Bad Assumptions

[Phil Anderson]

I've been reading the mail on this thread. Quite enjoyable and
interesting. It's nice to see what everyone is doing with their K3 or KX3...
Here's my bit:

1. Bought K3 kit w ATU and 100 watt Amp in November. Ten hour build and
works great - no computer control then.
2. Wanted to try diversity so then bought second receiver and expanded
the AUX port - a bit of work but went fine.
3. Read about advanced contesting methods in the ARRL Contest Journal so
ordered the P3 and high-speed interface I/O option ....WOW...Now I'm not
wasting time spinning the dial to find what's on the band.....I just see
it all and can click on spectrum display and the P3 sends that freq to
the rig auto....Now in casual operating, I'm logging 3 times the short
QSOs that I was before... little dial spinning!
4. Then got tired of all that logging by hand on a computer across the
room - my desk - and downloaded a copy of N1MM+ for contest logging and
capturing of FREQ, MODE, and other details that now go into my radio
bench log automatically. In addition, I chose one of the contest logs
and use it for general logging too (gathering enough detail) per above.
After a few days with that "general log" I dump an ADIF file into my
N3FJP general log on the other old desk computer for upload to LOTW and
eQSL. When time, I'll move the LOTW stuff over to my computer on the
radio bench.
5. One $-saving idea for that second computer. I had an older Dell
OPTIPLEX 330 I wasn't using. I totally cleaned the hard drive, loaded
Windows SYS 7 to it and AVEST security too. Now attached via cable to my
house router for web stuff. Sound card meet requirements so keep it.
System seven used most of the 2 GB RAM so added two new sticks @ $49
each at Best Buy, for a total of 4 GB of RAM and runs fast with just
those few apps. Using the USB to serial port cable (came with K3) to
connect to the P3 of the rig, that feeds though to the K3 for that
portion of the computer control I want.
6. Can still use the basic terminal program that came with K3...for
casual RTTY, etc.
7. We're just a couple of months away from spring here in Kansas, so now
looking at adding a two-beverage (for four directions) antenna in back
yard for work on 30 and 40 meters. Sure, I'll try it on 20 too. SteppIR
is my main transmit antenna at this time. May add a beam Stepper on roof
mount this summer. WHAT FUN!
73, Phil in Kansas, W0XI.







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[barry whittemore]

When i got back into ham radio in 1993 i bought an IC725 basic radio and made a homebrew Serial to TTL converter so i could use the PC for controlling the radio. I have never looked back and have been using PC control ever since. I built the interface in a 25 pin D connector shell because thats what serial ports used back then.

I have a home brew 1929 transmitter that i use for the bruce kelley qso party. I was going to use an SDR for the receiver but there was so much latency in the RX sig that i could not use it for sidetone.

It would have been cool to use latest tech for One side and antient tech for the other.

I have two PCs connected to my K3 as my XYL ops with me and either of us can control the radio and both can get radio data.

(Its a special hookup) Either of us can do CW,SSB RTTY or AFSK modes independantly.

Life is good. We use N1MM logger for the daily logger. We are friends with Tom (N1MM) so we get it for free. (so do people that are not friends with Tom)

People are concerned about the loss of logs due to drive crashes etc. Ironicly, after this years bruce kelley 1929 contest, which i logged my 11 contacts with paper and pencil, i lost the log sheet. My elogs are all safe in multiple places.

 

Enjoy

Barry

NF1O
     
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