K3 Split Operations

[W0JFR]

Is it possible to receive on VFO B, and transmit on VFO A? If so, how?

[N5GE]

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:31:27 -0700 (PDT), W0JFR <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
>Is it possible to receive on VFO B, and transmit on VFO A? If so, how?
Set VFO A to the RX freq, set it to the mode you want, tap the A > B button,
tap the A/B button and swap the VFOs to make sure Both VFOs are set to the same
mode.  Now hold the A>B button for at least a half second.  You will now be
transmitting on VFO B and Receiving on VFO A.

This is a little more detailed than the instructions on page 34 of the K3 Owners
Manual under SPLIT Operation at the top left of the page.

If you don't have your K3 yet, I suggest you download the manual from
http://elecraft.com/ and select Manuals and downloads.

73,

Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

"Those who would give up
Essential Liberty to
purchase a little Temporary
Safety deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety"

An excerpt from a letter
written in 1755 from the
Assembly to the Governor
of Pennsylvania.

Support the entire Constitution, not
just the parts you like.

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE

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[w7aqk]

I was confused at first by W0JFR's query.  I think what he is asking is if
you can simply reverse the split process so that you are transmitting on "A"
and receiving on "B".  But I don't think you can actually do that--not
without swapping the frequencies with the A>B button first.  In split
operation, the transmit freq. will always be what is shown in the "B"
position on the display.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Childers, N5GE" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 7:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split Operations


On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:31:27 -0700 (PDT), W0JFR <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>
>Is it possible to receive on VFO B, and transmit on VFO A? If so, how?
Set VFO A to the RX freq, set it to the mode you want, tap the A > B button,
tap the A/B button and swap the VFOs to make sure Both VFOs are set to the
same
mode.  Now hold the A>B button for at least a half second.  You will now be
transmitting on VFO B and Receiving on VFO A.

This is a little more detailed than the instructions on page 34 of the K3
Owners
Manual under SPLIT Operation at the top left of the page.

If you don't have your K3 yet, I suggest you download the manual from
http://elecraft.com/ and select Manuals and downloads.

73,

Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

"Those who would give up
Essential Liberty to
purchase a little Temporary
Safety deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety"

An excerpt from a letter
written in 1755 from the
Assembly to the Governor
of Pennsylvania.

Support the entire Constitution, not
just the parts you like.

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE

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[gm3sek]

Tom Childers, N5GE wrote:
>>Is it possible to receive on VFO B, and transmit on VFO A? If so, how?
>Set VFO A to the RX freq, set it to the mode you want, tap the A > B
>button, tap the A/B button and swap the VFOs to make sure Both VFOs are
>set to the same mode.  Now hold the A>B button for at least a half
>second.  You will now be transmitting on VFO B and Receiving on VFO A.
>
>This is a little more detailed than the instructions on page 34 of the
>K3 Owners Manual under SPLIT Operation at the top left of the page.
>

I am seriously missing the AUTO SPLIT option which is available on many
other rigs. If configured, the SPLIT button automatically switches VFO B
to the same mode as VFO A, and then applies a pre-selected frequency
offset to VFO B (usually "up 1"). One press of a button and you're ready
to begin tuning the pileup.

By comparison, the K3  is much less nimble. Getting into the correct
configuration for split operation involves too many traps for the
unwary, the over-excited or the sleep-deprived ... and split operation
can involve all three of those conditions.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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[ab2tc]

Hi,

I don't think this is a problem with K3 at all. All you need to do for split operation is to start by pressing A->B when on the DX' TX frequency. Now both VFOs have the same frequency and modes. Enable SPLIT. Now you can start hunting for (or guessing) the DX' listen frequency, once you find it, press A/B and call the DX. The important part is to establishing a starting point with the A->B button, much like the AUTO SPLIT you were asking for (I have never seen AUTO SPLIT but I haven't tried that many radios).

