Re: [Elecraft] K3- ergonomics

2014-04-15 Thread Bill W2BLC
And the TS-990 is huge on the desk and very heavy to move about. Not my cuppa! And, I have always been a Kenwood fan. Bill K-Line __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.n

Re: [Elecraft] K3- ergonomics

2014-04-15 Thread Jim Lowman
Anyone wanting more knobs and single functions can always buy a TS-990. It's only about $800 more than my loaded K3. Look at all the advantages that you'd have, in addition: -- larger footprint on the desk -- ~ 140 knobs to play with -- all sorts of controls that you may never use -- fantast

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread riese-k3djc
I had to have my orthopedic surgeon repair my hand from the Ergonomics on the K3 Har Bob K3DJC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraf

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread Fred Jensen
Probably not, Steve. I use a Pigknob to control my K3 but not for any reasons dealing with K3 "ergonomic deficiencies." I contest with N1MM and do occasionally type a frequency into the CALL field to control the radio, and N1MM sends for me, but beyond that, I use the controls on the radio.

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread Phil Wheeler
Much the same, Ed. My K3 is much newer (#8004), but I've had a K2/100 with which I'm still pleased -- partially because I can repair anything in it and add some subtle improvements (I still have a K2 to-do list). K2 is still a very capable rig, but now in my 61st year as a ham, I decided to t

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread Edward R Cole
Long ago I mentioned using the "last radio I would own" argument with my wife to acquire a K3/10. Well, I lied, and subsequently bought the KX3 (to replace my FT-817). The continuous stream of firmware upgrades does make this "sort-of" true, though. I have sn 4043, and once thought I was the

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread Walter Underwood
No, 60m was an example of the kind of thing that could be added. Of course that already works on the K3 and KX3. --wunder On Apr 4, 2014, at 5:07 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > wunder, > > Are you saying the K3 (or KX3) band buttons skip 60 meters on yours? > That is not standard operation, but the

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread Roger D Johnson
I have only one small complaint about the ergonomics. I think the POWER button should be on the top left of the panel. My last two radios had it there and I was used to it. I've learned to use it at it's present location so it's a very minor gripe. 73 Roger

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread Don Wilhelm
wunder, Are you saying the K3 (or KX3) band buttons skip 60 meters on yours? That is not standard operation, but the band buttons can be set to skip any selected bands the owner selects. Perhaps you have configured 60 meters out of the band rotation. No need to extend the existing band butto

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-04 Thread John K3TN
I picture myself walking into a ham radio shop (remember the days when we used to do that weekly?) and I go to the HF transceiver section and I see: On the far left the are the tiny SDR boxes that you can only operate via a computer and the front panel choices are all software and essentially ever

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Bernhard.Horst
e Nachricht- Von: MontyS [mailto:mon...@mindspring.com] Gesendet: Freitag, 4. April 2014 00:14 An: David and Dianne on Comcast; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics I don't want any rig to be the "last rig I Own". I had a K3, and loved it, for over 5

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Walter Underwood
You could extend an existing button function. Perhaps add the 60m band to the band up/down buttons. Or add a mode to the mode buttons. That would be one way to include ESSB or Synchronous AM detection. The mode rotation on my Lowe HF-150 includes several flavors of AM. I doubt it will happen, b

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
I do have one rhetorical question for the group on this topic, and it applies to my KX3 as well. Unlike brand Y, or brand K, or brand I, these radios are largely software defined, and features can be added that weren't part of the original design. While I don't have a list handy, I'm sure th

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread ANDY NEHAN
My recent previous rig was the FT897 so by comparison the K3 has trully wonderful ergonomics. I accept that having multifunction controls is not ideal but that has to be weighed against a front panel twice as big. I am happy with the choices made by Elecraft - as they say "one cannot simultaneou

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Stephen Bloom
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics I too am an 'old' K3 owner (in more than one sense). I have K3 #0007. Yes, /seven/. I was one of the incredibly lucky members of a focus group when the K3 was still in prototype form. I love my K3 as much as anyone ca

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Fred Jensen
OK Wayne and all the rest: I don't hang on the list eagerly waiting for the latest firmware update. After I got my K3 kit [#642], I was inundated with firmware updates. Most were important and meant something to me, I knew I'd bought in early and expected this. As time passed, the update fr

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Hystad
> I once suggested to Wayne that he charge something for 'premium' firmware, > possibly with specialized features that not everyone would want. That would > give them some revenue to finance continued development for existing products. > > He told me -- in no uncertain terms -- that Elecraft wou

