the wonder of our fraternity – then it can be 
restored to its former glory. For nothing has really changed. Electromagnetic 
fields are all around us. It’s just that we have begun to take it for granted.

 

So I suggest that while we work with the digital future, also to get grounded 
in the wonder that initially inspired us all: radio communication.

 

Thanks,

73 Ed w2rf

 

 

 

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of Fred Jensen
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2019 2:00 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

 

The CWops group has a program [CW of course] called "QTX" where you keep track 
of and report the number of QSO's you've had each month that lasted over 20 
mins.  There's also a mini-QTX category for >10 min QSO's.  When I first 
decided to participate, I was limited pretty much by available QSO's.  Now, I'm 
much more limited by available time to participate.  Tiny resurgence in the Art 
of the Rag Chew?

 

Competition is a motivator for many young non-hams.  #3 grandson once came in 
while I was in a CW NAQP and asked me what I was doing.  I told him it was a 
contest, and his first response was, "Cool!  How do you win?"  They all carry 
the "magic of radio" in a pocket in their cargo shorts.  What you can do with a 
ham radio that you can't do with a cell phone or iPad may be of more interest 
to them that the radio itself.

 

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW

Sparks NV DM09dn

Washoe County

 

On 12/22/2019 8:37 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one 

> communications with someone who we have never met - without the need 

> for the internet, Facebook or any other internet app.

> It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone 

> new via ham radio.

> 

> Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the 

> emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with 

> someone new to get to know something about them personally or their 

> location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that 

> element being diminished.

> 

> Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and

> 40 meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about 

> ourselves and getting the same in return.

> 

> 73,

> Don W3FPR

> 

 

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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Fred Jensen]

It has been noted that 83.295% of people make up their own statistics.  
Thus encouraged ...


The 2018 ARRL Annual Report says that 2018 ended with 156,899 members, 
and the somewhat-difficult-to-read little graph indicates that it fell 
for 11 of the 12 months.  2017 began at about 163,000 and fell to about 
159,500 again in 11 of the 12 months [graph isn't well quantified].  It 
has been falling for a long time, and 170,000 is not an all-time high.


More significant is the fraction of total licensees who are ARRL members 
[similar to market share for a business], a number that has been 
steadily dropping for some time and is somewhere in the mid-teens 
today.  It is heavily weighted toward older Extra class hams.  ARRL took 
a huge membership hit in the later 60's when its Incentive Licensing 
proposal was adopted by the FCC and General class licensee's lost big 
chunks of their spectrum.  It's been pretty much downhill ever since.


The absolute number of US licensed amateurs has trended upward over the 
years, but the fraction of the US population who are hams bounces around 
0.2% - 0.3% [it's about 0.23% right now].  I've been "in" Dayton during 
Hamvention several times, sadly at WPAFB working and not at Hara or 
Xenia, so I can't speak to attendance, but in principle, as the 
population rises, the absolute number of hams rises, and it's reasonable 
to expect attendance at large famous events to rise also.


Wayne began this thread for very good reasons.  The vast majority of new 
hams are Technicians, most of them will remain Technicians, many will 
disappear, not many will ever operate an HF transceiver or dabble in EME 
or construction or satellites, not a lot know much about our National 
Organization, and fewer will find reason to join.  There is a very 
pronounced divide and finding ways to bridge it seems like a worthwhile 
endeavor.  Might also sell a few more Elecraft radios. [:=))


73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 12/23/2019 10:21 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:

Brethren . . .

Keep in mind that while the hair gets grayer, attendance at Dayton was 
at an all-time second high last May.


According to the FCC, the number of American licensees is at an 
all-time high.


ARRL reports membership over 170,000, also an all-time high.

When those three figures start falling it will be time for pessimism.  
Until then, let's talk positive, act positive, and be positive.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


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[Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Mark Volstad]

I usually begin my ham radio talks with youth groups with a question:

"How many of you have a radio in your pocket?"

I get a room full of blank stares.

Then I ask, "How many of you have a smart phone in your pocket?"

Every hand goes up.

The discussion proceeds from there.

Mark AI4BJ
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Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[hb9cvq]

Hi All,

I use more or less happily 2 x K3S (+P3) upgraded by myself and 1x Original K3S 
(+P3). Serial No. are around 4000 , 7000 and 10400.
Recently I added YAESU FTDX101MP, impressive!
Comparing the NB and NR ( CW, SSB) in many very critical local QRM , QRN 
situations makes YAESU audio sound better and actions are often more effective 
than with K3S.
In HF mobile , low bands , have not tested the YAESU yet  .

73 Andy HB9CVQ www.qrz.com/db/hb9cvq


-Original Message
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of Wes
Sent: Montag, 23. Dezember 2019 21:11
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

I can say that I would be looking at a TS-890 on my desk if it wasn't for the 
reported abysmal NB/NR performance.  I can believe the reports because as best 
as I can determine, Kenwood used the same processing in the '890 as they did in 
the TS-870.  Before Elecraft I owned an '870 and loved everything about it 
except for the NB/NR.  I had remarked more than once that Kenwood wasted 
valuable panel space by including controls for those features.

Frankly, I'm not very satisfied with the K3/K3S NB performance either. (I 
seldom bother with NR) Twenty-one settings for hardware and 21 settings for DSP 
blanking are ridiculous. IMHO, of course.  If the K4 does significantly better 
then I'll be an optimist and buy myself one for my 79th birthday.  The bugs 
should be resolved by then.

re: Sensitivity, this is a non-issue for any decent radio built in the last 20 
years or more.

