K3 Computer control

[David Fleming-4]

Oh my.. You guys are costing me a fortune.  I've just finished getting
my K2 fully loaded - and now this.

I really don't *need* that much radio, but I'll end up getting one
anyway.  If for no other reason, just so I can write some Mac control
software for it.  Speaking of that, I'm full of questions regarding
computer control.  Does the K3 use the same command structure as the
K2 (SW; DS; IF; etc) ?  Are you using encoders rather than pots for RF
and AF gain?  Will menu navigation  be better supported than on the K2
(if only the annunciator byte would follow the menu)?  Will you
publish the commands necessary to do firmware updates or will that be
proprietary?  I second (or third) the vote for "wake on serial".  

I'm curious if you developed the  psk, tty decode/encode software in
house?  I'm sure that was a challenge. I've been researching the topic
and hope to eventually build that functionality into my K2 control
software. Most challenging indeed, for me.

Congrats on the new release! I'm sure these are exciting times for all
of you at Elecraft. I wish you much success..

On Top of the World - K3

-David W4SMT

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[wayne burdick]

David Fleming wrote:

> Does the K3 use the same command structure as the
> K2 (SW; DS; IF; etc) ?

Yes, with many new commands. Initially it will emulate the K2, and
we'll grow the command set as time permits.


> Are you using encoders rather than pots for RF
> and AF gain?

Everything is controlled by encoders except main/sub AF gain, RF gain,
and squelch. But these pots are read by the computer, so the
remote-control interface can "capture" all of the parameters. The pots
would take control only if rotated again by the operator.


> Will menu navigation  be better supported than on the K2
> (if only the annunciator byte would follow the menu)?

Yes, but the details aren't settled yet.


> Will you
> publish the commands necessary to do firmware updates or will that be
> proprietary?

All command details will be published.


> I second (or third) the vote for "wake on serial".

Right now it's "turn-on by grounding the /POWER-ON line". This will
require a logic line or contact closure from the computer. Wake-up on
serial requires that the MCU be powered, or that the I/O card have a
powered comparator. Maybe in a future hardware revision -- can't
guarantee it for first shipments.

But hey, the K3 is modular for just this sort of reason  :)


>
> I'm curious if you developed the  psk, tty decode/encode software in
> house?

Yes.


> I'm sure that was a challenge. I've been researching the topic
> and hope to eventually build that functionality into my K2 control
> software. Most challenging indeed, for me.

It's a combination of DSP and MCU code in the K3, and works very well.
A lot of hair was lost in Belmont CA and Mt. Vernon WA during this
process  ;)


>
> Congrats on the new release! I'm sure these are exciting times for all
> of you at Elecraft. I wish you much success..

Thanks!

Would you like to write a Mac version of the K3 Downloader, presently
written in Microsoft C-sharp?

73,
Wayne
N6KR


---

http://www.elecraft.com

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[KK7P]

> Oh my.. You guys are costing me a fortune.  I've just finished getting
> my K2 fully loaded - and now this.

:-)

> I really don't *need* that much radio, but I'll end up getting one
> anyway.  If for no other reason, just so I can write some Mac control
> software for it.  Speaking of that, I'm full of questions regarding
> computer control.  Does the K3 use the same command structure as the
> K2 (SW; DS; IF; etc) ?

K3 commands are a superset of the K2 command set.

> Are you using encoders rather than pots for RF
> and AF gain?

We're using dual concentric pots.  BUT... the posts just provide a DC
voltage read by an ADC.  Thus, the pots functions can be commanded over
the serial port.

> Will menu navigation  be better supported than on the K2
> (if only the annunciator byte would follow the menu)?  Will you
> publish the commands necessary to do firmware updates or will that be
> proprietary?  I second (or third) the vote for "wake on serial".  

I'll punt to Wayne for the above.

> I'm curious if you developed the  psk, tty decode/encode software in
> house?  

Yes, we did.

73,

Lyle KK7P

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[Simon (HB9DRV)]

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Fleming" <[hidden email]>
>
> I really don't *need* that much radio, but I'll end up getting one
> anyway.  If for no other reason, just so I can write some Mac control
> software for it.
>

Similar story here, except my software is Windows-based. With the K3's
ability to accept firmware updates and the feedback from Wayne that the CAT
set will grow the only way I will be able to properly support the K3 is if I
own one myself, sending executables back-and-forth is maddening. I'll buy
the kit - I have some screwdrivers, reading glasses and nice bright table
lamps.

I was very lucky with the K2 - my friend Peter PH1PH (now SK) owned a K2 so
there was no problem getting the support in place.

Later today there will be about $3,000 heading to Elecraft courtesy of my
credit card. I don't mind paying this - in one day I have had more feedback
from the developers of the K3 than I have ever had from ICOM Kenwood and
Yaesu combined.

The most crucial future component is the panoramic display - no-one has made
this data available via CAT commands (I am excluding Flex Radio's SDR-x000
for now). Once this data is available the K3 will surpass the IC-7800 I used
to own. I see this as being essential for the K3 to become the top
traditional (not SDR) Ham radio in every respect.

The K3 could be a hot topic for the RSGB HF Convention in October.

http://www.rsgb.org/hfc/ 

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[dj7mgq]

> Would you like to write a Mac version of the K3 Downloader,
> presently written in Microsoft C-sharp?

If you used .Net, then check to see if it won't run under Mono and /or
GnuDotNet (Portable Net).

If it does, then getting to run under Mac-OS X and/or Linux might not
be too difficult.

http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page
http://www.gnu.org/software/dotgnu/

vy 73 de toby

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[Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR]

On Sunday 29 April 2007 01:52, wayne burdick wrote:

> Would you like to write a Mac version of the K3 Downloader, presently
> written in Microsoft C-sharp?

  Is there room in the firmware to run a minimal http server?
If a browser could be used to load firmware, cross machine
architecture would be supported at once.
  I use OpenWRT in my Linksys wireless router and use Konqueror
on a Kubuntu gnu/linux system to load firmware.

Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #4962
--
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