I have been reading this reflector since long before the K3, and I've come to the conclusion that the problem isn't the manual. It is the need for a more basic understanding of the technical concepts involved in amateur radio. Many new hams (and old ones) simply don't understand the basics, so no wonder they aren't sure how to set up the K3!
The present Elecraft manual is a good reference (with perhaps a few additions for new features). I wouldn't advise changing it in concept. Maybe what's needed is an additional book, a much longer, discursive volume: "Amateur radio and the Elecraft K3". It would have chapters on subjects like AGC, SSB, digital modes, etc. The chapter on AGC would begin with an explanation of the function of AGC, the different parameters that define it and what are the effects of changing them. Then it would describe how to adjust them on the K3. The SSB chapter would explain the basics of an SSB signal, and how it's generated and amplified. It would explain what compression and equalization are, and how they affect the way the signal sounds and how effective it is for communication. Finally it would tell the reader how to set up the K3 for SSB. I think such a book would require a few hundred pages. A person could read the chapters that are relevant to a particular task independently, or he could read the whole book and skim over the K3-specific details. You wouldn't need to have a K3 to benefit from this. The treatment would have to be as down-to-earth, practical and non-mathematical as possible. I don't know if Elecraft should publish this book or someone else. It is possible to publish a book with little or no upfront cost and have it available electronically or even on paper on demand (see <http://www.amazon.com/Publishing-Money-home-page/b?ie=UTF8&node=15347561> for example). Elecraft wouldn't be expected to subsidize it, but of course they would need to invest some time in making sure the K3-related stuff was correct. It could be a joint effort, with various people writing chapters about subjects that they are interested in. There would need to be a primary writer/coordinator to pull it all together. I am not volunteering for this since I still have a full-time job. But I would write a chapter or two. On 5/16/2011 10:42 PM, Gary Gregory wrote: > Wayne > > Sounds like a job I DON'T want to volunteer for..:-) > > 73's > Gary > > On 17 May 2011 13:35, Wayne Burdick<n...@elecraft.com> wrote: > >> Don Cunningham wrote: >> >>> We were PROMISED an "enhanced" manual around Christmas, 2010... >> >> A new operating manual actually was written, by a third party (based >> on their enthusiastic pitch, we agreed to let them have a crack at >> it). But when we reviewed it last month, we had very significant >> differences over style and content. So we're back to the drawing >> board, looking for possible authors. Our own tech writer would do an >> excellent job, but he's scheduled out many months on project manuals. >> >> 73, >> Wayne >> N6KR -- Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
