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HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

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Bill-4

HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

Suddenly, HRD is no longer working with my K3:

Using my K3, I initially click on a favorite - the rig responds
immediately. After a few seconds (less than 10), I click on another
favorite and there will be a multi-second delay (about 6 or 7 seconds)
before the change takes place. Changing bands is similar delayed.

This is a new problem and only effects the K3. My TS480 works perfectly
with HRD. I am a many year user of HRD - so I doubt if I am doing
something incorrectly. I also am doubting there is something wrong with
HRD. I have made no hardware changes recently to my computer (2 years at
least).

Going further, I also doubt if there is anything wrong with my K3. It is
as solid as a rock and I normally control it with a Genovation keypad
and the K-Pod. Life is great!

HRD support responded quickly and indicated it might go back a Windows
10 update. I feel that is probably a good answer. Now, if a driver has
been screwed up - how will I determine which one? I believe I have a
system backup SSD that I might try - in case that works, I would at
least have a clue.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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John Simmons

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

Bill,

Aren't computers fun? If it is a Windows update, there will be a restore
point to go back to. Click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner
of your screen and type 'restore' and you can find the latest restore
points with their dates. Try going back to the latest one.

Some other questions:
Is the computer using a real serial port, or a serial to USB adaptor for
the K3?
Is the same serial connection being used for the Kenwood as the K3?
Have you added or changed any serial or USB devices lately?
Are you running any programs that call the serial port the K3 is
connected to?

This problem certainly sounds like either a port, driver, or conflict
issue. Good luck with your problem, and please let us know what the fix
turns out to be!

73,
-John NI0K

Bill wrote on 8/8/2018 3:34 PM:

> Suddenly, HRD is no longer working with my K3:
>
> Using my K3, I initially click on a favorite - the rig responds
> immediately. After a few seconds (less than 10), I click on another
> favorite and there will be a multi-second delay (about 6 or 7 seconds)
> before the change takes place. Changing bands is similar delayed.
>
> This is a new problem and only effects the K3. My TS480 works
> perfectly with HRD. I am a many year user of HRD - so I doubt if I am
> doing something incorrectly. I also am doubting there is something
> wrong with HRD. I have made no hardware changes recently to my
> computer (2 years at least).
>
> Going further, I also doubt if there is anything wrong with my K3. It
> is as solid as a rock and I normally control it with a Genovation
> keypad and the K-Pod. Life is great!
>
> HRD support responded quickly and indicated it might go back a Windows
> 10 update. I feel that is probably a good answer. Now, if a driver has
> been screwed up - how will I determine which one? I believe I have a
> system backup SSD that I might try - in case that works, I would at
> least have a clue.
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions?
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Bill-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

Computer has a serial board with two ports. One for the K3 (P3) and one
for the 480. Not used for anything else. No adapters.

Pulled a two month old backup SSD out of the safe. No go - did not work
then either.

I am sure the computer is busy doing something - which I don't know
about - causing a resource hog delay.

This is why 99% of the time, I am running Linux Mint. But, the number of
programs that really are good for ham radio and work on Linux is small.
Most of the stuff is garbage. So I keep Windows around.

I did find an Apple driver update - took it out and noticed no difference.

This is becoming one of those things that is taking more time than it is
worth. I think this is how MS wear their customers down. Long live Linux!

Bill W2BLC

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Ken Winterling

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

Bill,

Have you run the Windows Task Manager to see if the cpu, disk and/or memory
is being heavily utilized; stuck at 100% or thereabouts on a regular basis?

Ken
WA2LBI

On Thu, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:13 AM, Bill <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Computer has a serial board with two ports. One for the K3 (P3) and one
> for the 480. Not used for anything else. No adapters.
>
> Pulled a two month old backup SSD out of the safe. No go - did not work
> then either.
>
> I am sure the computer is busy doing something - which I don't know about
> - causing a resource hog delay.
>
> This is why 99% of the time, I am running Linux Mint. But, the number of
> programs that really are good for ham radio and work on Linux is small.
> Most of the stuff is garbage. So I keep Windows around.
>
> I did find an Apple driver update - took it out and noticed no difference.
>
> This is becoming one of those things that is taking more time than it is
> worth. I think this is how MS wear their customers down. Long live Linux!
>
> Bill W2BLC
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Mark Goldberg

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Can you try the K3 utility and talk directly to the K3 and eliminate HRD
from the picture? You could try the Windows and Linux versions and compare
operation. Someone else may have to suggest what operation would exercise
the interface. I would NOT try a firmware upgrade, try something innocuous
that still transmits a lot of data. I don't have a K3, so can't suggest
what that could be.