Wes  N7WS


On 12/23/2019 10:20 AM, John Stengrevics wrote:
> POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and independent 
> reviews.
>
> And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from the K3S 
> to the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).
>
> 73,
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
>> On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George  wrote:
>>
>> It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information 
>> they can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 
>> related video 'Search for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted 
>> this year'
>> > EAE%253D>
>> :
>> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFE
>> AE%253D
>>
>> Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the 
>> videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the 
>> latest video by date.
>>
>> The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes 
>> long (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton 
>> Ltd Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... there 
>> is a lot of detail in this one.
>>
>> For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare 
>> to the K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs 
>> will be similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 
>> design approach with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and 
>> superhet addition in the K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to 
>> underestimate the potential for some eye popping numbers when the 
>> K4HD module is introduced. (think Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow 
>> Spaced rankings).  However if the specs are similar to the K3S or 
>> even a little better, it's becoming more clear to me that the K4 
>> platform and it's future potential with advances and refinements in 
>> the software are where the real advantages are.  Big leaps here over 
>> the K3S.  Leaps that the K3S can simply never take do to the limited 
>> processing power.  The K3 and K4 are not even in the same league in this 
>> area.
>>
>> You also begin to see the much higher potential the K4 has as far as 
>> noise reduction / noise blanking capability due to algorithms having 
>> access to a much wider bandpass with the SDR direct sampling 
>> approach.  Just my opinion, but I suspect there will be some big 
>> improvements in these areas as compared to the K3/S line.  The speed 
>> of the processing power and access to bandwidth will allow for better 
>> noise reduction etc... plus the software improvements over time and 
>> head room for processing power sets up the K4 for some big performance leaps 
>> improvements are made in software (IMHO).
>> You can glean all of this from the videos (reading between the lines) 
>> in my opinion. i.e. Elecraft potentially adding the capability with 
>> diversity receive to do phase shifting to null out noise, similar to 
>> the capability you get with a NCC-2 box for example.  And consider 
>> the design approach to upgrade the ADC processing... the K4 seems to 
>> be setup for a long life with some interesting improvements down the 
>> road, not only with the software, but think hardware processing upgrades too.
>>
>> I can't speak for anyone else, but since the K4 has been announced I 
>> have gone through a phase of trying to convince myself that the K4 
>> isn't any better 

Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Mike Flowers]

As a fairly active VEC, I consistently see 15 - 20 candidates taking and 
passing their Tech Exams and/or upgrading their Licenses at each bi-monthly 
session. 

Many candidates are EEs or software engineers from here in Silicon Valley and 
other folks from all walks of life. 

Seeing the excitement and joy in their faces when they learn that they passed 
their exam is great.  

So from where I sit, things are looking up!

-- 73 de Mike Flowers, K6MKF, NCDXC - "It's about DX!"

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 10:19 AM, KENT TRIMBLE  wrote:
> 
> Brethren . . .
> 
> Keep in mind that while the hair gets grayer, attendance at Dayton was at an 
> all-time second high last May.
> 
> According to the FCC, the number of American licensees is at an all-time high.
> 
> ARRL reports membership over 170,000, also an all-time high.
> 
> When those three figures start falling it will be time for pessimism.  Until 
> then, let's talk positive, act positive, and be positive.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Kent  K9ZTV
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[Wes]

I can say that I would be looking at a TS-890 on my desk if it wasn't for the 
reported abysmal NB/NR performance.  I can believe the reports because as best 
as I can determine, Kenwood used the same processing in the '890 as they did in 
the TS-870.  Before Elecraft I owned an '870 and loved everything about it 
except for the NB/NR.  I had remarked more than once that Kenwood wasted 
valuable panel space by including controls for those features.


Frankly, I'm not very satisfied with the K3/K3S NB performance either. (I seldom 
bother with NR) Twenty-one settings for hardware and 21 settings for DSP 
blanking are ridiculous. IMHO, of course.  If the K4 does significantly better 
then I'll be an optimist and buy myself one for my 79th birthday.  The bugs 
should be resolved by then.


re: Sensitivity, this is a non-issue for any decent radio built in the last 20 
years or more.


Wes  N7WS


On 12/23/2019 10:20 AM, John Stengrevics wrote:

POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and independent 
reviews.

And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from the K3S to 
the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).

73,

John
WA1EAZ


On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George  wrote:

It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information they
can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 related
video 'Search
for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted this year'

:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEAE%253D

Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the
videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the
latest video by date.

The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes long
(Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton Ltd
Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... there is a lot
of detail in this one.

For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare to the
K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will be
similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design approach
with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet addition in the
K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to underestimate the potential for
some eye popping numbers when the K4HD module is introduced. (think
Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced rankings).  However if the specs
are similar to the K3S or even a little better, it's becoming more clear to
me that the K4 platform and it's future potential with advances and
refinements in the software are where the real advantages are.  Big leaps
here over the K3S.  Leaps that the K3S can simply never take do to the
limited processing power.  The K3 and K4 are not even in the same league in
this area.

You also begin to see the much higher potential the K4 has as far as noise
reduction / noise blanking capability due to algorithms having access to a
much wider bandpass with the SDR direct sampling approach.  Just my
opinion, but I suspect there will be some big improvements in these areas
as compared to the K3/S line.  The speed of the processing power and access
to bandwidth will allow for better noise reduction etc... plus the software
improvements over time and head room for processing power sets up the K4
for some big performance leaps improvements are made in software (IMHO).
You can glean all of this from the videos (reading between the lines) in my
opinion. i.e. Elecraft potentially adding the capability with diversity
receive to do phase shifting to null out noise, similar to the capability
you get with a NCC-2 box for example.  And consider the design approach to
upgrade the ADC processing... the K4 seems to be setup for a long life with
some interesting improvements down the road, not only with the software,
but think hardware processing upgrades too.

