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Author Topic: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?  (Read 642 times)

KN0V

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I am settling in on a new HF rig to replace my current radio, a Ten-Tec Eagle. Good solid radio, but it's time to move on. I've settled on an IC-7610 but am also interested in a K4 or an Apache-Labs Andromeda. Any K4 or Andromeda customers out there that can provide constructive input? Not interested in TS-590SG, etc. Also have 6400M in the back of my mind. Tks - KN0V
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KF5LJW

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2021, 08:54:44 AM »

Sorry cannot help you much other than to say try asking on QRZ.com. You will not get much help here, just lip service from half dozen regulars.
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AC7CW

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2021, 11:39:23 AM »

The groups.io lists provide a lot of user-generated info.
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KC0W

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2021, 04:37:36 PM »

 Expected delivery date of the K4 is now June of 2026  :)

    Tom KH0/KC0W
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VK6HP

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2021, 12:10:25 AM »

Latest Elecraft K4 status from their site:

K4 Update 4/25/2021

We are working hard getting your K4's out the door and we have just finished shipping our Group 1 orders from May 16th, which was 1 day before the 2019 Dayton Hamvention opened. We are now shipping from the May 17th group 1 orders.

We had a huge surge of orders on May 17th from both Dayton, on-line and telephone orders. We expect it will take us approximately 4-6 weeks to ship these orders. After that you will start to see the the order date that we are shipping change much more quickly.

You can see regular K4 shipping updates on our Shipping Status page.
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K7JQ

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2021, 07:03:17 AM »

Latest Elecraft K4 status from their site:

K4 Update 4/25/2021

We are working hard getting your K4's out the door and we have just finished shipping our Group 1 orders from May 16th, which was 1 day before the 2019 Dayton Hamvention opened. We are now shipping from the May 17th group 1 orders.

We had a huge surge of orders on May 17th from both Dayton, on-line and telephone orders. We expect it will take us approximately 4-6 weeks to ship these orders. After that you will start to see the the order date that we are shipping change much more quickly.

You can see regular K4 shipping updates on our Shipping Status page.


It's been two weeks since the 4/25/21 update that says their Group 1 orders have been shipped. I'd think you'd be seeing some reviews posted online by now, but on eham only two...from authorized Elecraft "field testers" that have had them for a while. Not the average ham that plunked down sizable deposits two years ago (interest-free loans to Elecraft). You have to cut them some slack due to the pandemic, but what about the year of promises before the pandemic?

Final prices have been posted: Basic K4...$4,199; K4D...$4,999; K4HD...TBD. Antenna tuner is optional on all models...$399.

I'm sure it's a quality, sophisticated product. But it seems that the K4D is similar to the Icom IC-7610 that has gained praise from contesters and DXers over the years. The K4D, including ATU, is $2,400 more than the 7610. Is the performance worth that much more than the 7610? I guess time will tell when the reviews start flowing, whenever that is.

Bob K7JQ
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AC7CW

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2021, 08:42:52 AM »

Pandemic and semiconductor shortages are cited by Elecraft as reasons for delays but it might also be that they have a very complex product relative to previous efforts. I set out more than a year ago to write some software projecting two weeks to completion. It led to questions that led to more software that led to questions and I'm just now getting to the end of it and that's working a few hours six days a week...
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K7JQ

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2021, 11:14:25 AM »

Pandemic and semiconductor shortages are cited by Elecraft as reasons for delays but it might also be that they have a very complex product relative to previous efforts. I set out more than a year ago to write some software projecting two weeks to completion. It led to questions that led to more software that led to questions and I'm just now getting to the end of it and that's working a few hours six days a week...

All well and good, but are they pricing themselves out of the market, being late to the party with the latest SDR technology? I'm sure the die-hard Elecraft users will patronize them, but what about other comparison shoppers that raise their eyebrows at the huge price difference for the *perceived* functionality? I know many Elecraft hard-core contesters that are going to stick with their current K3/K3S's and P3's.
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KX2T

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2021, 11:16:09 AM »

Consider the IC7610 at $3k with two RX/two band pass filter networks and two digi select front end filters then the FTDX101MP which is just over $4K 200W radio with two RX, two band pass filter networks and two VCT tunable front end filter networks I would have to ask myself why in the world I would want a K4 or any of the offered versions for soo much more money? Plus almost out of the box they will have firmware updates up the wazo!
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W2BLC

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2021, 06:10:05 AM »

I replaced my K3 (with most updates) with an IC-7300 and never looked back. A few weeks ago I added an IC-7610 to the lineup and it is, without a doubt, the best rig I have owned in over 60 years on the air. I considered the K4 at one time, but decided against it for various reasons: serious production delays, potential for continued updates, unknown real-time performance, and the price.

On a serious note: I could have easily stopped at the IC-7300. It is an amazing rig and will not disappoint. The under $1000 price on the street makes it the best value in new ham rigs out there.
 
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K1VSK

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2021, 08:58:03 AM »

I replaced my K3 (with most updates) with an IC-7300 and never looked back.
Frame of reference question -

Do you work much DX or operate on CW?
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WB8VLC

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2021, 10:29:20 AM »

I tried an IC7300 for a week back in 2017 but the noise reduction and selectivity were nowhere what I needed for my weak CW and weak SSB use so I went to a K3S and never regretted it.

The K3S is much better than the basic or even upgraded K3, the tx and rx equalizer are very good for SSB and the CW is second to none as is the dynamic range compared to the IC7300 that I had for a week.

Almost daily I am working Japan the south pacific and even some Africans last year and this year on 10 cw and SSB from my black hole in Northwest oregon so I'm very pleased with the K3S.

I hate spectrum displays so I don't have the P3 on my K3s a so the K4 line is of no interest to me plus when I bought my K3S I got in on a summer deal and saved 500 bucks which was a plus for my cheap Arse.

As to spectrum displays, with me I find that with the dang spectrum display running that  I am jumping around the band too much having to see who that big signal is that just came up adjacent to where I am tuned and I was getting to much sensory overload.

With just basic tuning of the dial looking to find contacts randomly I find that I am really enjoying the radio alot.
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K7JQ

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #12 on: May 12, 2021, 11:29:27 AM »


I tried an IC7300 for a week back in 2017 but the noise reduction and selectivity were nowhere what I needed for my weak CW and weak SSB use so I went to a K3S and never regretted it.


Well, I should hope you didn't regret it ;). I get a chuckle out of people that rationalize the justification for spending 4 to 5 times more for one radio over another.
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K7JQ

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2021, 05:32:26 PM »

I replaced my K3 (with most updates) with an IC-7300 and never looked back.
Frame of reference question -

Do you work much DX or operate on CW?

Don,

Have you ever operated a IC-7300?

Bob K7JQ
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K1VSK

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Re: Any Elecraft K4 and/or Apache-Labs Andromeda users out there?
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2021, 07:57:05 AM »

I replaced my K3 (with most updates) with an IC-7300 and never looked back.
Frame of reference question -

Do you work much DX or operate on CW?

Don,

Have you ever operated a IC-7300?

Bob K7JQ

Yea, I bought one about 1year ago given the price. Didn’t last long. Seemed decent for SSB but completely inadequate for CW which is my primary mode. Whereas the 7300 is a great starter radio, it wasn’t designed to be a CW rig which  I suspect you already know. If I operated only SSB or digital modes, the 7300 would serve that limited purpose well in my opinion.
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