K3/10 For Sale or Trade

[Luther Phillips]

I've decided to offer up K3/10 #495 for sale or possible trade. Rig works as
advertised, has the latest firmware, and is in like-new condition. The only
installed option is the 5-pole 500 Hz roofing filter. Built from kit
observing all ESD precautions. Only deviation from instructions was the use
of 2 zinc pan-head screws to secure the output transistors to the bottom
panel. (was short two black screws) Manuals, paperwork, and power cord
included, of course.

Will sell outright for $1,750 (double-boxed shipping and insurance included
to US only). Digital pics available on request.

Would also be very interested in swapping for a loaded Ten-Tec Omni-VI+
(Model 564) in like condition.

Why sell? It's strictly a matter of personal preference, mainly around
ergonomics issues. The Omni-VI rigs have been my main choice for some time.
There's no doubt that the K3 has better selectivity, and probably does a
better job of digging out the weak ones. But, I miss the big display, knobs,
analog S-meter, one-button pushes for band changes, band stacking, bandwith,
etc. I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the VFO
with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.

If interested, please reply direct to: [hidden email]  to hold down list
traffic. I subscribe to the digest, so will not see list replies for some
period of time.

Tnx & 73,
Luther N4UW

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[P.B. Christensen]

>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the VFO
> with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.

That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV button is
probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up periodically
but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand, split mode requires
a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have preferred the K3's REV
button placed either in place of the red Freq. Entry button so that the
right index finger can be used while using the thumb and other fingers to
find the Dx stations listening frequency -- or in the alternative, placement
of the REV button on the lower left of the main VFO so that the right thumb
is used.  I am right-handed so I am naturally biased.

The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX station.
It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX station.  Of
course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes a moot point but
not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.

Paul, W9AC

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Luther B. Phillips wrote

Only deviation from instructions was the use
of 2 zinc pan-head screws to secure the output transistors to the bottom
panel. (was short two black screws)

I did the same when building mine, and so did a couple of other people judging by a couple of recent posts on the Zerobeat K3 forum. I wonder how common this is, and whether Elecraft has actually miscalculated the number of screws required?

[gm3sek]

Paul Christensen wrote:

>>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the
>>VFO with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
>
>That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
>transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV
>button is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
>periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
>split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
>preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
>Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
>thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
>or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
>the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I
>am naturally biased.
>
>The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
>station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
>station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
>moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
>

A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
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[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

   From: "Paul Christensen" <[hidden email]>
   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:07:31 -0400

   >  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the VFO
   > with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.

   That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
   transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV button is
   probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up periodically
   but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand, split mode requires
   a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have preferred the K3's REV
   button placed either in place of the red Freq. Entry button so that the
   right index finger can be used while using the thumb and other fingers to
   find the Dx stations listening frequency -- or in the alternative, placement
   of the REV button on the lower left of the main VFO so that the right thumb
   is used.  I am right-handed so I am naturally biased.

What about reassigning the "Sub" button to REV if no subreceiver is
installed?

I tune left-handed, but the middle three fingers are adequate for
that, and reassignment of the SUB button would mean the left-over
digit could be used for the REVERSE function, with either hand.

73, doug

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[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

What a great idea!!! :-)

Our messages crossed.

73, doug

   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:33:12 +0000
   From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>

   Paul Christensen wrote:
   >>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the
   >>VFO with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
   >
   >That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
   >transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV
   >button is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
   >periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
   >split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
   >preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
   >Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
   >thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
   >or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
   >the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I
   >am naturally biased.
   >
   >The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
   >station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
   >station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
   >moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
   >

   A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
   duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
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[Greg - AB7R]

I'll bring this with Wayne.  If he approves I'll put it on the update list.
The request will be for a menu option to swap the SUB and REV functions.
But remember there won't be an icon to indicate the status.  So once you set
it - it's up to the user to remember.