Check for hard disk issues. I have seen long pauses with a bad hard disk
that worked but had to retry many times before working. You did say you
tried another SSD, but was the original disk still plugged in?

Linux has much better hard disk diagnostics and you can do a SMART self
test.

Check your serial cable, maybe try a different one.

Swap serial ports and see if that makes a difference.

That's all I can think of for now.

73,

Mark
W7MLG

On Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 9:13 PM, Bill <[hidden email]> wrote:

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Ken Winterling

Also there are applications that will remove scraps of updates, faulty
files, excessive Registry entries and such.    Sounds like time to do
some in-depth computer house cleaning.    Also, a virus or malware will
consume resources and really bog down a computer basically doing nothing.

I use a paid subscription of Malwaybytes although there is a free
version.   Another application I use on a regular basis is CCLeaner,
free version.   This gets rid of abandoned files and one can scrub the
Register for remnants of applications installation processes and those
removed that might remain from applications that have been removed. Of
course, there are others applications which do about the same and I'm
sure others will have their preferences.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 8/8/2018 7:24 PM, Ken Winterling wrote:

> Bill,
>
> Have you run the Windows Task Manager to see if the cpu, disk and/or memory
> is being heavily utilized; stuck at 100% or thereabouts on a regular basis?
>
> Ken
> WA2LBI
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 9, 2018 at 12:13 AM, Bill <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Computer has a serial board with two ports. One for the K3 (P3) and one
>> for the 480. Not used for anything else. No adapters.
>>
>> Pulled a two month old backup SSD out of the safe. No go - did not work
>> then either.
>>
>> I am sure the computer is busy doing something - which I don't know about
>> - causing a resource hog delay.
>>
>> This is why 99% of the time, I am running Linux Mint. But, the number of
>> programs that really are good for ham radio and work on Linux is small.
>> Most of the stuff is garbage. So I keep Windows around.
>>
>> I did find an Apple driver update - took it out and noticed no difference.
>>
>> This is becoming one of those things that is taking more time than it is
>> worth. I think this is how MS wear their customers down. Long live Linux!
>>
>> Bill W2BLC
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Bill-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

All are good suggestions and I have tried them all. No difference noted.

I run Malwarebytes and trust it. I do good cleanings periodically.

The older SSD I tried was used as the primary C drive while testing - no
other drives plugged in. No changes there either.

What is strange is the fact that nothing is showing up on Task Manager
as a hog.

Thanks for the ideas - I am tossing the towel. I'll simply run the K3
from the keypad and K-Pod. I was just hoping to clear some clutter from
the desk.

All my day-to-day stuff is Linux Mint - so no worries.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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tomb18

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Hi,There are a couple of things that may be important here. 1. Make sure the firmware on the k3 and p3 are at their latest. Having old p3 firmware and new k3 firmware can cause exactly what you have seen.2. Make sure the baud rate on the p3 matches the baud rate on the k3. Set them both the same.73 Tomva2fsq.com

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------From: Bill <[hidden email]> Date: 2018-08-09 12:13 AM (GMT-05:00) To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls
Computer has a serial board with two ports. One for the K3 (P3) and one
for the 480. Not used for anything else. No adapters.

Pulled a two month old backup SSD out of the safe. No go - did not work
then either.

I am sure the computer is busy doing something - which I don't know
about - causing a resource hog delay.

This is why 99% of the time, I am running Linux Mint. But, the number of
programs that really are good for ham radio and work on Linux is small.
Most of the stuff is garbage. So I keep Windows around.

I did find an Apple driver update - took it out and noticed no difference.

This is becoming one of those things that is taking more time than it is
worth. I think this is how MS wear their customers down. Long live Linux!

Bill W2BLC

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Gary Smith-2

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Just a thought, try disabling windows
defender when you are having this issue.

Settings >
Update & security >
Windows Security >
Virus & threat protection >
Virus & threat protection settings >

Turn Real-Time protection off

If nothing changes then it's not defender
behind the problem.

If things work as they should when you
turn it off however, you have found the
problem. If so, then on that same page
scroll down to exclusions and add the HRD
to the exclusions.

Then go back up and turn defender back on.

Restart and you may well be over the
issue.

73,

Gary
KA1J

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NK7Z

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Hi,

I too have had issues with the serial port speed of my K3 as well. My
issues are when using MixW though, not HRD. When I switched from my
Icom 756 PROIII to the K3, (using MixW), I was appalled at the loss in
speed for rig control. I have never fully resolved this issue, and will
be most interested in this thread as it progresses...

I too am running Linux, but I also keep Windows around for a few
programs as well, so our setups are similar.

For no real good reason I suspect it is the K3 itself that is slow...
Only because I have spent countless hours trying to correct the issue
only to have never fully resolved it. This leaves the K3... Not a real
good reason to suspect it, but I do.

