K3 "operating scripts" to help first-time users

[wayne burdick]

Hi all,

While working on the next revision of the owner's manual, I've been
thinking that it gives a decidedly top-down (deductive) look at the
K3's controls and features. But for many people, a bottom-up
(inductive) approach leads to quicker results.

Imagine if, as a new user of the K3, you could have an "expert" looking
over your shoulder. He could step you through a series of actions to
set the radio up for a particular operating scenario, pointing out the
rig's powerful features along the way.

This is the idea behind "operating scripts." I'm imagining one or
two-page .html documents that can be either viewed on-line or printed.
Each would have a very specific title, something like:

    K3 Operating Script: CW DXing on 40 m

And an introduction, e.g.:

    This script will step you through a typical weak-signal DXing session
    with the K3, in this case on 40 m. This band offers several unique
    challenges (QRN, QRM) and opportunities (like gray-line long-path to
    Asia or Africa). It's a great vehicle for demonstrating the K3's
    noise blanking and filtering, as well as diversity receive with the
    sub receiver.... (etc.)

It might be formatted as a table with two columns. The first would
provide unambiguous instructions, and the second could provide expected
observations, variations on commands, or helpful tips. Here's an
example:

------------- Action -------------         ----------------- Notes
------------------

Switch to 40 m by tapping BAND UP/DN       Also try: FREQ ENT, '7000',
'<-' on keypad

Tap MODE UP/DN to get to CW mode

Hold NORM (hold function of SHIFT/LO       Sets overall passband to 400
Hz; "wings" appear
knob)                                      on the DSP graphic to show
passband is normalized

Etc.

Here's where your creativity comes in! Lead the new user through a
typical session, dealing with The Dragon, searching for DX, narrowing
down the passband using WIDTH, NORM ALT1/2, or presets I/II, notching
out big broadcast station carriers.... you get the idea.

I haven't thought it through much beyond that. But it's safe to say
that we'd accept accurate (tested) scripts from K3 owners and create a
page for them on our web site.

If you'd like to try your hand at this, feel free to send an example
script to me, and also copy it to Greg (AB7R), ab7r AT cablespeed DOT
com.

Some scripts I'd like to see:

   - 6 meter FM and repeaters
   - Making the most of stereo speakers/phones (AFX, etc.)
   - Pileup management in SPLIT mode
   - Exploring the filter passband controls
   - Filter setup: CONFIG menu vs. K3 Utility
   - RTTY QSOs without a computer
   - Setting up and using PC soundcard I/O

73,
Wayne, N6KR

---

http://www.elecraft.com

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[Doug Alspaugh]

Since I am struggling with the current format that sounds great to me



73 Doug N3QW
----- Original Message -----
From: "wayne burdick" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 11:47
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 "operating scripts" to help first-time users

> Hi all,
>
> While working on the next revision of the owner's manual, I've been
> thinking that it gives a decidedly top-down (deductive) look at the
> K3's controls and features. But for many people, a bottom-up
> (inductive) approach leads to quicker results.
>
> Imagine if, as a new user of the K3, you could have an "expert" looking
> over your shoulder. He could step you through a series of actions to
> set the radio up for a particular operating scenario, pointing out the
> rig's powerful features along the way.
>
> This is the idea behind "operating scripts." I'm imagining one or
> two-page .html documents that can be either viewed on-line or printed.
> Each would have a very specific title, something like:
>
>    K3 Operating Script: CW DXing on 40 m
>
> And an introduction, e.g.:
>
>    This script will step you through a typical weak-signal DXing session
>    with the K3, in this case on 40 m. This band offers several unique
>    challenges (QRN, QRM) and opportunities (like gray-line long-path to
>    Asia or Africa). It's a great vehicle for demonstrating the K3's
>    noise blanking and filtering, as well as diversity receive with the
>    sub receiver.... (etc.)
>
> It might be formatted as a table with two columns. The first would
> provide unambiguous instructions, and the second could provide expected
> observations, variations on commands, or helpful tips. Here's an
> example:
>
> ------------- Action -------------         ----------------- Notes
> ------------------
>
> Switch to 40 m by tapping BAND UP/DN       Also try: FREQ ENT, '7000',
> '<-' on keypad
>
> Tap MODE UP/DN to get to CW mode
>
> Hold NORM (hold function of SHIFT/LO       Sets overall passband to 400
> Hz; "wings" appear
> knob)                                      on the DSP graphic to show
> passband is normalized
>
> Etc.
>
> Here's where your creativity comes in! Lead the new user through a
> typical session, dealing with The Dragon, searching for DX, narrowing
> down the passband using WIDTH, NORM ALT1/2, or presets I/II, notching
> out big broadcast station carriers.... you get the idea.
>
> I haven't thought it through much beyond that. But it's safe to say
> that we'd accept accurate (tested) scripts from K3 owners and create a
> page for them on our web site.
>
> If you'd like to try your hand at this, feel free to send an example
> script to me, and also copy it to Greg (AB7R), ab7r AT cablespeed DOT
> com.
>
> Some scripts I'd like to see:
>
>   - 6 meter FM and repeaters
>   - Making the most of stereo speakers/phones (AFX, etc.)
>   - Pileup management in SPLIT mode
>   - Exploring the filter passband controls
>   - Filter setup: CONFIG menu vs. K3 Utility
>   - RTTY QSOs without a computer
>   - Setting up and using PC soundcard I/O
>
> 73,
> Wayne, N6KR
>
> ---
>
> http://www.elecraft.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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[N5GE]

On Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:47:36 -0700, wayne burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:

[snip]
>Imagine if, as a new user of the K3, you could have an "expert" looking
>over your shoulder. He could step you through a series of actions to
>set the radio up for a particular operating scenario, pointing out the
>rig's powerful features along the way.
[snip]

Excellent!

I believe you have hit on something revolutionary!  The most valuable learning
experiences I've had during my lifetime have been those where a mentor has said
to me, "Let me show how that works.", or "This is how I do that.".

It is one thing to have a full tool box at you disposal, but having expert help
describing their use is most valuable.  Many years ago while learning the fine
art of tuning diesel engine valve settings from an old hand I learned the many
different ways to use a screw driver and box-end wrench effectively.

I look forward to seeing your idea implemented both on the web site and in the
user manuals!

Bravo!

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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