>Interesting info.



>This afternoon at the DX Convention in Visalia, CA, we unveiled a new
>top-of-the-line transceiver -- the Elecraft K3. This is the culmination
>of three years of design, test, and refinement, and we believe the K3
>will set a new standard for performance and value in its class. It has
>features and performance comparable to present radios ranging from
>$4000 to $12000.
>
>(We'd like to thank the many surprised convention attendees. What they
>all said boils down to something like "Yes!")
>
>A full K3 web page will be set up by Monday, complete with order form
>and other details. Meanwhile, please take a look at the temporary page:
>
>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3
>
>Among other things, you'll find a very high-resolution front panel
>photo (as well as other photos):
>
>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3_big_v2.jpg
>
>And the K3 data sheet:
>
>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3_Data%20Sheet_rev06.pdf
>
>There's also an order form that could be printed and mailed, but
>sometime on Monday the on-line order page will be up and running, which
>is the preferred method.
>
>As explained on the order form, you can reserve a K3 now for initial
>shipments in July. A 50% deposit is requested if you'd like to secure
>one of the first 200 production units (serial numbers 20-220,
>probably).
>
>Here's a quick summary of the K3's specs:
>
>   - K3/100 and K3/10 models (the K3/10 can be upgraded very easily,
>internally, to a K3/100)
>
>   - Basic K3 price ranges from $1399 to $1989 depending on whether you
>start with the
>     10-watt or 100-watt model, and whether you choose factory assembled
>or
>     modular, no-soldering, kit (this is the subject of the next email).
>
>   - Desktop/portable size:  4"H x 10"W x 10"D (10 x 25 x 25 cm) -- 
> optimized for both
>     home and travel use
>
>   - All modes (SSB, CW, DATA, AM, FM, plus AM-sync receive, and
>built-in PSK31/TTY decoder)
>
>   - High-dynamic range, down-conversion architecture, plus 32-bit I.F.
>DSP
>     for software-defined capabilities (and lots of room for future
>expansion)
>
>   - Optional subreceiver with *identical* performance to the main
>receiver,
>     including a fully independent front end, its own set of roofing
>filters,
>     its own DSP, and low-noise synthesizer; binaural or combined
>receiver audio
>
>   - Up to five crystal roofing filters *per receiver*, with bandwidths
>as narrow as 200 Hz
>
>   - Narrow ham-band filtering, plus optional general-coverage receive
>filters
>     (can be added to either or both receivers)
>
>   - Internal 100-W ATU option with two antenna jacks
>
>   - 100 W PA module includes two large fans, circuit breaker, full
>parameter monitoring
>
>   - All signal sources phase-locked to common 49.380 MHz reference
>oscillator;
>     1 PPM TCXO option, firmware-correctable to better than 0.5 PPM
>
>   - Built-in PSK31, RTTY, and CW decoding and display allows use of
>     digital modes with or *without* a computer; use CW keyer paddle or
>     attached computer for casual, two-way data QSOs
>
>   - Advanced noise reduction; auto- and manual notch. Noise blanker
>included (both
>     I.F. hardware pulse blanker and DSP noise blanking)
>
>   - Easy-to-use DSP shift/width and locut/hicut controls with automatic
>crystal filter
>     selection based on selected passband width (in real-time -- no
>filter calculation delays)
>
>   - Dedicated CW/voice message buttons; optional digital voice recorder
>
>   - 100 general frequency memories with alphanumeric text labeling,
>plus 4 scratchpad memories per band
>
>   - Full-custom, optimized, segmented LCD with two VFO displays,
>alphanumeric text, and
>     dedicated filter passband graphic
>
>   - Rich I/O set: stereo speaker outputs, fully isolated soundcard
>interface, dedicated RS-232
>     I/O (and optional USB adapter), receive antenna in/out jacks (for
>patching in RX filters, etc.),
>     and both front- and rear-panel mic and headphone jacks
>
>   - One-click PC firmware download program checks for updates
>automatically and quickly
>     updates microcontroller and DSP firmware
>
>If you have any questions on specifications, performance, etc., that
>are not answered by the data sheet, feel free to email
>[log in to unmask]
>
>Sales questions should go to Lisa:
>
>   [log in to unmask]
>
>We'd like to acknowledge the hard work of the following colleagues:
>
>   Lyle Johnson, KK7P (DSP, digital I/O, audio I/O, many of the PC
>boards, and countless critical tasks)
>   Bob Friess, N6CM (RF deck, ATU, high-performance 1st mixer, noise
>blanker, other receiver design)
>   John Grebenkemper, KI6WX (synthesizer, general receiver architecture)
>   Brian Broggie, W6FVI (manufacturing engineering -- say hi to him at
>Visalia tomorrow)
>   Paul Russell (purchasing)
>   Lisa Jones (who somehow held down the fort during the entire process)
>
>Eric (WA6HHQ), as usual, applied pressure in all the right places to
>ensure that this would be the best radio we could make: he's Mr.