I can't speak for anyone else, but since the K4 has been announced I have
gone through a phase of trying to convince myself that the K4 isn't any
better than my K3S, so why would I consider a K4?  ($4K to $6K for a new
rig sure isn't chump change and could be spent on other station
improvements right?) As far as some of the tell-tell specs like dynamic
range blocking with strong signals near your band-pass etc... I think with
the K4HD, the specs will be similar, but overall, what is beginning to
interest me is the amazing potential the K4 design has.  We are talking
about two very different animals here. (with the same linage)

I have also spent a considerable amount of time looking at the direct
sampling competitors and as I start to dig in, I'm really seeing some
lacking features as they relate to a CW operator's rig.  I guess I'm biased
as a current Elecraft Fan-Boy / CW operator (I'll admit it), but when I
look at what I would be giving up in regard to CW operating features that
have become second nature to me, I 

Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[Gary Smith]

Ever since the 8086 XT processor where I 
could work 2 more MHz out of it, I have 
loved upgrading processors to get faster 
speeds. This being within the same family 
of processor, ones that simply drop into 
the existing socket & motherboard, some 
are much faster than others and have a 
more expansive architecture than their 
younger brother.

Perhaps that will be an option for the K4 
if the processor is socketed, say in 3-4 
years a replacement with ever greater 
speed and capabilities will come out. 
Maybe in the case of the K4 such a 
processor change would be inconsequential? 
Time will tell. 

One thing for sure, I really like the 
options for future expansion the K4 
modular system allows for.

Cheers to us all.

73,

Gary
KA1J


> John, that's the beauty of it all... you can play now (or rather in
> the near future) or you can wait and decide for yourself after all the
> 'glorious independent reviews come in' (grump around like the Grumpy
> Old K3 Grinch who stole Christmas). "When I was a young man we used a
> K3 or a K3S and by golly we loved it" You young whipper snappers
> with your new fangled K4 gizzo radios! :)  Is someone making you
> upgrade to a K4? Twisting your arm? You totally missed the point.
> 
> The K4 isn't ONLY about the receiver specs... maybe for you so you
> have no choice but to wait...  I get it...  However if that was the
> case, then you would have bought some other transceiver that has
> already exceeded some of the K3S's specs. No? The point here is that
> there is far more to the new platform than receiver specs alone and
> the potential truly leaves the exhausted K3's processing and now
> static capabilities in the dust (Elecraft is moving on whether you
> like it or not... that ship has already sailed!). Plus sensitivity is
> only as good as the noise floor your antenna system provides... I'm
> not aware of an HF antenna system that provides a ~-133dBm to -145dBm
> MDS noise floor.  So sensitivity is all relative to your antenna
> system.  Blocking dynamic range is far more important to me.  It's
> time for Elecraft to move on to a platform they can build on.  I'm
> sure many will shake their fist in the air, weep and wail and gnash
> their teeth, holding on to the K3s for years and years to come (a
> testament to K3 success), but many will be excited for what the K4
> will bring and are willing to go along for the ride right from the
> start.
> 
> You can stomp your feet and do what you like...bark at the moon and
> pound sand and continue to stick with the K3 until the end of times,
> nothing wrong with that... try to convince yourself that the creators
> of the K3 can't do any better.  I'm in the camp that they have already
> done better and I want to go along for that ride.  Doing better
> includes far more capabilities than dropping the MDS by a few dBm what
> will net nothing. Onward and upward I say... it's exciting to see that
> there is and continues to be a market to keep pushing the envelope in
> the HF transceiver market.
> 
> Max NG7M
> 
> On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 10:20 AM John Stengrevics
>  wrote:
> 
> > POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and
> > independent reviews.
> >
> > And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from
> > the K3S to the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > John
> > WA1EAZ
> >
> > > On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George
> > > 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > It's not surprising that there many looking for all the
> > > information they can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link
> > > that lists K3 related video 'Search for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date
> > > for Video posted this year' <
> > https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgF
> > EAE%253D
> > >
> > > :
> > >
> > https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgF
> > EAE%253D
> > >
> > > Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down
> > > the videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to
> > > get the latest video by date.
> > >
> > > The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38
> > > minutes long (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters &
> > > Stanton Ltd Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole
> > > video... there is a
> > lot
> > > of detail in this one.
> > >
> > > For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will
> > > compare to
> > the
> > > K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will
> > > be similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4
> > > design approach with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and
> > > superhet addition in the K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to
> > > underestimate the potential for some eye popping numbers when the
> > > K4HD module is introduced. (think Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow
> > > Spaced rankings).  However if the specs are similar to the K3S or
> > > even a little better, it's becoming more clear
> > to
> 

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop

[Buck]

The reliable place to measure the voltage at the K3x is using the supply 
voltage display meter in the radio.  I was surprised to find mine was 
significantly low.  I thought it was voltage drop but changing the 
supply cable didn't make much difference.


Turns out the Astron power supply was more than a volt low and the meter 
on the supply had been cranked up to make it appear to be correct.  I 
used two separate VOMs to set the power supply and then adjusted the 
meter to make it agree.


Moral of the story: don't rely on the meter on the power supply and 
assume a low reading at the radio is due solely to voltage drop.




Buck, k4ia
Honor Roll
8BDXCC
EasyWayHamBooks.com

On 12/23/2019 2:26 PM, Phil Kane wrote:

On 12/22/2019 9:44 AM, Bob McGraw wrote:


I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of
the radio to the ground screw on the power supply.


That's for "bonding".  Where do you pick up "ground" - at the radio, at
the PS, or at some other point?

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402

 From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop

[Phil Kane]

On 12/22/2019 9:44 AM, Bob McGraw wrote:

> I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of
> the radio to the ground screw on the power supply.

That's for "bonding".  Where do you pick up "ground" - at the radio, at
the PS, or at some other point?

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402

>From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[John Stengrevics]

Max,

Perhaps my fault for being less clear than I should have been.  

As I said to another person who replied to me, my interest is almost 
exclusively in 6 meter DX.  So, what is important to me (and perhaps not to 
that many others) is better NB particularly on EME where I am currently limited 
in the size of array I can put up (currently 9 element LFA with no elevation).  
And, more sensitivity can only help.

