[Elecraft] [K3] data interface option
An unstated option for a future serial port replacement would be Bluetooth. This interface has the enormous benefit of not being wired. In today's market of less-experienced hams, who more often than not also attempt to use their radios in their own antenna's near field, not having any extra wires is a good idea. Avoiding the exposure to RFI from the inadvertent coupling of one's own signal can't be a bad thing. I can't tall you how many botched EIA-232 cables I have fixed over the years, with missing or backwards data and/or handshake lines, not to mention pin 5 discontinuities. Further, Bluetooth technology is ideal for both laptop and desktop control, it's possible to add PDA and netbook application support because all new operating systems natively host the Bluetooth serial port profile, there are no driver issues, latency is purposefully low, you free up back panel real estate formerly used by the DB-9, you can easily get applications to address multiple Bluetooth client radios for those stations so fortunately equipped, silicon is easily added at minimal cost and with almost zero design risk (I know, I've done it), power consumption is low, there's no chance of communications-link RFI -to- the rig as you frequently find with wired interfaces of every sort, it allows (if done right) the use of Bluetooth headphones in addition to the serial port replacement, and, it's a worldwide frequency and mode allocation. Did I mention there are no wires? 73 Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. __ 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
[Elecraft] Footswitch
I rather like the Boss FS-5U foot switch. It's made for use by guitarists and other musicians who would use it to switch in effects. Very stout, and priced attractively for amateur radio use. http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=57 I use it with my K3 and my Sennheiser PC350 headset. This headset is idealized for long-term wear comfort, light weight, and high build quality. Oh, and it looks great and sounds great too. Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 :: yet another tiny feature request (!)
It would be nice to have a configuration option to toggle the AF GAIN setting simultaneously with toggling of the SPKR+PH option. Speakers often have less sensitivity than headphones, and when using the SPKR+PH function to switch to cans (I happen to have it assigned to PF2 as do many others) one must them reach for the AF gain knob ... quickly ... ... because the AF gain knobs are adjusted for speaker level. Ouch. tnx Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. __ 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
[Elecraft] P3 button alterations (maybe not too late)
The power switch really isn't necessary; holding the QSY knob in could perform the same function. Most people will select for the P3 to come 'on' with the K3 anyway. By freeing up the power switch position, you create five 'slots' (the former power switch and the 4 PF buttons). Then, you make those five positions into discrete half-height buttons, for a total of 10 across the bottom of the display. The 'menu' button next to the QSY knob stays as-is. Very little additional board work or sheet metal changes would be needed, and, the buttons and caps themselves are already Elecraft stock parts, from the K1. (Yes, I know they'd have to be silk screened for this application.) These ten new buttons would be labeled 160 80 40 et cetera; yielding the much coveted dedicated band switches for each band, and thus enabling full coverage direct band selection and allowing for equally-wished-for band stacking registers. This also eliminates the confusing choice of 8 unlabeled PF buttons, which is what's there now. ;-) Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. __ 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
[Elecraft] P3 :: wish list
Looks from the picture that the sheet metal has been committed. That's a shame. This would have been the perfect opportunity to add the dedicated band buttons needed for band-stacking registers. If the P3 had those, it'd sell for that reason alone. I would pay an extra $$$ to get them. Hope the serial data and buffered IF signals are available as loop-throughs on the back panel, as well as perhaps a DC interconnect. Steve KZ1X/4 __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 :: time set program
I have had a challenge with the program used to set the K3 clock, K3 Time Keeper, made available from a 3rd party author. When I invoke the executable, nothing happens. I see the job running when I go look in Task Manager, but there's no UI. OS is XP/SP3. K3 is on a real UART, COM1, as Nature intended. All other rig control programs work fine ... and oddly, on occasion, this one has also worked in the past. Anybody else have this happen? I'd ask the author, but since running the exe produces no UI, I can't see who wrote it! __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 :: digital display of RF input level