Greg


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Doug Faunt N6TQS
[phone]
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:39 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade


What a great idea!!! :-)

Our messages crossed.

73, doug

   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:33:12 +0000
   From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>

   Paul Christensen wrote:
   >>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the
   >>VFO with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
   >
   >That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
   >transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV
   >button is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
   >periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
   >split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
   >preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
   >Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
   >thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
   >or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
   >the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I
   >am naturally biased.
   >
   >The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
   >station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
   >station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
   >moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
   >

   A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
   duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
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[P.B. Christensen]

>   A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
>   duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.


> What a great idea!!! :-)

I'll second that motion.

Paul, W9AC
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[Don Brown-4]

Hi
 
I also found the black 4-40 1/4 screws to be short. I had 8-10 of the 3/16 black pan heads, 5 or 6 of the black flatheads and 5 or 6 silver 4-40 1/4 left over. I also had plenty of lockwashers. I just used three of the silver 4-40 1/4 on the transistors in place of the black screws. I think Elecraft needs to increase the number on these 1/4 inch screws and maybe include a couple of spares like the rest of the black hardware. The case screws are the ones that tend to get lost when options or mods are installed so a few extra is always nice.
 
Don Brown
KD5NDB



> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:23:35 -0700> From: [hidden email]> To: [hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade> > > > Luther B. Phillips wrote:> > > > Only deviation from instructions was the use > > of 2 zinc pan-head screws to secure the output transistors to the bottom > > panel. (was short two black screws)> > > I did the same when building mine, and so did a couple of other people> judging by a couple of recent posts on the Zerobeat K3 forum. I wonder how> common this is, and whether Elecraft has actually miscalculated the number> of screws required?> > -----> Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392> G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com> Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf> -- > View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/K3-10-For-Sale-or-Trade-tp16080516p16080801.html> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.> > _______________________________________________> Elecraft mailing list> Post to: [hidden email]> 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_______________________________________________
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[gm3sek]

Greg wrote:
>I'll bring this with Wayne.  If he approves I'll put it on the update list.
>The request will be for a menu option to swap the SUB and REV functions.
>But remember there won't be an icon to indicate the status.  So once you set
>it - it's up to the user to remember.

Sorry, that isn't what I was suggesting.

As far as I can tell, the SUB button is completely dead until the KRX3
is installed. My suggestion was to put that wasted button to use in
radios that don't have the KRX3, by making *both* SUB and REV do exactly
the same.

The difference between the two buttons is their location. REV is good
for two-handed tuning, but as Paul identified, a convenient one-handed
'hold to reverse' function is vital for radios that don't have a second
receiver. The SUB button would add that convenience.

When the KRX3 is installed, the SUB button has to go back to its labeled
function - and that's fine too, because the 'hold to reverse' function
is hardly needed at all (the FT-1000 doesn't even have it).

Swapping SUB and REV is a totally different issue... and I can't see
much reason for wanting that.


73 from Ian GM3SEK

>-----Original Message-----
>From: [hidden email]
>[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Doug Faunt N6TQS
>[phone]
>Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:39 AM
>To: [hidden email]
>Cc: [hidden email]
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade
>
>
>What a great idea!!! :-)
>
>Our messages crossed.
>
>73, doug
>
>   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:33:12 +0000
>   From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>
>
>   Paul Christensen wrote:
>   >>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the
>   >>VFO with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
>   >
>   >That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
>   >transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV
>   >button is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
>   >periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
>   >split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
>   >preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
>   >Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
>   >thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
>   >or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
>   >the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I
>   >am naturally biased.
>   >
>   >The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
>   >station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
>   >station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
>   >moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
>   >
>
>   A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
>   duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
>_______________________________________________

--

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[Greg - AB7R]

Thanks for the clarification Ian.  Will pass it on.

Greg


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Ian White GM3SEK
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:48 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade


Greg wrote:
>I'll bring this with Wayne.  If he approves I'll put it on the update list.
>The request will be for a menu option to swap the SUB and REV functions.
>But remember there won't be an icon to indicate the status.  So once you
set
>it - it's up to the user to remember.