I am not debating at all that the new platform will have many capabilities 
beyond those of the K3S.  But, they may be less of interest to me for my 
specific needs and interests.  And, I applaud the Elecraft team for advancing 
the state of the art.  

73,

John
WA1EAZ

On Dec 23, 2019, at 1:36 PM, M. George  wrote:
> 
> John, that's the beauty of it all... you can play now (or rather in the near 
> future) or you can wait and decide for yourself after all the ‘glorious 
> independent reviews come in' (grump around like the Grumpy Old K3 Grinch who 
> stole Christmas). "When I was a young man we used a K3 or a K3S and by golly 
> we loved it" You young whipper snappers with your new fangled K4 gizzo 
> radios! :)  Is someone making you upgrade to a K4?  Twisting your arm? You 
> totally missed the point.
> 
> The K4 isn't ONLY about the receiver specs... maybe for you so you have no 
> choice but to wait...  I get it...  However if that was the case, then you 
> would have bought some other transceiver that has already exceeded some of 
> the K3S's specs. No? The point here is that there is far more to the new 
> platform than receiver specs alone and the potential truly leaves the 
> exhausted K3's processing and now static capabilities in the dust (Elecraft 
> is moving on whether you like it or not... that ship has already sailed!). 
> Plus sensitivity is only as good as the noise floor your antenna system 
> provides... I'm not aware of an HF antenna system that provides a ~-133dBm to 
> -145dBm MDS noise floor.  So sensitivity is all relative to your antenna 
> system.  Blocking dynamic range is far more important to me.  It's time for 
> Elecraft to move on to a platform they can build on.  I'm sure many will 
> shake their fist in the air, weep and wail and gnash their teeth, holding on 
> to the K3s for years and years to come (a testament to K3 success), but many 
> will be excited for what the K4 will bring and are willing to go along for 
> the ride right from the start.
> 
> You can stomp your feet and do what you like...bark at the moon and pound 
> sand and continue to stick with the K3 until the end of times, nothing wrong 
> with that... try to convince yourself that the creators of the K3 can't do 
> any better.  I'm in the camp that they have already done better and I want to 
> go along for that ride.  Doing better includes far more capabilities than 
> dropping the MDS by a few dBm what will net nothing. Onward and upward I 
> say... it's exciting to see that there is and continues to be a market to 
> keep pushing the envelope in the HF transceiver market.
> 
> Max NG7M
> 
> On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 10:20 AM John Stengrevics  > wrote:
> POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and independent 
> reviews.
> 
> And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from the K3S 
> to the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).
> 
> 73,
> 
> John
> WA1EAZ
> 
> > On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George  > > wrote:
> > 
> > It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information they
> > can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 related
> > video 'Search
> > for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted this year'
> >  >  
> > >
> > :
> > https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEAE%253D
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the
> > videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the
> > latest video by date.
> > 
> > The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes long
> > (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton Ltd
> > Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... there is a lot
> > of detail in this one.
> > 
> > For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare to the
> > K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will be
> > similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design approach
> > with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet addition in the
> > K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to underestimate the potential for
> > some eye popping numbers when the K4HD module is introduced. (think
> > Third-Order Dynamic 

Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[George Thornton]

I am a happy owner of a K3 that has been partially updated to K3s standards.

I am not a contester (other than at Field Day) and it is a big financial jump 
to go to the K4.

Since my existing equipment is working so well for me, I am not likely to move 
to the K4 unless there is some degree of enhanced performance.


-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of M. George
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2019 10:36 AM
To: John Stengrevics 
Cc: Elecraft Mailer 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

John, that's the beauty of it all... you can play now (or rather in the near 
future) or you can wait and decide for yourself after all the 'glorious 
independent reviews come in' (grump around like the Grumpy Old K3 Grinch who 
stole Christmas). "When I was a young man we used a K3 or a K3S and by golly we 
loved it" You young whipper snappers with your new fangled K4 gizzo radios! 
:)  Is someone making you upgrade to a K4?
Twisting your arm? You totally missed the point.

The K4 isn't ONLY about the receiver specs... maybe for you so you have no 
choice but to wait...  I get it...  However if that was the case, then you 
would have bought some other transceiver that has already exceeded some of the 
K3S's specs. No? The point here is that there is far more to the new platform 
than receiver specs alone and the potential truly leaves the exhausted K3's 
processing and now static capabilities in the dust (Elecraft is moving on 
whether you like it or not... that ship has already sailed!).
Plus sensitivity is only as good as the noise floor your antenna system 
provides... I'm not aware of an HF antenna system that provides a ~-133dBm to 
-145dBm MDS noise floor.  So sensitivity is all relative to your antenna 
system.  Blocking dynamic range is far more important to me.  It's time for 
Elecraft to move on to a platform they can build on.  I'm sure many will shake 
their fist in the air, weep and wail and gnash their teeth, holding on to the 
K3s for years and years to come (a testament to K3 success), but many will be 
excited for what the K4 will bring and are willing to go along for the ride 
right from the start.

You can stomp your feet and do what you like...bark at the moon and pound sand 
and continue to stick with the K3 until the end of times, nothing wrong with 
that... try to convince yourself that the creators of the K3 can't do any 
better.  I'm in the camp that they have already done better and I want to go 
along for that ride.  Doing better includes far more capabilities than dropping 
the MDS by a few dBm what will net nothing.
Onward and upward I say... it's exciting to see that there is and continues to 
be a market to keep pushing the envelope in the HF transceiver market.