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Vic Rosenthal K2VCO
I too am an 'old' K3 owner (in more than one sense). I have K3 #0007. Yes, /seven/. I was one of the incredibly lucky members of a focus group when the K3 was still in prototype form. I love my K3 as much as anyone can 'love' a radio. But I agree with Dave, Joe and Ian that the K3 still has so

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Wheeler
Sometimes a useful way to put it, like when discussing buying the K3/P3, KX3, KPA500 and KAT500 with my wife. And who knows, at my age Elecraft may not come up with one better soon enough (Murphy's Law may attack me now, with some imminent Elecraft announcement unrelated to the KX3) :-) My

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Since "last rig" implies something far more final, I'd agree with the original poster. I don't want a "last rig" either. 73 -- Lynn On 4/3/2014 5:55 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: Sounds like you're going for "last rigS" __ Elecraft maili

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Wayne Burdick
> Guess I stirred up a hornet's nest on the ergonomics subject. I spent the day alternately documenting the color and size of the hornets, for future reference, and hiding from them. > However, that said, after the last round of firmware updates my K-Line has > become the best station I have e

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Wheeler
Sounds like you're going for "last rigS", Marty :-) Phil W7OX On 4/3/14, 3:13 PM, MontyS wrote: I don't want any rig to be the "last rig I Own". I had a K3, and loved it, for over 5 years. I will probably get another one in the future. I've owned a HW-100, a Swan - the first with a digita

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Don Wilhelm
I have to compare the K2 firmware development and its time span with the firmware development of the K3. The K2 was introduced in 1999 and its firmware was improved to add new functions up until about 2006 (about the time the K3 was being developed). Yes, the update rate slowed considerably ove

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Bill W2BLC
Guess I stirred up a hornet's nest on the ergonomics subject. However, that said, after the last round of firmware updates my K-Line has become the best station I have ever owned. Simply put: It does what it is advertised to do - pretty much as easy or complicated as you choose. So, I guess Gr

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread David and Dianne on Comcast
Grant-NQ5T, A lot of folks were weighing in on this topic before me... but since you chose to re-post my original text in your reply (BTW hasn't Eric asked us repeatedly not to do that?) I can only infer that you are directing your comments to my post. So You find my comments odd? I fi

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Ian White
>I have to admit, I find most of this discussion a bit odd. > >Why, is the K3 less "fun" today than it was two years ago? Why do you >expect Elecraft to deliver more radio than you purchased? Because that is precisely what Elecraft did deliver in the early days of the K3 - both the "fun" part

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Goldtr8 (KD8NNU)
and Dianne on Comcast ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics I don't want any rig to be the "last rig I Own". I had a K3, and loved it, for over 5 years. I will probably get another one in the future. I've owned a HW-100, a Swan - the first with

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread GRANT YOUNGMAN
I have to admit, I find most of this discussion a bit odd. Why, is the K3 less “fun” today than it was two years ago? Why do you expect Elecraft to deliver more radio than you purchased? If I buy an SL245 (that’s a car, not a radio!), I don’t then 3 years later grouse about the fact that it

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread MontyS
I don't want any rig to be the "last rig I Own". I had a K3, and loved it, for over 5 years. I will probably get another one in the future. I've owned a HW-100, a Swan - the first with a digital readout, a Kachina 505 - the first computer-controlled radio, an IC-756 Pro with a color screen, a

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread David and Dianne on Comcast
Joe, W4TV and Ian, GM3SEK; I found both of your posts to be spot on with me and very insightful. I own K3 #371 and have been disappointed with the lack of its further development in the past 18 months or the "finishing" of some features as mentioned by Ian.. And as much as I have tried, real

[Elecraft] K3 ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread r miles
My K3 is a LOT more ergonomic than that JA HF radio that looked like the grille from '52 Buick. K9IL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:

Re: [Elecraft] K3- ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Joe W2KJ
Howdy Gang: I'm holding out for the K4 (grin). 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.ne

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Jan
slightly and has a nicer feel to it than hard plastic. Bill K-Line -- Message: 13 Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2014 19:50:50 +0800 (SGT) From: Johnny Siu To: Bill W2BLC, "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics Message-ID:

[Elecraft] K3- ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread RLVZ
I love the performance of the K3 and am grateful for the fine service that Elecraft provides. Elecraft is a fantastic company! That said, I'd also love to see a "larger" K3 for my ham shack which has individual band and mode buttons on the front panel, a larger display that spaces the informa

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread W0MU
Odd I am 6'2 with big hands and I thought I would dislike the small size. I don't. I am thrilled with it especially for travel! I would not mind a K3 front panel on steroids for the home shack with more buttons. Sometimes the dual mode buttons can be confusing. The K3 could be more new ope