>Performance and Features. Wayne (N6KR -- yours truly) was the principle
>designer, and also got to do all the fun parts (packaging, firmware,
>and Owner's manual). And that's why he gets to answer your questions
>:)
>
>We'd also like to express our thanks to our very patient 15-member
>focus group. Over a period of about a year, they endured a never-ending
>series of concept drawings, refinements, and feature discussions.
>They're a distinguished bunch! I'm sure you'll hear from some of them
>as the K3 is discussed at length.
>
>Finally: thanks to all of you who have generously contributed ideas for
>a hypothetical K3 during our many on-line "fishing expeditions." You
>had wonderful input, and I hope we've created the radio you've always
>wanted.
>
>73,
>Wayne, N6KR
>Eric, WA6HHQ
>
>
>---
>
>http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 6
>Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 23:42:18 -0700
>From: wayne burdick <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: [Elecraft] A few words about the Elecraft K3 modular,
>no-soldering kit
>To: Elecraft Reflector <[log in to unmask]>
>Cc: QRP-L <[log in to unmask]>
>Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>
>The K3 is a modern, high-performance radio with many features never
>seen in this size or price class. Of necessity, about 60% of the
>components are surface mount (SMD).
>
>In order to ensure consistency in performance at this level of
>integration, we must 100% test all of these surface-mount components
>after installation. But such testing is very difficult unless *all* of
>the components and connectors are present at manufacturing test time.
>So, we elected to create a modular, no-soldering kit: all of the
>modules are pre-assembled and pre-tested. By implication, all toroids
>are pre-wound, too  :)
>
>By pre-testing the modules, we can guarantee that any K3 -- whether
>purchased factory assembled or built as a kit -- will have identical
>performance.
>
>Modular kit builders will find the K3 very easy to build, yet not
>without effort: there are over 100 individual pieces of hardware, many
>modules, sheet metal panels, bezels, knobs, etc. The builder will also
>perform a number of firmware-assisted alignment steps. The assembly
>manual will serve as an RF theory tutorial, so that you'll learn a lot
>about how the radio works. Builders will, we hope, have a deeper
>understanding of the K3. And they'll save a significant amount of money
>in the process.
>
>We will continue to offer all of our present traditional kits, and will
>have new full kits in the future. We hope that first-time builders who
>tackle the K3 will also try their hand at soldering, building, and
>experimentation. We hope to offer some SMD-based kits in the future
>where the builder gets to install all of the parts -- but it probably
>won't be anything at the level of the K3.
>
>Please send any comments or suggestions regarding the K3 kit philosophy
>to [log in to unmask] (or [log in to unmask]).
>
>Of course this is also a potentially lively topic for the reflector. We
>welcome your views.
>
>73,
>Wayne, N6KR
>Eric, WA6HHQ
>
>
>---
>
>
>
>
>--
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