Max NG7M

On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 10:20 AM John Stengrevics 
wrote:

> POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and 
> independent reviews.
>
> And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from 
> the K3S to the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).
>
> 73,
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
> > On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George 
> wrote:
> >
> > It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information 
> > they can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 
> > related video 'Search for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video 
> > posted this year'
> > <
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEA
> E%253D
> >
> > :
> >
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEA
> E%253D
> >
> > Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down 
> > the videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to 
> > get the latest video by date.
> >
> > The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes 
> > long (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton 
> > Ltd Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... 
> > there is a
> lot
> > of detail in this one.
> >
> > For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare 
> > to
> the
> > K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will 
> > be similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design 
> > approach with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet 
> > addition in the K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to 
> > underestimate the potential for some eye popping numbers when the 
> > K4HD module is introduced. (think Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow 
> > Spaced rankings).  However if the specs are similar to the K3S or 
> > even a little better, it's becoming more clear
> to
> > me that the K4 platform and it's future potential with advances and 
> > refinements in the software are where the real advantages are.  Big 
> > leaps here over the K3S.  Leaps that the K3S can simply never take 
> > do to the limited processing power.  The K3 and K4 are not even in 
> > the same league
> in
> > this area.
> >
> > You 

Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Fred Jensen]

The CWops group has a program [CW of course] called "QTX" where you keep 
track of and report the number of QSO's you've had each month that 
lasted over 20 mins.  There's also a mini-QTX category for >10 min 
QSO's.  When I first decided to participate, I was limited pretty much 
by available QSO's.  Now, I'm much more limited by available time to 
participate.  Tiny resurgence in the Art of the Rag Chew?


Competition is a motivator for many young non-hams.  #3 grandson once 
came in while I was in a CW NAQP and asked me what I was doing.  I told 
him it was a contest, and his first response was, "Cool!  How do you 
win?"  They all carry the "magic of radio" in a pocket in their cargo 
shorts.  What you can do with a ham radio that you can't do with a cell 
phone or iPad may be of more interest to them that the radio itself.


73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 12/22/2019 8:37 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one 
communications with someone who we have never met - without the need 
for the internet, Facebook or any other internet app.
It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone 
new via ham radio.


Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the 
emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with 
someone new to get to know something about them personally or their 
location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that 
element being diminished.


Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 
40 meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about 
ourselves and getting the same in return.


73,
Don W3FPR



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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Eric J]

I mean this sincerely. I'm NOT in grumpy-old-man mode, though I can do that 
very well. The majority of QSOs with new people are about as interesting, 
enduring and deep as a short chat in the checkout line at Safeway. Many aren't 
even that interesting. PSK ops just throw on a brag tape and walk away.  It's a 
pleasant few minutes, but it rarely leads to anything more. It does happen, but 
who in their right mind would spend thousands of dollars and hours on the 
outside chance it does? The opportunity for superficial chit chat with 
strangers was NEVER on my mind at 14 when I got interested in ham radio so it's 
a bit much to expect teenagers today to care about that.

Ham radio has always been chock full of quick award-qualifying or contest 
contacts. Worked All Continents, countries, states, provinces, counties, grids, 
lighthouses, summits, guys named Fred. Go back as far as you want in QST and 
it's full of honor rolls, contest results...and SKs. It's nothing new to this 
period in ham radio. But ham radio has also been full of interesting challenges 
too. It's never been a very homogeneous hobby. I have no predictions except 
things are rapidly changing and that will continue in whatever direction those 
entering the hobby take it. The Baofeng Techs will change it as much as us 
Heathkit Kids did. Change is good.

Eric KE6US

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Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[M. George]

John, that's the beauty of it all... you can play now (or rather in the
near future) or you can wait and decide for yourself after all the
'glorious independent reviews come in' (grump around like the Grumpy Old K3
Grinch who stole Christmas). "When I was a young man we used a K3 or a K3S
and by golly we loved it" You young whipper snappers with your new
fangled K4 gizzo radios! :)  Is someone making you upgrade to a K4?
Twisting your arm? You totally missed the point.

The K4 isn't ONLY about the receiver specs... maybe for you so you have no
choice but to wait...  I get it...  However if that was the case, then you
would have bought some other transceiver that has already exceeded some of
the K3S's specs. No? The point here is that there is far more to the new
platform than receiver specs alone and the potential truly leaves the
exhausted K3's processing and now static capabilities in the dust (Elecraft
is moving on whether you like it or not... that ship has already sailed!).
Plus sensitivity is only as good as the noise floor your antenna system
provides... I'm not aware of an HF antenna system that provides a ~-133dBm
to -145dBm MDS noise floor.  So sensitivity is all relative to your antenna
system.  Blocking dynamic range is far more important to me.  It's time for
Elecraft to move on to a platform they can build on.  I'm sure many will
shake their fist in the air, weep and wail and gnash their teeth, holding
on to the K3s for years and years to come (a testament to K3 success), but
many will be excited for what the K4 will bring and are willing to go along
for the ride right from the start.

You can stomp your feet and do what you like...bark at the moon and pound
sand and continue to stick with the K3 until the end of times, nothing
wrong with that... try to convince yourself that the creators of the K3
can't do any better.  I'm in the camp that they have already done better
and I want to go along for that ride.  Doing better includes far more
capabilities than dropping the MDS by a few dBm what will net nothing.
Onward and upward I say... it's exciting to see that there is and continues
to be a market to keep pushing the envelope in the HF transceiver market.