Knut - AB2TC

GM3SEK wrote

Tom Childers, N5GE wrote:
>>Is it possible to receive on VFO B, and transmit on VFO A? If so, how?
>Set VFO A to the RX freq, set it to the mode you want, tap the A > B
>button, tap the A/B button and swap the VFOs to make sure Both VFOs are
>set to the same mode.  Now hold the A>B button for at least a half
>second.  You will now be transmitting on VFO B and Receiving on VFO A.
>
>This is a little more detailed than the instructions on page 34 of the
>K3 Owners Manual under SPLIT Operation at the top left of the page.
>

I am seriously missing the AUTO SPLIT option which is available on many
other rigs. If configured, the SPLIT button automatically switches VFO B
to the same mode as VFO A, and then applies a pre-selected frequency
offset to VFO B (usually "up 1"). One press of a button and you're ready
to begin tuning the pileup.

By comparison, the K3  is much less nimble. Getting into the correct
configuration for split operation involves too many traps for the
unwary, the over-excited or the sleep-deprived ... and split operation
can involve all three of those conditions.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
<snip>

[gm3sek]

ab2tc wrote:
>
>I don't think this is a problem with K3 at all. All you need to do for
>split operation is to start by pressing A->B when on the DX' TX
>frequency. Now both VFOs have the same frequency and modes.

Not here: VFO B comes to the same frequency as VFO A, but NOT the same
mode (that's with the latest firmware).  A search through the archives
reveals this had been a problem once, but was said to have been fixed
several versions back.

>Enable SPLIT. Now you can start hunting for (or guessing) the DX'
>listen frequency, once you find it, press A/B and call the DX. The
>important part is to establishing a starting point with the A->B button,

Agreed, that's how it should happen. The pre-configurable offset is a
minor refinement to save time (although it also has a different use for
repeater splits).

>much like the AUTO SPLIT you were asking for (I have never seen AUTO
>SPLIT but I haven't tried that many radios).
>




--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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[KK7P]

>> I don't think this is a problem with K3 at all. All you need to do for
>> split operation is to start by pressing A->B when on the DX' TX
>> frequency. Now both VFOs have the same frequency and modes.
>
> Not here: VFO B comes to the same frequency as VFO A, but NOT the same
> mode (that's with the latest firmware).

double tap to transfer the rest of the settings.

73,

Lyle KK7P

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[gm3sek]

Lyle Johnson wrote:
>>> I don't think this is a problem with K3 at all. All you need to do
>>>for split operation is to start by pressing A->B when on the DX' TX
>>>frequency. Now both VFOs have the same frequency and modes.
>>  Not here: VFO B comes to the same frequency as VFO A, but NOT the
>>same  mode (that's with the latest firmware).
>
>double tap to transfer the rest of the settings.
>

Thanks, Lyle... though that is counter-intuitive compared with any of my
previous rigs.

It reinforces the request for a separate auto-split option that could
have a completely different (and dare I add, more conventional?)
behavior.



--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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[W0JFR]

You're right David, I'd like to listen on VFO B and transmit on VFO A. I could do this on the K2. The reason I'd like to do it is because my antenna tuning is based on the VFO A frequency. When you have big splits, you really need the antenna tuned for the transmit frequency. It doesn't appear the K3 can do this.
  - John, W0JFR


<quote author="David Yarnes">
I was confused at first by W0JFR's query.  I think what he is asking is if
you can simply reverse the split process so that you are transmitting on "A"
and receiving on "B".  But I don't think you can actually do that--not
without swapping the frequencies with the A>B button first.  In split
operation, the transmit freq. will always be what is shown in the "B"
position on the display.

Dave W7AQK

[Julian, G4ILO]

W0JFR wrote

You're right David, I'd like to listen on VFO B and transmit on VFO A. I could do this on the K2. The reason I'd like to do it is because my antenna tuning is based on the VFO A frequency. When you have big splits, you really need the antenna tuned for the transmit frequency. It doesn't appear the K3 can do this.