Sometimes, the digital readout display of the signal strength 'sticks' at +99.9 dBV. Not sure what I am doing to make it happen. I can repair this by selecting some other readout with the B VFO, and returning to the signal display. Once I make the repair I can't get the problem to come back unless I power cycle the rig. Anybody else see this? Did I do something wrong? Also, would Elecraft ever consider making a remote coax switch? I am shopping for one and I don't see any I like so far. I'd buy it if there was one that was 'Elecrafty' ... I know that isn't a word, but everybody reading this knows exactly what I mean. Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 :: CTCSS deviation
Just for yuks, I attempted to key my local 6 meter repeater. Seems like the CTCSS deviation isn't enough to 'kick off' the PL squelch on the machine. I was able to defeat the repeater PL requirement with a touch tone sequence (held the K3 mic to my HT for DTMF), so I know it's playing OK. I'm only 3 miles away from the repeater. What is the CTCSS deviation in the K3, and if it is adjustable, how is it adjusted? I have the voice FM deviation set to 6 kHz. Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 :: feature request
The 'flashing TX' annunciator on the LCD (when TX is disabled) is not catching enough for my aging eyes. I'd like the red TX LED to also gate, at the same rate, when I attempt to transmit with the TX disabled. Seems minor, but, I wish I had a quarter for every time I cussed the other guy out for being deaf ... when in fact I wasn't transmitting. tnx Steve KZ1X/4 K1, K2, K3, etc. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 :: inboard voltmeter and ammeter
Are there any specs for the accuracy of these meters? Mine are not very accurate. For example, on RX, the ammeter reads about 200 mA low. Measured current is 1.24A but the rig says 1.02A. The voltmeter is also shy, by what looks like the voltage drop of a Si diode. When transmitting at 100W carrier, the ammeter reads about a half-amp low. Not really that big a deal -- except if it's indicating I have messed something up. It's for the same reason that I check my gas mileage every fill up. If it changes a lot, I know something is amiss. 73 mx Steve KZ1X/4 Celebrating nine years on this reflector 12/1999-12/2008 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 :: ERR PL2 message
Today I installed my KRX3 (Christmas present) and some other accessories. I get the ERR PL2 message on the screen when I power up, or, when I enable the 2nd receiver. So, I changed R10 on both of the SYN boards to a 56k part, as the app note showed that could possibly fix the problem. For me, it did not. ERR PL2 still appears. I am running 2.76/1.98 FW. The radio seems to work fine, other than this odd behavior. Any ideas? Steve KZ1X/4 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 :: ERR PL2 message no longer occurring
An update ... I just forced a re-load of firmware and did the automated synthesizer cal functions on both SYN units. The combination of these actions, perhaps with or independent of the resistor change, cleared up the problem. Thanks to the folks who responded so quickly! I am now 'playing' with the dual receive, and with suitable antenna selection can get diversity sufficient to pick out WWV from WWVH at 10 MHz. Time to get serious with some new skyhooks around here. Tomorrow morning!! tnx Steve KZ1X/4 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 :: QSK with external keyer
Allan Thanks for the comment, to which I concur. BTW I found my configuration error. I use a WinKeyer USB externally, which interfaces well with my logging programs. My temporary problem was self-induced, and in the PC configuration. Indeed, the K3 QSK is as good as any of my TenTec radios, and the 'new QSK' function works nicely. Even using my TenTec 422 amplifier in VOX mode, I am 'clean' to speeds where I cannot possibly copy anyway. To say I'm happy with this rig is a tremendous understatement. And I'm one of the pickiest, hard-to-please guys you'll ever find (according to the XYL). 73 Steve KZ1X/4 * * * On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 10:02 AM, Allan Taylor [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have yet to use the internal keyer. My external keyer (LogiKey K-3) does just great. Very smooth and enjoyable QSK. Allan K7GT On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:39 PM, inventor_sixty_one [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am wondering how/if I can key my K3 using an external keyer, with the same QSK action that I have when using my paddles? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 :: QSK with external keyer
I am wondering how/if I can key my K3 using an external keyer, with the same QSK action that I have when using my paddles? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