Max NG7M

On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 10:20 AM John Stengrevics 
wrote:

> POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and independent
> reviews.
>
> And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from the
> K3S to the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).
>
> 73,
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
> > On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George 
> wrote:
> >
> > It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information they
> > can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 related
> > video 'Search
> > for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted this year'
> > <
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEAE%253D
> >
> > :
> >
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEAE%253D
> >
> > Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the
> > videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the
> > latest video by date.
> >
> > The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes long
> > (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton Ltd
> > Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... there is a
> lot
> > of detail in this one.
> >
> > For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare to
> the
> > K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will be
> > similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design approach
> > with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet addition in the
> > K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to underestimate the potential for
> > some eye popping numbers when the K4HD module is introduced. (think
> > Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced rankings).  However if the specs
> > are similar to the K3S or even a little better, it's becoming more clear
> to
> > me that the K4 platform and it's future potential with advances and
> > refinements in the software are where the real advantages are.  Big leaps
> > here over the K3S.  Leaps that the K3S can simply never take do to the
> > limited processing power.  The K3 and K4 are not even in the same league
> in
> > this area.
> >
> > You also begin to see the much higher potential the K4 has as far as
> noise
> > reduction / noise blanking capability due to algorithms having access to
> a
> > much wider bandpass with the SDR direct sampling approach.  Just my
> > opinion, but I suspect there will be some big improvements in these areas
> > as compared to the K3/S line.  The speed of the processing power and
> access
> > to bandwidth will allow for better noise reduction etc... plus the
> software
> > improvements over time and head room for processing power sets up the K4
> > for some big performance leaps improvements are made in software 

Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Brethren . . .

Keep in mind that while the hair gets grayer, attendance at Dayton was 
at an all-time second high last May.


According to the FCC, the number of American licensees is at an all-time 
high.


ARRL reports membership over 170,000, also an all-time high.

When those three figures start falling it will be time for pessimism.  
Until then, let's talk positive, act positive, and be positive.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV
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Re: [Elecraft] Receiving Stations Sound Like Inside a Barrel (WU6R/Mark Wheeler)

[g0cut1 via Elecraft]

Or turned ago off


Sent from Samsung Mobile

 Original message From: David Gilbert 
 Date:23/12/2019  7:56 AM  (GMT+00:00) 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 
Receiving Stations Sound Like Inside a Barrel
  (WU6R/Mark Wheeler) 

$10 says you have Shift moved off center.

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 12/22/2019 11:50 AM, Mark Wheeler via Elecraft wrote:
> I turned on the K3s today and very contact on all bands (3.5MHz, 7MHz 
> and 14 MHz sounds like everyone is talking inside a barrel.  I figured 
> my filters need to be adjusted, but after referring to the manual and 
> making some filer and DSP adjustments, no improvements.  I also 
> adjusted NB and NR settings to no avail.
>
>
> Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong are appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Mark/WU6R

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Re: [Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[John Stengrevics]

POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and independent 
reviews.

And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from the K3S to 
the K4 (along with improved sensitivity).

73,

John
WA1EAZ

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George  wrote:
> 
> It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information they
> can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 related
> video 'Search
> for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted this year'
> 
> :
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEAE%253D
> 
> Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the
> videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the
> latest video by date.
> 
> The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes long
> (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton Ltd
> Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... there is a lot
> of detail in this one.
> 
> For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare to the
> K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will be
> similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design approach
> with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet addition in the
> K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to underestimate the potential for
> some eye popping numbers when the K4HD module is introduced. (think
> Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced rankings).  However if the specs
> are similar to the K3S or even a little better, it's becoming more clear to
> me that the K4 platform and it's future potential with advances and
> refinements in the software are where the real advantages are.  Big leaps
> here over the K3S.  Leaps that the K3S can simply never take do to the
> limited processing power.  The K3 and K4 are not even in the same league in
> this area.
> 
> You also begin to see the much higher potential the K4 has as far as noise
> reduction / noise blanking capability due to algorithms having access to a
> much wider bandpass with the SDR direct sampling approach.  Just my
> opinion, but I suspect there will be some big improvements in these areas
> as compared to the K3/S line.  The speed of the processing power and access
> to bandwidth will allow for better noise reduction etc... plus the software
> improvements over time and head room for processing power sets up the K4
> for some big performance leaps improvements are made in software (IMHO).
> You can glean all of this from the videos (reading between the lines) in my
> opinion. i.e. Elecraft potentially adding the capability with diversity
> receive to do phase shifting to null out noise, similar to the capability
> you get with a NCC-2 box for example.  And consider the design approach to
> upgrade the ADC processing... the K4 seems to be setup for a long life with
> some interesting improvements down the road, not only with the software,
> but think hardware processing upgrades too.
> 
> I can't speak for anyone else, but since the K4 has been announced I have
> gone through a phase of trying to convince myself that the K4 isn't any
> better than my K3S, so why would I consider a K4?  ($4K to $6K for a new
> rig sure isn't chump change and could be spent on other station
> improvements right?) As far as some of the tell-tell specs like dynamic
> range blocking with strong signals near your band-pass etc... I think with
> the K4HD, the specs will be similar, but overall, what is beginning to
> interest me is the amazing potential the K4 design has.  We are talking
> about two very different animals here. (with the same linage)
> 
> I have also spent a considerable amount of time looking at the direct
> sampling competitors and as I start to dig in, I'm really seeing some
> lacking features as they relate to a CW operator's rig.  I guess I'm biased
> as a current Elecraft Fan-Boy / CW operator (I'll admit it), but when I
> look at what I would be giving up in regard to CW operating features that
> have become second nature to me, I think I would be very disappointed. If
> you spend some time in the competitors user groups you will understand what
> I'm talking about, but that's just me.  Owners in these other groups have
> been begging for some common CW features that never seem to materialize.
> However competition is good and it's great to have options.  You can't go
> too wrong with any of the high end rigs these days, including any of the
> direct sampling designs that are shipping now.
> 
> So to end this tome of a post... if I had to place an order today for a new
> rig, it would be a an order for a K4.  Wink / wink, maybe I already did.
> ;)  And if I did, I'm happy to wait X number of months for the K4 to emerge
> only when it is ready for prime time.  My trusty K3S at my side as I type
> away at the keyboard here will make the wait 

Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft's market

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Of all the radios I’ve purchased over the years, CW performance is a key 
element in the decision.  I’m not a DX chaser, I’m not a contest operator, nor 
a high speed operator.   There is nothing like sending and receiving good 
quality CW.  Granted my fist needs improvement but what skill I have I do not 
want it deteriorated by a poor quality radio in this regard.

