Elecraft

Firmware request

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Giulio Pico - IW3HVB

Firmware request

I've noticed one possible issue using the KDVR3, wich I've installed today.
The PTT is controlled directly by the radio, so basically when you go
for playback the radio goes on TX automatically.
This is a problem for us, cause on our VHF station we deal with an
external sequencer who manage to do the timings for relays, PA and the
mast mounted LNA.
We use a foot switch to drive the sequencer and the radio PTT is
controlled via the external PTT socket.
At the moment the radio doesn't even allow you to go playback if it is
already on TX. In any case, even if this was possible it would have
been a source for possible troubles, cause you have to rely on the
smartness of the operator who must remember to start the PTT sequence
well before pressing the playback button.
It would be better, in a case like this, to inibhit the playback button
to control the PTT. This should be an option in the config menu, as if
you are not using any external device, having the K3 going TX with a
single pressing of a button is quite cool.
These were my 2 Cents on the topic.

73 de Giulio IW3HVB
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Andy Faber

Re: Firmware request

I like this idea also. But then we also would need some way of knowing when
a message finishes. For example, under computer control, if I send a TX
command to go into TX mode, then a command to start playing a message, the
radio has to let me know somehow when the message is finished, so that I can
send an RX command. This would allow some more flexibility than presently
exists (for example I could have a repeat interval of 1.5 seconds instead of
being restricted to whole seconds per the menu).
73, andy, ae6y
----- Original Message -----
From: "Giulio Pico - IW3HVB" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 2:46 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Firmware request

> I've noticed one possible issue using the KDVR3, wich I've installed
> today.
> The PTT is controlled directly by the radio, so basically when you go
> for playback the radio goes on TX automatically.
> This is a problem for us, cause on our VHF station we deal with an
> external sequencer who manage to do the timings for relays, PA and the
> mast mounted LNA.
> We use a foot switch to drive the sequencer and the radio PTT is
> controlled via the external PTT socket.
> At the moment the radio doesn't even allow you to go playback if it is
> already on TX. In any case, even if this was possible it would have
> been a source for possible troubles, cause you have to rely on the
> smartness of the operator who must remember to start the PTT sequence
> well before pressing the playback button.
> It would be better, in a case like this, to inibhit the playback button
> to control the PTT. This should be an option in the config menu, as if
> you are not using any external device, having the K3 going TX with a
> single pressing of a button is quite cool.
> These were my 2 Cents on the topic.
>
> 73 de Giulio IW3HVB
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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David Pratt

Re: Firmware request

In a recent message, Andrew Faber <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>
>I like this idea also. But then we also would need some way of knowing when
>a message finishes. For example, under computer control, if I send a TX
>command to go into TX mode, then a command to start playing a message, the
>radio has to let me know somehow when the message is finished, so that I can
>send an RX command.

It has already been suggested that the MON level be set to a
predetermined level when a message is being sent. In that way you would
actually hear the progress of the playback.

73

--
David G4DMP
Leeds, England, UK
------

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Geoffrey Downs-2

Re: Firmware request

It's a good point you make David. We have both mentioned that it would be
good for the firmware to turn MON on (if it isn't on already) during the
transmission of a recorded message, whether from M1-8 or AF Play. Also,
Andy, as far as stopping tx under computer control is concerned, at present
it stops automatically at the end of tx from M1-8, so could this just be
left to happen under computer control, even if the start of tx and of
playback were two separate steps? I agree with Giulio, however, that under
manual control the one button press to tx a message from M1-8 is a great
feature.

Whilst on the subject of the KDVR3, which I must say makes excellent
recordings, I've noticed that a recording does not appear at LIN OUT unless
it's set to =PHONES. I wonder why this is.

73 to all

Geoff
G3UCK

In a recent message David G4DMP wrote:
>
> It has already been suggested that the MON level be set to a
> predetermined level when a message is being sent. In that way you would
> actually hear the progress of the playback.

> In a recent message, Andrew Faber <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>>
>>I like this idea also. But then we also would need some way of knowing
>>when
>>a message finishes. For example, under computer control, if I send a TX
>>command to go into TX mode, then a command to start playing a message, the
>>radio has to let me know somehow when the message is finished, so that I
>>can
>>send an RX command.

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Andy Faber

Re: Firmware request

In reply to this post by David Pratt

David,
Thanks. Yes, but I want the computer to be able to tell directly. Of
course, if MON is set to a certain level, I suppose one could have the
computer keep checking the MON level, but that is a pretty indirect approach
to determining when the message has finished.
73, andy, ae6y
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Pratt" <[hidden email]>
To: "Andrew Faber" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "Giulio Pico - IW3HVB" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 1:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware request

> In a recent message, Andrew Faber <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>>
>>I like this idea also. But then we also would need some way of knowing
>>when
>>a message finishes. For example, under computer control, if I send a TX
>>command to go into TX mode, then a command to start playing a message, the
>>radio has to let me know somehow when the message is finished, so that I
>>can
>>send an RX command.
>
> It has already been suggested that the MON level be set to a predetermined
> level when a message is being sent. In that way you would actually hear
> the progress of the playback.
>
> 73
>
> --
> David G4DMP
> Leeds, England, UK
> ------
>
>

Matt Zilmer

Re: Firmware request

In K22 mode (extended K2 cmds), try polling the K3 via the KY;
command. When the response is KY2; from the rig, the message has
completed and the transmission is complete. Polling twice a second is
probably adequate.