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Gary Smith
Remember in "Oh God" when George Burns as God admitted to Denver that he made a mistake and made the Avocado seed too large? I never forgot that part of the movie. When it comes to the K3, my only real ergonomics complaint the opposite of that seed problem, its that the VFO B knob is just too s

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Tony Estep
I guess I am some sort of an oddball. I find no fault with my K3 at all. I had an FT-1000MP and to tell you the truth I found no fault with it either. The human interface is completely different, but you just learn to work it and then you know it and you never think about it again. Here is an exam

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Edward R Cole
It took some time getting to know my K3 (I'd say about 3-weeks) till I was fairly comfortable with basic use. The short-vs-long press buttons did require some re-training on my part, but I see the utility of not having to find the FUNCtion button and then a second button to access alternative

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Hystad
On Apr 3, 2014, at 11:19 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > > But, assume SAME K3 functionality. > > I'm not so sure *SAME* functionality is a fair question for the next > generation top of the line transceiver. > No, it isn't a fair question but why be fair when you can ask anything. But, I

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Joe Subich, W4TV
> But, assume SAME K3 functionality. I'm not so sure *SAME* functionality is a fair question for the next generation top of the line transceiver. Among other things, the headphone amplifier really needs to be a bit more stout than 100 mW - 500 mW if not 1 watt is more appropriate even if the de

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Wes (N7WS)
Nothing that follows has anything to do with ergonomics, which is the topic of this thread, but at my advanced age I no longer suffer fools gladly. I will answer other comments in another post but yours deserve special attention. My K3 is S/N 2059, what's yours? Mine would be even older but I

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Hystad
My 2-bits: |u> and |d> OK, what if Elecraft took the K3 and did a major ergonomic redesign of the radio and called it the K3-Ergo. It could be twice as large, many single function buttons and dials and maybe even a more expanded multicolor LCD screen. But, assume SAME K3 functionality. How

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Wes (N7WS)
Amen On 4/3/2014 6:49 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: What is so bad about how the K3 is designed (ergonomics)? This is not the first time I have seen this said. I do not find it particularly challenging to use the panel controls or the menus - but, maybe that's just me. Is it the lack of curves a

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Jim Brown
On 4/3/2014 6:49 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: I've given up counting the number of times the radio has changed bands when I meant to change modes or vice versa or the number of times I've engaged RIT when I wanted to turn off the speaker, the number of times I've reset VFO B when I wanted to engag

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Scott Manthe
On 4/3/14 12:11 PM, Ian White wrote: The *real* problem is that Elecraft has shown no interest in doing so. The stream of improvements that once made the K3 so exciting has slowed to a disappointing trickle, with too much still left undone. Like ergonomics, this feeling isn't universal. I'd muc

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics or ?

2014-04-03 Thread Dick Dickinson
In general, I don't take exception to the comments regarding K3 ergonomics. One of my areas of interest for enhancements lays in the realm of received / perceived audio. Often I've seen the audio qualities of the K3 mentioned. Included in the aspect of receive audio are DSP / Noise Reducti

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Wheeler
"But I guess I'm in the minority...": Definitely not here :-) Phil W7OX On 4/3/14, 9:34 AM, Alan Bloom wrote: On 04/03/2014 05:44 AM, Mike Harris wrote: This must be a fairly recent thing, wanting all front panels to be the same except for the name. I actually prefer a metal chassis to a

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Alan Bloom
On 04/03/2014 05:44 AM, Mike Harris wrote: This must be a fairly recent thing, wanting all front panels to be the same except for the name. I actually prefer a metal chassis to a plastic one. The K3 looks like it was constructed rather than popped out of a mold. But I guess I'm in the mino

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Ian White
>> In a post speaking to the Sherwood chart, it was said, "too many >> people jump on one number to rate (rank) equipment and totally >>disregard things like ergonomics >> (If they didn't the K3 would be at the bottom of >> the list)." >> W4TV replied: > >The issue is not "lack of curves a

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Jim Miller
My first Elecraft was a used K2 (that had serious problems). When I open the box, I was seriously disappointed with the looks of it. Hooking it up and listening along side my original 746, I heard a lot more stations on the K2 on my attic dipole than on my "real" outside antenna. I thought th

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Buddy Brannan
Tuning in in the middle, but for my part, I’d much rather have multifunction knobs and buttons than menus buried in menus which are, in turn, buried in menus. I like that most of the menus on the Elecraft rigs are set once and forget. This makes me happy. And, unlike some manufacturers, Elecraft

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Johnny Siu
o our discussion.  The DSP and NR in their KX3 demonstrated that they did listen. 73 Johnny VR2XMC 寄件人︰ Richard 收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期︰ 2014年04月3日 (週四) 10:49 PM 主題︰ [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics Is there a rig out there that doesn't require