Elecraft and one other US brand always has measured up to my requirements for 
performance radios. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 4:35 AM, Steven G. Steltzer  wrote:
> 
> I understand that CW ops are not the largest part of the market, but there 
> are still a very significant number of us, especially world wide. Just tune 
> across the bands on a major CW contest weekend. As long as Elecraft continues 
> to make CW as important as SSB and digital modes in their design philosophy, 
> in contrast to other manufacturers who are still using mechanical relays for 
> T/R switching for example, they will continue to own the lion's share of that 
> segment.
> 
> Thanks Wayne, Eric, and all for the great QRQ/QSK equipment.
> 
> Merry Christmas!
> Steve, WF3T
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> 


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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Ken G Kopp]

Well said, Don ...

73

K0PP

On Sun, Dec 22, 2019, 21:37 Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one
> communications with someone who we have never met - without the need for
> the internet, Facebook or any other internet app.
> It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone new
> via ham radio.
>
> Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the
> emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with
> someone new to get to know something about them personally or their
> location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that
> element being diminished.
>
> Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 40
> meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about
> ourselves and getting the same in return.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/22/2019 11:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
> >
> > I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young
> > people with a technological inclination are far more likely to be
> > interested in software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has
> > more relevance to advancing the world and actually leading to a job.  It
> > might be a challenge to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people
> > were doing that 100 years ago.
> >
> > 73,
> > Dave   AB7E
> >
> >
> > On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
> >> There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away
> >> places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For
> >> myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me
> >> it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the
> >> proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying
> >> this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many
> >> traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions
> >> [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus
> >> guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the
> >> earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a
> >> signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the
> >> ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge.
> >> Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric
> >> challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical
> >> challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges.
> >> Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery.
> >>
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Wayne Burdick]

We've been mining this thread for gems, of which there are many. Thanks to all 
who have contributed pragmatic observations, bold suggestions, and wistful 
memories. 

Happy holidays to all.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Dec 23, 2019, at 7:12 AM, Bill Johnson  wrote:
> 
> Well put.  Totally agree.
> 
> Bill
> 920-421-1172
> 
> 
> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on 
> behalf of Don Wilhelm 
> Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2019 10:37:15 PM
> To: David Gilbert ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
> 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
> 
> I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one
> communications with someone who we have never met - without the need for
> the internet, Facebook or any other internet app.
> It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone new
> via ham radio.
> 
> Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the
> emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with
> someone new to get to know something about them personally or their
> location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that
> element being diminished.
> 
> Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 40
> meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about
> ourselves and getting the same in return.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> On 12/22/2019 11:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>> 
>> I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young
>> people with a technological inclination are far more likely to be
>> interested in software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has
>> more relevance to advancing the world and actually leading to a job.  It
>> might be a challenge to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people
>> were doing that 100 years ago.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Dave   AB7E
>> 
>> 
>> On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
>>> There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away
>>> places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For
>>> myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me
>>> it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the
>>> proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying
>>> this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many
>>> traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions
>>> [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus
>>> guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the
>>> earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a
>>> signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the
>>> ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge.
>>> Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric
>>> challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical
>>> challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges.
>>> Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery.
>>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Phil Hystad via Elecraft]

From what I have seen, it is not just Internet and Cellular that has stolen 
some thunder from ham radio as an interesting hobby to pursue.  It is also 
computer gaming.  Both of my grandsons are into computer games (both in high 
school now) and both are involved in programming computers (some motivation 
from me as being a programmer for 50+ years) and they both want to pursue 
computer programming of games.  I hope that changes but this has seriously 
diminished any interest in ham radio and they both have grown up known about my 
hobby, electronics, and such.

Computer Internet gaming offers some of the same features of ham radio of 
meeting people all over the world that you did not know before hand.  Gaming is 
one of the Internet based activities that creates International friendships and 
cross culture exchanges.  Surprising, who would have thought.

I admit that if I were a kid growing up with today’s technology that I probably 
would not be interested in ham radio.

73, phil, K7PEH


> On Dec 22, 2019, at 8:37 PM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:
> 
> I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one 
> communications with someone who we have never met - without the need for the 
> internet, Facebook or any other internet app.
> It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone new via 
> ham radio.
> 
> Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the emphasis on 
> quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with someone new to get to 
> know something about them personally or their location is what gives me the 
> thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that element being diminished.
> 
> Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 40 
> meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about ourselves 
> and getting the same in return.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> On 12/22/2019 11:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>> I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young people 
>> with a technological inclination are far more likely to be interested in 
>> software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has more relevance to 
>> advancing the world and actually leading to a job.  It might be a challenge 
>> to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people were doing that 100 years 
>> ago.
>> 73,
>> Dave   AB7E
>> On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
>>> There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away places." No 
>>> doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For myself, I was never 
>>> particularly interested in "communicating." For me it was mastery of a 
>>> technical environment. Communicating was just the proof that the 
>>> environment had been mastered. Another way of saying this -maybe- is 
>>> technology versus sociology. There are many traditional activities that 
>>> have been replaced by more modern versions [eg, horses versus cars, walking 
>>> versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus guns]. Yet, there is still interest in 
>>> the "old way," because the earlier challenges remain in spite of more 
>>> modern solutions. Getting a signal from my radio, out into the ether, 
>>> bouncing it off the ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a 
>>> challenge. Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric 
>>> challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical challenges of 
>>> the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges. Communicating may 
>>> be the benny on the other side of mastery.
>>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Bill Johnson]

Well put.  Totally agree.