Sorry, that isn't what I was suggesting.

As far as I can tell, the SUB button is completely dead until the KRX3
is installed. My suggestion was to put that wasted button to use in
radios that don't have the KRX3, by making *both* SUB and REV do exactly
the same.

The difference between the two buttons is their location. REV is good
for two-handed tuning, but as Paul identified, a convenient one-handed
'hold to reverse' function is vital for radios that don't have a second
receiver. The SUB button would add that convenience.

When the KRX3 is installed, the SUB button has to go back to its labeled
function - and that's fine too, because the 'hold to reverse' function
is hardly needed at all (the FT-1000 doesn't even have it).

Swapping SUB and REV is a totally different issue... and I can't see
much reason for wanting that.


73 from Ian GM3SEK

>-----Original Message-----
>From: [hidden email]
>[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Doug Faunt N6TQS
>[phone]
>Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:39 AM
>To: [hidden email]
>Cc: [hidden email]
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade
>
>
>What a great idea!!! :-)
>
>Our messages crossed.
>
>73, doug
>
>   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:33:12 +0000
>   From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>
>
>   Paul Christensen wrote:
>   >>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the
>   >>VFO with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
>   >
>   >That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
>   >transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV
>   >button is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
>   >periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
>   >split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
>   >preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
>   >Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
>   >thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
>   >or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
>   >the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I
>   >am naturally biased.
>   >
>   >The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
>   >station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
>   >station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
>   >moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
>   >
>
>   A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
>   duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
>_______________________________________________

--

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[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

What Ian said.  The button has no useful function currently with only
one RX.  In fact, maybe having a different keycap for single and
dual-RX K3's would be an option?  It's been a while since I had mine
apart.

73, doug

   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:48:10 +0000
   From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>

   Sorry, that isn't what I was suggesting.

   As far as I can tell, the SUB button is completely dead until the KRX3
   is installed. My suggestion was to put that wasted button to use in
   radios that don't have the KRX3, by making *both* SUB and REV do exactly
   the same.

   The difference between the two buttons is their location. REV is good
   for two-handed tuning, but as Paul identified, a convenient one-handed
   'hold to reverse' function is vital for radios that don't have a second
   receiver. The SUB button would add that convenience.

   When the KRX3 is installed, the SUB button has to go back to its labeled
   function - and that's fine too, because the 'hold to reverse' function
   is hardly needed at all (the FT-1000 doesn't even have it).

   Swapping SUB and REV is a totally different issue... and I can't see
   much reason for wanting that.

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[w7aqk]

That could be a very good thing Greg.  I agree with the
comments about the reverse button.  When I was chasing the
Ducie Island and Clipperton Island folks, I found it very
easy to hit the wrong button when trying to check the
reverse frequency.  It was mostly operator error, but things
get so frantic trying to work DX using split, it is hard not
to make a mistake now and then.  Of course, the 2nd RX will
help a bunch when it becomes available.

While we are on the subject of ergonomics and ease of
operator use, I might toss out another feature I wish we
could have--don't know if it's possible, but it would be
nice.  On my FT-1000MP Mark V, I have a wired remote pad
which allows me to do certain things.  For example, I can
trigger the memory buttons.  I find that to be a very handy
thing when I am having to repeatedly send from the memory.
On RTTY or CW I could send my call or whatever by just
pushing a button on a pad instead of reaching up so often to
hit the button on the TXCVR itself.  It can actually get a
little tiring doing that.  A pad like this might also be
able to trigger the reverse button.  Using the buttons on
the rig itself is fine usually, but when frequent repeated
uses are called for , an accessory pad like this might work
better.  I realize this may not be possible with the K3, and
if it is it would be an accessory option, but it would be
handy.

Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg" <[hidden email]>
To: "Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]" <[hidden email]>;
<[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:51 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade

> I'll bring this with Wayne.  If he approves I'll put it on
> the update list.
> The request will be for a menu option to swap the SUB and
> REV functions.
> But remember there won't be an icon to indicate the
> status.  So once you set
> it - it's up to the user to remember.
>
> Greg
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Doug
> Faunt N6TQS
> [phone]
> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 9:39 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade
>
>
> What a great idea!!! :-)
>
> Our messages crossed.
>
> 73, doug
>
>   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:33:12 +0000
>   From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>
>
>   Paul Christensen wrote:
>   >>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button
> and tune the
>   >>VFO with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI
> than the K3.
>   >
>   >That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced
> with most other
>   >transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement
> of the REV
>   >button is probably the most critical.   Other controls
> maybe touched up
>   >periodically but when you're working split with a
> paddle in one hand,
>   >split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand
> operation.  I would have
>   >preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of
> the red Freq.
>   >Entry button so that the right index finger can be used
> while using the
>   >thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations
> listening frequency --
>   >or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on
> the lower left of
>   >the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am
> right-handed so I
>   >am naturally biased.
>   >
>   >The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this
> dilemma as the DX
>   >station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying
> to work the DX
>   >station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered,
> this all becomes
>   >moot point but not everyone will want the optional
> sub-rx.
>   >
>
>   A useful feature for K3s that don't have the
> sub-receiver would be to
>   duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
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[Bill W4ZV]

Luther B. Phillips wrote

I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the VFO
with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.

Interesting.  This came up fairly recently either here or on the K3 Yahoo Group.  I used a TS-930S for many years and learned to depress TF-SET (Kenwood's equivalent to REV) with my left index finger and tune the Main VFO with my left pinky.  Since I found it very natural to do the same with REV in the K3, out of curiosity I actually measured the distance of both rigs from the TF-SET/REV button to the edge of the Main VFO knob.  Both are ~4"...which explains why the K3 felt very natural to me.  I do have big hands (~10" thumb tip to pinky tip) so this probably doesn't work for people with smaller spans.  BTW I suspect the 930/940 probably had more all time units in the field than any other rig.  

73,  Bill  W4ZV

[John E. Reiser]

I don't have any trouble holding the REV button on my K3 with my index
finger while turning the VFO A knob with my thumb.  I do that a lot working
DX like Ducie.  Maybe it's a question of getting used to the placement of
the button with a new radio.

I have never used an Omni-VI, so I don't know whether its front-panel layout
is easier to use or not.

Just wanted to get my 2 cents worth in on this thread before it becomes
accepted truth that the K3 layout is hard to use.  It's plenty easy for me.

73,  John, W2GW


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian White GM3SEK" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade

> Paul Christensen wrote:
>>>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the VFO
>>> with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
>>
>>That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
>>transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV button
>>is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
>>periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
>>split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
>>preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
>>Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
>>thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
>>or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
>>the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I am
>>naturally biased.
>>
>>The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
>>station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
>>station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
>>moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
>>
>
> A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
> duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
>
>
> --
>
> 73 from Ian GM3SEK
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[ab2tc]

Why not use the A/B button instead of REV when working split? No acrobatics necessary. Tap it once, tune the other frequency, tap it again and you are back where you started.

73 de ab2tc - Knut


<quote author="John Reiser-3">
I don't have any trouble holding the REV button on my K3 with my index
finger while turning the VFO A knob with my thumb.  I do that a lot working
DX like Ducie.  Maybe it's a question of getting used to the placement of
the button with a new radio.

I have never used an Omni-VI, so I don't know whether its front-panel layout
is easier to use or not.

Just wanted to get my 2 cents worth in on this thread before it becomes
accepted truth that the K3 layout is hard to use.  It's plenty easy for me.