I assume that the reason for this is that the second RX, if fitted, will listen on VFO B. Therefore VFO A is always the main RX.

I don't see what difference it makes to the K3 *user*, since unlike the K2 there is no indication on the display of which VFO is in use for receiving. It *does* make a difference for the software developer, since if you are changing the frequency by software control you have to figure out which VFO is being used. For the K3 you just set VFO A every time, which is simpler.

[Julian, G4ILO]

GM3SEK wrote

Thanks, Lyle... though that is counter-intuitive compared with any of my
previous rigs.

It reinforces the request for a separate auto-split option that could
have a completely different (and dare I add, more conventional?)
behavior.

I doubt if that would be possible without redesigning the front panel - unless it is possible to make the PF buttons take "macros" comprising several key clicks.

If you are using logging software that can send CAT commands it should be possible to program it. You would just need to send the equivalent of A>B, A>B, VFO B UP 1KHz, SPLIT, I think.

[Alexandr Kobranov]

Maybe I do not understand correctly but why to define PF and macros etc ?
If (suggested) menu item AUTO SPLIT will be OFF all will be as today is.
If (suggested) menu item AUTO SPLIT will be let say 5 (or -3) then ANY
SPLIT activation will cause +5kHz (or -3kHz) offset between TX and RX.
(TX will be at VFO-B)
Yes, this is about comfort and speed only, there is several ways how
to set it today, this is not serious problem imho.

But maybe I missed something important and the problem and firmware
additional suggestion is more complicated :-(
(Possible in deep explanation pls directly to my mail....I will be
happy to understand this more complex...)

BTW macro definition for PF button is also gret idea :-)

73,
Lexa, OK1DST
K3/10 #727



G4ILO napsal(a):

>
> GM3SEK wrote:
>> Thanks, Lyle... though that is counter-intuitive compared with any of my
>> previous rigs.
>>
>> It reinforces the request for a separate auto-split option that could
>> have a completely different (and dare I add, more conventional?)
>> behavior.
>>
>>
> I doubt if that would be possible without redesigning the front panel -
> unless it is possible to make the PF buttons take "macros" comprising
> several key clicks.
>
> If you are using logging software that can send CAT commands it should be
> possible to program it. You would just need to send the equivalent of A>B,
> A>B, VFO B UP 1KHz, SPLIT, I think.
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO  K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392
> G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
> Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf

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[gm3sek]

G4ILO wrote:
>I doubt if that would be possible without redesigning the front panel -
>unless it is possible to make the PF buttons take "macros" comprising
>several key clicks.
>
That isn't necessary. As Lexa has correctly identified, I was thinking
of a firmware option that would do all the necessary actions for
auto-split with one push of the SPLIT button. That option to completely
change the behavior of the SPLIT button already exists in many
transceivers.

>If you are using logging software that can send CAT commands it should
>be possible to program it. You would just need to send the equivalent
>of A>B,
>A>B, VFO B UP 1KHz, SPLIT, I think.

Many logging programs can extract split data from Cluster spots, and set
up the two VFO frequencies accordingly. However, we're talking here
about the capabilities of the rig itself.


The major point is about compatibility with facilities that have been
available in some transceivers for many years. Those established models
have become built into high-performance stations, and together they have
come to define how a high-end transceiver is expected to behave. To
penetrate that segment of the market and displace some of those existing
rigs, the K3 needs to equal the best of all our existing expectations...
and then give us more.

This irony is that the K3 has already achieved the "more" part!  But
there is still work to be done to improve compatibility with existing
expectations. These include both the front-panel interface with the
operator and the rear-panel interface with existing station hardware.

Some of these are refinements, so they can never claim absolute priority
over basic functional upgrades. However, they do need to be discussed
among potential users - and always with the clear understanding that "We
discuss; then Elecraft decides."




--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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