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Phil Wheeler
I've been using Elecraft transceivers exclusively for 15 years (K2, now K3 as primary base station), so my recent personal experience is limited. I have heard it said that Elecraft approach of fewer buttons and knobs, with short presses and long presses on the buttons, is less user-friendly th

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Richard
Is there a rig out there that doesn't require a learning curve? Are hams mere plug-and-play guys and too lazy to "read the manual"? Can anyone break a pileup the first hour after purchasing an FT5K or IC7800? I remember a comment I read just after I got my previous rig (an FT1000MP) in 2001: "

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Johnny Siu
trained pilot flying his F22.  Of course, like F22, K3 is a good performer. 73 Johnny VR2XMC 寄件人︰ "Joe Subich, W4TV" 收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期︰ 2014年04月3日 (週四) 9:49 PM 主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics > What is so bad about

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Joe Subich, W4TV
What is so bad about how the K3 is designed (ergonomics)? This is not the first time I have seen this said. I do not find it particularly challenging to use the panel controls or the menus - but, maybe that's just me. Is it the lack of curves and swirls or plastic molding? I go for functionality

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Mike Harris
Good day, This must be a fairly recent thing, wanting all front panels to be the same except for the name. Over the years I've gone down the route of: Heathkit RA1 RX + HB TX, National NCX5 tcvr, FT101, Racal kit whilst in Antarctica, TS120V, Marconi and Eddystone equipment at the salt mine,

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Gary Gregory
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder somebody once told me! Performance to me IS everythingeye candy has never helped in a pileup. Just my nickels worth Gary Vk1ZZ K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3. On 03/04/2014 11:05 PM, "Kevin Stover" wrote: > Sour grapes from guys who can't believe the K

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Kevin Stover
Sour grapes from guys who can't believe the K3 is the equal of or better than their rig which they spent too much on (5 digits, anybody still have their FTDX-9000's) to get the 100+ pretty lights and useless, mostly unused buttons. They can't knock the rig on it's performance, 7 years later, s

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Slava Baytalskiy
> > Johnny VR2XMC > K2, K3, KX3, KAT500, KPA500, P3 > > > ____________ > 寄件人︰ Bill W2BLC > 收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net > 傳送日期︰ 2014年04月3日 (週四) 6:19 PM > 主題︰ [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics > > > In a post speaking to the Sherwood chart, i

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Johnny Siu
0, P3 寄件人︰ Bill W2BLC 收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期︰ 2014年04月3日 (週四) 6:19 PM 主題︰ [Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics In a post speaking to the Sherwood chart, it was said, "too many people jump on one number to rate (rank) equipment and totally disregard t

[Elecraft] K3 - Ergonomics

2014-04-03 Thread Bill W2BLC
In a post speaking to the Sherwood chart, it was said, "too many people jump on one number to rate (rank) equipment and totally disregard things like ergonomics (If they didn't the K3 would be at the bottom of the list)." What is so bad about how the K3 is designed (ergonomics)? This i

Re: [Elecraft] K3 ergonomics & band switching

2009-09-20 Thread Richard Williams
I have to agree that band switching on the K3 is not the most "user friendly" and having to "step though" all the bands is a pain in the butt. That said, you can only do so much within a givin size; many features that can be eaisly encorperated into/onto a large front panel have to be present

Re: [Elecraft] K3 ergonomics

2009-09-19 Thread westalto
IMHO, the TS-2000 is a REALLY UGLY radio Doug, W6JD - Original Message - From: "r miles" To: "elecraft" Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 10:09:32 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [Elecraft] K3 ergonomics I  went thru the same question. Be

Re: [Elecraft] K3 ergonomics

2009-09-19 Thread Val
> Another fact is that many people like small radios and many people prefer > or even need a larger radio. My personal preference would be to have > the option of the incredible small and lightweight K-3 for > mobile/portable > use and then a larger K-4? for base operation... similiar electro

[Elecraft] K3 ergonomics

2009-09-19 Thread RLVZ
Hi Guys, The wonderful fact is that there are a great deal of people who love the K-3's performance... excellent job Elecraft! Another fact is that many people like small radios and many people prefer or even need a larger radio. My personal preference would be to have the option of the

[Elecraft] K3 ergonomics

2009-09-19 Thread r miles
I went thru the same question. Being over 6' tall & I could 'palm' a basketball in my youth I wasn't sure. I used a friends K2 & K3 on FD the last 3 yr.s. I realized it was no more difficult or easier to operate than a big rig. Another friend has a TS 2000 which is 'prettier' maybe..but I w