Remember that you have to send the K22; before transmitting, because
if you don't you will never see KY2; coming back.

P9 of the K3 Programmer's Manual, available on the Elecraft website
under Manuals and Downloads, will help here too.

73,
matt W6NIA
K3 #24

On Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:46:52 -0800, you wrote:

>David,
> Thanks. Yes, but I want the computer to be able to tell directly. Of
>course, if MON is set to a certain level, I suppose one could have the
>computer keep checking the MON level, but that is a pretty indirect approach
>to determining when the message has finished.
> 73, andy, ae6y
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David Pratt" <[hidden email]>
>To: "Andrew Faber" <[hidden email]>
>Cc: "Giulio Pico - IW3HVB" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
>Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 1:48 AM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware request
>
>
>> In a recent message, Andrew Faber <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>>>
>>>I like this idea also. But then we also would need some way of knowing
>>>when
>>>a message finishes. For example, under computer control, if I send a TX
>>>command to go into TX mode, then a command to start playing a message, the
>>>radio has to let me know somehow when the message is finished, so that I
>>>can
>>>send an RX command.
>>
>> It has already been suggested that the MON level be set to a predetermined
>> level when a message is being sent. In that way you would actually hear
>> the progress of the playback.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> --
>> David G4DMP
>> Leeds, England, UK
>> ------
>>
>>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
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>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Giulio Pico - IW3HVB

Re: Firmware request

In reply to this post by Giulio Pico - IW3HVB

Giulio Pico - IW3HVB ha scritto:
> We use a foot switch to drive the sequencer and the radio PTT is
> controlled via the external PTT socket.

I've noticed another couple of issues.... regarding CW this time.
Squeezing the paddles (or using only dots or dashes, doesn't matters)
with no external PTT grounded one XV144 relay clicks constantly
following the CW pattern (no rf output anyway...).
But this is only a minor problem. The big issue is about the no-break in
functioning that behaves oddly.
If you ground the PTT and start to send CW all works fine, but if you
release the PTT the radio keeping the paddles working the radio keeps
transmitting! I finally understand how we manage to burn 3 MGF1801 at
the LNA..... It is likely that an operator slipped on the pedal for a
brief moment, starting the sequence for rx, while continuing to transmit
with the paddles.... The 5 or 6 watts output of the XV144 we use are
more than enough to cook the gaasfet.
BTW You get the same behaviour when you use the internal memory keyer.
The radio stops transmitting only when the message is over.
Another one I found while writing this message.... If the radio is in
SSB the paddles keep working "hit to tx" style..... so if you hit one
paddle without grounding the PTT the radio goes tx as well....

I have no idea if I'm doing something wrong, but I feel this is not the
case.

That's all so far..... 73 de Giulio IW3HVB

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Alexandr Kobranov

Re: Firmware request

Gulio,
part of this behavior - KEY OUT is as copy of key nor PTT OUT is well
known and was several times discussed. Key Out is activated by Key
hitting even you are in PTT mode and no PTT signal (or VOX) is active.
(see http://www.zerobeat.net/smf/index.php?topic=215.0 with comments
related to this problem)

Hope there will be some future improvement but for now it is as is
intended (realy do not what is purpose of this behavior but it is ok
as declared by Elecraft)

The rest of your report is more serious (keeping TX after PTT off),
hope it is some F/W related -
which version are you using? 2.80?

73!
Lexa, ok1dst
K3/10 #727

Giulio Pico - IW3HVB napsal(a):

> Giulio Pico - IW3HVB ha scritto:
>> We use a foot switch to drive the sequencer and the radio PTT is
>> controlled via the external PTT socket.
>
> I've noticed another couple of issues.... regarding CW this time.
> Squeezing the paddles (or using only dots or dashes, doesn't matters)
> with no external PTT grounded one XV144 relay clicks constantly
> following the CW pattern (no rf output anyway...).
> But this is only a minor problem. The big issue is about the no-break in
> functioning that behaves oddly.
> If you ground the PTT and start to send CW all works fine, but if you
> release the PTT the radio keeping the paddles working the radio keeps
> transmitting! I finally understand how we manage to burn 3 MGF1801 at
> the LNA..... It is likely that an operator slipped on the pedal for a
> brief moment, starting the sequence for rx, while continuing to transmit
> with the paddles.... The 5 or 6 watts output of the XV144 we use are
> more than enough to cook the gaasfet.
> BTW You get the same behaviour when you use the internal memory keyer.
> The radio stops transmitting only when the message is over.
> Another one I found while writing this message.... If the radio is in
> SSB the paddles keep working "hit to tx" style..... so if you hit one
> paddle without grounding the PTT the radio goes tx as well....
>
> I have no idea if I'm doing something wrong, but I feel this is not the
> case.
>
> That's all so far..... 73 de Giulio IW3HVB
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>