73,  John, W2GW


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian White GM3SEK" <[e-mail]>
To: <[e-mail]>
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 12:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 For Sale or Trade


> Paul Christensen wrote:
>>>  I also find it is much easier to hold the REV button and tune the VFO
>>> with one hand when working split on the Omni-VI than the K3.
>>
>>That's one K3 limitation that I have not experienced with most other
>>transceivers.   Of all the panel buttons, the placement of the REV button
>>is probably the most critical.   Other controls maybe touched up
>>periodically but when you're working split with a paddle in one hand,
>>split mode requires a very ergonomic one-hand operation.  I would have
>>preferred the K3's REV button placed either in place of the red Freq.
>>Entry button so that the right index finger can be used while using the
>>thumb and other fingers to find the Dx stations listening frequency --
>>or in the alternative, placement of the REV button on the lower left of
>>the main VFO so that the right thumb is used.  I am right-handed so I am
>>naturally biased.
>>
>>The Ducie guys with their K3s never ran into this dilemma as the DX
>>station. It manifests only for the mere mortals trying to work the DX
>>station.  Of course, when the sub-receiver is offered, this all becomes
>>moot point but not everyone will want the optional sub-rx.
>>
>
> A useful feature for K3s that don't have the sub-receiver would be to
> duplicate the REV function on the SUB button.
>
>
<snip>

[Bill Steffey NY9H]

During Clipperton & Ducie  I found myself,  ( AS DID SEVERAL OTHERS  :(   )
     out of band calling after I managed to hit the UN-split button
missing the REV button. I don't need any help looking stupid.

Using the single rcvr SUB button as REV makes great sense to me.

bill  

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[Bill W4ZV]

Bill W4ZV wrote

I used a TS-930S for many years and learned to depress TF-SET (Kenwood's equivalent to REV) with my left index finger and tune the Main VFO with my left pinky.  Since I found it very natural to do the same with REV in the K3, out of curiosity I actually measured the distance of both rigs from the TF-SET/REV button to the edge of the Main VFO knob.  Both are ~4"...which explains why the K3 felt very natural to me.  

Correction...make that 4" from the TF-SET/REV button to the *center* of the Main VFO knobs.  

Also I would personally find it very difficult to do REV using the K3's SUB button due to the very tight spacing of the SUB location.  There's simply no way my fingers would fit while depressing SUB and trying to turn the VFO knob with another finger.  The spacing is far too tight, not to mention the position of SUB being very low even with the bail extended.  To me it looks more like a two-hand operation than one-hand due to the very tight spacing.  Maybe a Menu option could make everyone happy, but I like it the way it is now.

73,  Bill

[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

   Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:15:58 -0700 (PDT)
   From: Bill W4ZV <[hidden email]>

   Also I would personally find it very difficult to do REV using the K3's SUB
   button due to the very tight spacing of the SUB location.  There's simply no
   way my fingers would fit while depressing SUB and trying to turn the VFO
   knob with another finger.  The spacing is far too tight, not to mention the
   position of SUB being very low even with the bail extended.  To me it looks
   more like a two-hand operation than one-hand due to the very tight spacing.
   Maybe a Menu option could make everyone happy, but I like it the way it is
   now.

Err, what Ian and I are suggesting would not in any way interfer with
your doing it that way.  It would just allow those of us with smaller
hands (and those who might prefer lower hands and/or higher radios) to
have a more convenient function, using a button that is currently
serving no useful purpose.  You'd lose nothing, others would gain.

73, doug

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[Ed K1EP]

At 3/16/2008 03:05 PM, Bill NY9H wrote:
>During Clipperton & Ducie  I found myself,  ( AS DID SEVERAL OTHERS  :(   )
>     out of band calling after I managed to hit the UN-split button
> missing the REV button. I don't need any help looking stupid.
>
>Using the single rcvr SUB button as REV makes great sense to me.

I found that somehow the split function got turned off (by some
software combination or band switching combination) and I was called
UP several times.  I found the SPLIT SAVE function, which greatly
helped me out there.

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