Bill
920-421-1172


From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on 
behalf of Don Wilhelm 
Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2019 10:37:15 PM
To: David Gilbert ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net 

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one
communications with someone who we have never met - without the need for
the internet, Facebook or any other internet app.
It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone new
via ham radio.

Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the
emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with
someone new to get to know something about them personally or their
location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that
element being diminished.

Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 40
meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about
ourselves and getting the same in return.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/22/2019 11:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>
> I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young
> people with a technological inclination are far more likely to be
> interested in software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has
> more relevance to advancing the world and actually leading to a job.  It
> might be a challenge to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people
> were doing that 100 years ago.
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
> On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
>> There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away
>> places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For
>> myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me
>> it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the
>> proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying
>> this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many
>> traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions
>> [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus
>> guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the
>> earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a
>> signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the
>> ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge.
>> Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric
>> challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical
>> challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges.
>> Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery.
>>
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[Elecraft] K4 YouTube Video List by Date

[M. George]

It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information they
can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 related
video 'Search
for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted this year'

:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4=CAISBAgFEAE%253D

Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the
videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the
latest video by date.

The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes long
(Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton Ltd
Portsmouth UK).  Take the time and watch the whole video... there is a lot
of detail in this one.

For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare to the
K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will be
similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design approach
with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet addition in the
K4HD.  At the same time, I'm not going to underestimate the potential for
some eye popping numbers when the K4HD module is introduced. (think
Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced rankings).  However if the specs
are similar to the K3S or even a little better, it's becoming more clear to
me that the K4 platform and it's future potential with advances and
refinements in the software are where the real advantages are.  Big leaps
here over the K3S.  Leaps that the K3S can simply never take do to the
limited processing power.  The K3 and K4 are not even in the same league in
this area.

You also begin to see the much higher potential the K4 has as far as noise
reduction / noise blanking capability due to algorithms having access to a
much wider bandpass with the SDR direct sampling approach.  Just my
opinion, but I suspect there will be some big improvements in these areas
as compared to the K3/S line.  The speed of the processing power and access
to bandwidth will allow for better noise reduction etc... plus the software
improvements over time and head room for processing power sets up the K4
for some big performance leaps improvements are made in software (IMHO).
You can glean all of this from the videos (reading between the lines) in my
opinion. i.e. Elecraft potentially adding the capability with diversity
receive to do phase shifting to null out noise, similar to the capability
you get with a NCC-2 box for example.  And consider the design approach to
upgrade the ADC processing... the K4 seems to be setup for a long life with
some interesting improvements down the road, not only with the software,
but think hardware processing upgrades too.

I can't speak for anyone else, but since the K4 has been announced I have
gone through a phase of trying to convince myself that the K4 isn't any
better than my K3S, so why would I consider a K4?  ($4K to $6K for a new
rig sure isn't chump change and could be spent on other station
improvements right?) As far as some of the tell-tell specs like dynamic
range blocking with strong signals near your band-pass etc... I think with
the K4HD, the specs will be similar, but overall, what is beginning to
interest me is the amazing potential the K4 design has.  We are talking
about two very different animals here. (with the same linage)

I have also spent a considerable amount of time looking at the direct
sampling competitors and as I start to dig in, I'm really seeing some
lacking features as they relate to a CW operator's rig.  I guess I'm biased
as a current Elecraft Fan-Boy / CW operator (I'll admit it), but when I
look at what I would be giving up in regard to CW operating features that
have become second nature to me, I think I would be very disappointed. If
you spend some time in the competitors user groups you will understand what
I'm talking about, but that's just me.  Owners in these other groups have
been begging for some common CW features that never seem to materialize.
However competition is good and it's great to have options.  You can't go
too wrong with any of the high end rigs these days, including any of the
direct sampling designs that are shipping now.

So to end this tome of a post... if I had to place an order today for a new
rig, it would be a an order for a K4.  Wink / wink, maybe I already did.
;)  And if I did, I'm happy to wait X number of months for the K4 to emerge
only when it is ready for prime time.  My trusty K3S at my side as I type
away at the keyboard here will make the wait easy.  Take your time Elecraft.

Max NG7M



-- 
M. George
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[Elecraft] Spare K3 Parts For Sale

[ockmrzr]

If anyone is looking for last minute Christmas gifts, I have some!

 

I upgraded of my two K3's recently and have left over parts..

 

If you have a legacy K3, and are interested in having some spares, here's
your chance.

 

1x - KIO3A (3 board set) I/O interface

1x - KXV3A Transverter Interface

4x - KSYN3 synthesizer module

 

If interested, let me know via direct email.

 

"Let's Make a Deal"

 

73 de Bruce, N7TY

Yuma, AZ

www.qsl.net/n7ty  

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Re: [Elecraft] NB/NR for K4 vs K4D

[John Stengrevics]

And, versus the K3S.

73,

John
WA1EAZ

> On Dec 22, 2019, at 11:38 PM, Drew AF2Z  wrote:
> 
> I'm not overly anxious about the K4 initial release date because I'll be 
> waiting for the kit version. But in choosing between a K4 and K4D I'm 
> wondering how much performance difference there is in NB/NR for the two 
> models. It could be significant, no?
> 
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
> 
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[Elecraft] Elecraft's market

[Steven G. Steltzer]

I understand that CW ops are not the largest part of the market, but there are 
still a very significant number of us, especially world wide. Just tune across 
the bands on a major CW contest weekend. As long as Elecraft continues to make 
CW as important as SSB and digital modes in their design philosophy, in 
contrast to other manufacturers who are still using mechanical relays for T/R 
switching for example, they will continue to own the lion's share of that 
segment. 

Thanks Wayne, Eric, and all for the great QRQ/QSK equipment.

Merry Christmas!
Steve, WF3T
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