73s and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Technical Specialist

On 08/08/2018 09:13 PM, Bill wrote:

> Computer has a serial board with two ports. One for the K3 (P3) and one
> for the 480. Not used for anything else. No adapters.
>
> Pulled a two month old backup SSD out of the safe. No go - did not work
> then either.
>
> I am sure the computer is busy doing something - which I don't know
> about - causing a resource hog delay.
>
> This is why 99% of the time, I am running Linux Mint. But, the number of
> programs that really are good for ham radio and work on Linux is small.
> Most of the stuff is garbage. So I keep Windows around.
>
> I did find an Apple driver update - took it out and noticed no difference.
>
> This is becoming one of those things that is taking more time than it is
> worth. I think this is how MS wear their customers down. Long live Linux!
>
> Bill W2BLC
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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Don Wilhelm

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Bill,

Have you looked at the RS232 menu to check the baud rate?
If you have a P3 check that too.
Set it for 38400.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/8/2018 4:34 PM, Bill wrote:
> Suddenly, HRD is no longer working with my K3:
>
> Using my K3, I initially click on a favorite - the rig responds
> immediately. After a few seconds (less than 10), I click on another
> favorite and there will be a multi-second delay (about 6 or 7 seconds)
> before the change takes place. Changing bands is similar delayed.
>
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Bill-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

I have tried and tested everything mentioned and a load more. Results:

Primary Computer is solid - working properly
Laptop using a converter to RS232 - also working properly
HRD performs properly with my TS480 with either computer
HRD fails with the K3 on either computer (symptoms already discussed in
prior postings)
K3 is fully updated and no connection changes have been made in over 6
months except to test
(replaced all lines for testing purposes)
K3 is currently operated using a Genovation and K-Pod - works wonderful!!!

At this point I am done wasting time on using HRD for the K3. For
whatever reason, it does not perform as I expect. I can use it - just
not expect to do multiple QSYs at a fast pace (such as checking various
net frequencies quickly). Others mileage may vary.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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NK7Z

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

Bill,
Please let me know if you see slow comms between the K3 and otehr
programs. I am seeing that in some cases.

73s and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Technical Specialist

On 08/10/2018 09:41 AM, Bill wrote:

> I have tried and tested everything mentioned and a load more. Results:
>
> Primary Computer is solid - working properly
> Laptop using a converter to RS232 - also working properly
> HRD performs properly with my TS480 with either computer
> HRD fails with the K3 on either computer (symptoms already discussed in
> prior postings)
> K3 is fully updated and no connection changes have been made in over 6
> months except to test
> (replaced all lines for testing purposes)
> K3 is currently operated using a Genovation and K-Pod - works wonderful!!!
>
> At this point I am done wasting time on using HRD for the K3. For
> whatever reason, it does not perform as I expect. I can use it - just
> not expect to do multiple QSYs at a fast pace (such as checking various
> net frequencies quickly). Others mileage may vary.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
>
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Bill-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Also have noticed that when using the K-Pod to QSY:

HRD is very slow to report the current frequency and cannot keep up with
the VFO. The K3 display works properly with the K-Pod.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Bill-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

Got it! It was suggested in an email that I install an old version of
HRD. I did that (5.24.xxx) and sure enough - all is working just fine now.

Question is:

Is it the fault of a Windows update?

Is it the fault of an updated version of HRD.

Fact is:

It is not the fault of the K3!

The jury of users can figure the rest out - I will merely run the old
version of HRD and enjoy it.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Bill-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

I will amend the above:

It is not the fault of MY K3.

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: HRD slow accessing K3 frequency controls

In reply to this post by Bill-4

Note: The K3/K3S Programmers Reference specifically states that the FA;
command (change frequency) requires 0.5 seconds when changing bands and
that *all command handling is deferred until the process is complete*.

I don't know if band changes enter into the equation for you but if an
earlier version of HRD operated correctly and the current version does
not, the fault would appear to lie with HRD. I suggest you raise a bug
report with HRD LLC either through their support organization, if you
have a current support subscription or via the HRD Support forum
<https://forums.hamradiodeluxe.com/> if you are not a current subscriber.

HRD LLC released 6.4.0.876 yesterday.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2018-08-10 9:33 AM, Bill wrote:

> Got it! It was suggested in an email that I install an old version of
> HRD. I did that (5.24.xxx) and sure enough - all is working just fine now.
>
> Question is:
>
> Is it the fault of a Windows update?
>
> Is it the fault of an updated version of HRD.
>
> Fact is:
>
> It is not the fault of the K3!
>
> The jury of users can figure the rest out - I will merely run the old
> version of HRD and enjoy it.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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