K3: K-pod uses

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K3: K-pod uses

Bill-3
K-pod arrived, various firmware installed, and all is well. I have built
macros for most of the buttons and find the device to be a great
addition to the Genovation keypad and my overall K-Line system.  Thank
you Elecraft for a well designed tool for my user pleasure and convenience.

Regarding macros - their application is only hindered by the user's
imagination. It is so easy to chain them together to make the K3 do
nearly anything. As with all computers, the K3 will do exactly as told.
If the macro pieces are programmed in an incorrect order, the macro will
not operate as planned.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Re: K3: K-pod uses

w2eck
I am trying to decide on ordering the K-Pod but struggling to sort out the possible overlap between the K-Pod, and using a Genovation keypad or a software suite like Win4K3. Using the keypad in conjunction with a P3 allows me to activate many macros with the touch of one key. I also can program many macros in Win4K3 as well as perform almost any K3 button or knob function and change the VFO's with the touch of a mouse.
So would be interested in any observations about what the K-Pod can do over and above the other two choices, to help me decide on ordering the K-Pod

Tnx
Paul
kc2nyu
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Re: K3: K-pod uses

Don Wilhelm
Paul,

If you are completely comfortable with mouse tuning and Win4K3, then you
may not find any advantage for the K-Pod.
I do not like mouse tuning, and am more comfortable with a tuning knob.
Having the knob next to the keyboard is especially nice if you are
mainly using the keyboard - you do not have to move very far from the
keyboard to get to the knob.  The K-Pod can be placed either to the left
or right of the keyboard.
The buttons on the K-Pod can activate up to 16 K3 macros.  K3 Utility
now allows 16 macros to be created/edited and stored in the K3.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/13/2016 11:07 AM, KC2NYU via Elecraft wrote:
> I am trying to decide on ordering the K-Pod but struggling to sort out the
> possible overlap between the K-Pod, and using a Genovation keypad or a
> software suite like Win4K3. Using the keypad in conjunction with a P3 allows
> me to activate many macros with the touch of one key. I also can program
> many macros in Win4K3 as well as perform almost any K3 button or knob
> function and change the VFO's with the touch of a mouse.
>

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Re: K3: K-pod uses

Joe Stone (KF5WBO)
In reply to this post by w2eck

IMHO, the primary advantage of the K-Pod is the weighted knob and corresponding 400-count ball-bearing
optical encoder.  It's the exact same knob / encoder used with the K3.  You can tune the K3 remotely (up to the length of the cable) with the exact same "feel" as if you were turning the VFO A knob on the K3.  Of course, in order to pull this off, the K-Pod must seamlessly support 400 counts per revolution (which is still TBD).

You're absolutely correct in that the P3 supports up to 50 macros.  In conjunction with a keyboard, you have macros coming out of your ears.  In this scenario, the K-Pod programmable switches are definitely secondary.  Not to mention the fact (as I understand it), the K-Pod won't control the P3 markers.

73's

Joe Stone
KF5WBO
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Re: K3: K-pod uses

Elecraft mailing list
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm
Don - thanks for the info, helpful.
73Paul

      From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
 To: KC2NYU <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
 Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 11:18 AM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: K-pod uses
   
Paul,

If you are completely comfortable with mouse tuning and Win4K3, then you
may not find any advantage for the K-Pod.
I do not like mouse tuning, and am more comfortable with a tuning knob.
Having the knob next to the keyboard is especially nice if you are
mainly using the keyboard - you do not have to move very far from the
keyboard to get to the knob.  The K-Pod can be placed either to the left
or right of the keyboard.
The buttons on the K-Pod can activate up to 16 K3 macros.  K3 Utility
now allows 16 macros to be created/edited and stored in the K3.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/13/2016 11:07 AM, KC2NYU via Elecraft wrote:
> I am trying to decide on ordering the K-Pod but struggling to sort out the
> possible overlap between the K-Pod, and using a Genovation keypad or a
> software suite like Win4K3. Using the keypad in conjunction with a P3 allows
> me to activate many macros with the touch of one key. I also can program
> many macros in Win4K3 as well as perform almost any K3 button or knob
> function and change the VFO's with the touch of a mouse.
>



 
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Re: K3: K-pod uses

Bill-3
In reply to this post by w2eck
I am using both the 48 key Genovation and the K-pod. Everything to do
with tuning is on the K-pod along with a mute macro also. All other
things are on the keypad - including direct frequency entry, some
operational macros, and a few net frequencies. I only touch the K3 when
turning on/off.

Bill W2BLC K-Line
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Re: K3: K-pod uses

Bill-3
In reply to this post by w2eck
Forgot to mention: No need of a computer when running the K3 (except
when programming the key pad).

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Re: K3: K-pod uses

Don Butler
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm
I think each operator has his/her own reason(s) for wanting a KPod . and
it's likely that those reasons will vary considerably.  In my case, I want
it for DXing.   I'm a serious DXer .. And am in hog heaven when I'm trying
to break one of those huge major DXpedition pileups .. Not the little
pileups . but a big one when there are so many callers that I really don't
expect to get through .. And, you know, with the DX station's listening
range at 20 khz or more.   Yes, it is true that I do not really need a
K3/KPod to accomplish that .. It can also be done with my 40 year old TS520S
/remote VFO .. Or with any of umpteen other transceivers for that matter.
But it's more fun and lots easier to accomplish with all the right equipment
. which, in my book, includes a  subreceiver equipped K3 or K3S, a P3 .. A
1500 watt amp (sorry Elecraft I prefer my robust Alpha 1500 watt amp) .. And
now I'm adding the KPod to that mix.  To me, the VFO B knob has always been
a major weakness of the K3 .. It doesn't spin so it doesn't have a "spin
dimple" . it's small .. It's clunky when compared to second VFO knobs on
most other high end transceivers . but of course the small size of the K3,
which is also a significant virtue, is the limiting factor here . I have
never been fond of the K3's small VFO B knob . but . the new KPod has now
solved that problem.

I do have my 16 KPod function buttons programmed like everyone else ..
with a few macros and several more simple single command functions just so
they'll be near my hand . but the one I'll be using most is just a simple F8
tap to transmit my callsign (CW or SSB) to crack those big pileups.  I'll be
using the KPod knob to tune through the pileup trying to figure the DX's
listening pattern .... and will finally be able to spin the knob  when
necessary . and when the time is right I'll be tapping that F8 button to
send my callsign.

Now . if we only had some DXpeditionp pileups to bust.. Looks pretty bleak
on the near horizon in that regard.

Don, N5LZ

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don
Wilhelm
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 9:19 AM
To: KC2NYU; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: K-pod uses

Paul,

If you are completely comfortable with mouse tuning and Win4K3, then you may
not find any advantage for the K-Pod.
I do not like mouse tuning, and am more comfortable with a tuning knob.
Having the knob next to the keyboard is especially nice if you are mainly
using the keyboard - you do not have to move very far from the keyboard to
get to the knob.  The K-Pod can be placed either to the left or right of the
keyboard.
The buttons on the K-Pod can activate up to 16 K3 macros.  K3 Utility now
allows 16 macros to be created/edited and stored in the K3.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/13/2016 11:07 AM, KC2NYU via Elecraft wrote:
> I am trying to decide on ordering the K-Pod but struggling to sort out
> the possible overlap between the K-Pod, and using a Genovation keypad
> or a software suite like Win4K3. Using the keypad in conjunction with
> a P3 allows me to activate many macros with the touch of one key. I
> also can program many macros in Win4K3 as well as perform almost any
> K3 button or knob function and change the VFO's with the touch of a mouse.
>

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