A number of VHF ops on the list (myself included) have been lobbying for some time for a feature that is standard on most or all HF+VHF Ikensu rigs: the ability to have the VFO automatically offset by the amount of the BFO pitch when switching between SSB and CW. This capability is typically of little interest to HF operators, where SSB and CW are rigidly separated into two distinct sub-bands. On VHF and UHF, SSB and CW are used interchangeably, as needed, on the same (SSB) frequencies.
I've already had extensive discussions with Wayne about this; the problem is, due to the software design architecture of the K3, it's not as easy to implement as it sounds like it should be. The performance objective for switching from SSB to CW (CW to SSB is simply the reverse) is for ONE button tap to accomplish: (a) shifting the VFO frequency up (or down) 700 Hz (nominal pitch) (b) switching the K3 from USB to CW REV (or from LSB to CW) (c) bringing into play a pre-configured set of CW characteristics that go with the transmission mode The workaround I've come up with accomplishes this, at the expense of having a free VFO B to play with. On VHF/UHF, however, there is virtually no split operation (except satellites), so this isn't as big a deal as it sounds like. Here's how to do it, assuming USB and a pitch offset of 700 Hz (substitute your own pitch setting if not 700): (1) Set MODE to USB, and set up all desired RX characteristics for this mode in the normal fashion. (2) Set display resolution to FINE so it displays Hz (three decimal places). (3) Tap A/B button, and repeat Step 2. (4) Now set each VFO in turn (select using the A/B button) such that one is zeroed out (xx.xxx.000), and the other displays xx.xxx.700. (5) Hold SUB and notice that the display says LINK. The two VFOs are now locked together and will track 700 Hz apart. (6) Use the A/B button to select the VFO with the +700 Hz offset. This will be your CW VFO. (7) Set MODE to CW REV, which will give you the same tuning direction as USB. (8) Set up all desired RX characteristics for this mode in the normal fashion. This completes the setup. From now on, a tap of the A/B button will switch from USB to CW REV or from CW REV to USB, and the VFO will automatically be set to the correct frequency, removing the requirement of retuning to acquire the signal. RIT can still be used in the normal manner, but the offset will be carried on RX when switching from one VFO to the other. Depending on what you're trying to do, this may or may not be a good thing. Just be mindful of the behavior. Please critique these instructions if you find anything unclear. Bill W5WVO ______________________________________________________________ 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
