K3/P3 and Pigknob
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To those who have had experience with the Pigknob and K3/P3, are there any issues?
Bill K6IFF |
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Not sure what you mean by issues. If you're referring to problems
making it work, I had none [K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500]. The back of my radio "rack" gives new meaning to the term "wireless," so the extra wires associated with the little PK interface board blended right in. :-) I was a bit overwhelmed at first by the number of things I could program so I decided to work on the knob first. The knob is a "tap switch" as well as a rotate-doober, and you can program CCW and CC K3 commands for both of the switch positions. I finally converged on a set of PK commands and settings for the K3 Big Knob resolution that give me: 10Hz on 1 PK setting [CW and RTTY] 50Hz on the other [SSB] I run the K3 at 10Hz ... 2 digits to right of decimal point ... most of the time. I normally tune with the PK. If I want to QSY quickly, I can crank the K3 quickly because the knob is bigger and spins. If I really want to QSY fast [like from the bottom of 80 to the upper reaches of 75 or on 10], I grab the Big Knob, briefly hold the FINE button with a finger, and I'm usually there before I realize it. YMMV My big problem with the buttons has nothing to do with the PK, it's figuring out what I want them to do. So far, I've got 3 of the 8 programmed, but haven't used any of them except to test the macro. I use FoxTerm to program it, it's really easy, and Nick responds to questions very quickly. I got it because my K3 is on a shelf immediately above the KPA500 which is too heavy for the shelf, and the elevated Big Knob was aggravating old injuries in my arm/shoulder, particularly in contests. The desk is built-in and kind of forces a right-ish configuration for the radio gear and I'm left-handed. So, the PK is on the left of the laptop next to mouse, arm rests on desk while tuning, and I'm a happy ham. Still experimenting with hold-down methods that will keep it anchored and yet let me move it around. The mouse pad I'm using now seems close to ideal. Hope this helps. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - www.cqp.org On 11/18/2013 9:58 AM, Bill Myers wrote: > To those who have had experience with the Pigknob and K3/P3, are there any > issues? > > Bill K6IFF ______________________________________________________________ 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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Great input, Fred. I placed an order.
The "issues" that I had concern about were mostly if the PN would have any impact on the P3 performance. I'm absolutely addicted to the P3, and any problems there would be a deal-breaker. My K3 and P3 are on a shelf so that both are at eye-level, while the keyer, paddles and keyboard are below at desk level. In situations where VFO B, or RIT need constant attention for long periods (dx pile ups, run mode in contests), I get up from the operating chair with a distinctive "S" hook in my back. That probably involves age and arthritis as well, but still, it's a pretty good justification for adding another accessory to the K3/P3! The PN will put VFO B and RIT control at desk level. Thanks for your response, Fred. Bill K6IFF |
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Hi Bill,
I know of a few folks using the knob with both the P3 and K3. The only issue I'm aware of is if you want to program a P3 macro into one of the programmable knob push buttons you have to prefix the command with a semi-colon. For example, if you wanted to send the P3 command to set the span to 50 kHZ, "#SPN000500;" you'd have to program the PK button to ";#SPN000500;", note the leading semi-colon. I wasn't able to work out why this is but it works. This is only a problem for commands going to the P3, button macros going through the P3 to the K3 don't need this semi-colon prefix. I'll drop your knob in the mail tomorrow. Also, I do full-refund returns; if you feel it's not for you just let me know. 73, Nick N3WG On Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 6:13 PM, Bill Myers <[hidden email]> wrote: > Great input, Fred. I placed an order. > > The "issues" that I had concern about were mostly if the PN would have any > impact on the P3 performance. I'm absolutely addicted to the P3, and any > problems there would be a deal-breaker. > > My K3 and P3 are on a shelf so that both are at eye-level, while the keyer, > paddles and keyboard are below at desk level. In situations where VFO B, > or > RIT need constant attention for long periods (dx pile ups, run mode in > contests), I get up from the operating chair with a distinctive "S" hook in > my back. That probably involves age and arthritis as well, but still, it's > a pretty good justification for adding another accessory to the K3/P3! The > PN will put VFO B and RIT control at desk level. > > Thanks for your response, Fred. > > Bill K6IFF > > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-P3-and-Pigknob-tp7580944p7580953.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > 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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Hello Nick,
I actually hadn't considered controlling the P3 with the knob, but that does open up some interesting possibilities. I look forward to experimenting with the options. Thanks for your quick response. 73 Bill K6IFF |
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