K3 - rig control with a Pigknob

[Bill-3]

For a long time I have been using HRD to allow rig control of my K3 -
using the mouse and computer for control of various features/controls
and the VFO. Then I discovered the Pigknob - http://pignology.net/pigknob/

The Pigknob allows me to control 8 programmable features and the VFO (at
two selectable speeds). I merely used the K3's Programmers Reference to
help set up the eight buttons. If you can operate a feature or control
from the front panel of the K3 - you can do it from the Pigknob.

Now I am able to easily control and use the K3 from my arm-chair
(remember, all I do is arm-chair copy rag chew) without having to
stretch across the desk to reach the K3's panel. The wire from the
Pigknob to the K3 is plenty long enough for placement of the device
anyplace on the desk, or to hold in my hand.

I am glad I found the Pigknob, as it ended my quest for a remote control
pad. Also, it does not require the use of a computer, except when
programming it. It is stand alone with the K3.

I have no financial interest in the company that sells the Pigknob - I
am merely pointing out a device that works well for me and may do so for
others.

As a parting comment: The Pigknob is the best station add-on I have
bought in many years. It does its job very well.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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[Vic Rosenthal]

A couple of things I've wondered about:

1) Can you load firmware while the device is connected?
2) Are there any issues if a P3 is daisy-chained?

I looked at the Pigknob user manual and the answers weren't obvious.

On 6/28/14 6:50 AM, Bill W2BLC wrote:

> For a long time I have been using HRD to allow rig control of my K3 -
> using the mouse and computer for control of various features/controls
> and the VFO. Then I discovered the Pigknob - http://pignology.net/pigknob/
>
> The Pigknob allows me to control 8 programmable features and the VFO (at
> two selectable speeds). I merely used the K3's Programmers Reference to
> help set up the eight buttons. If you can operate a feature or control
> from the front panel of the K3 - you can do it from the Pigknob.
>
> Now I am able to easily control and use the K3 from my arm-chair
> (remember, all I do is arm-chair copy rag chew) without having to
> stretch across the desk to reach the K3's panel. The wire from the
> Pigknob to the K3 is plenty long enough for placement of the device
> anyplace on the desk, or to hold in my hand.
>
> I am glad I found the Pigknob, as it ended my quest for a remote control
> pad. Also, it does not require the use of a computer, except when
> programming it. It is stand alone with the K3.
>
> I have no financial interest in the company that sells the Pigknob - I
> am merely pointing out a device that works well for me and may do so for
> others.
>
> As a parting comment: The Pigknob is the best station add-on I have
> bought in many years. It does its job very well.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line

--
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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[k6dgw]

On 6/28/2014 8:27 AM, Vic, K2VCO wrote:
> A couple of things I've wondered about:
>
> 1) Can you load firmware while the device is connected?

Yes ... to the PK [macros] and K3/P3 [firmware et al].  It comes with a
little circuit card, mine just hangs behind the P3 in the not-wireless
region of my wireless, and does a pass-thru on the serial cable.

> 2) Are there any issues if a P3 is daisy-chained?

If there are, I haven't encountered them.

The PK encoder is "tappable," selects one of two CW/CCW macro pairs
which are typically up/down macros for the K3.  I played around with the
several K3 settings that control the VFO tuning rates and [after most of
the afternoon, it's either complex or I made it complex], I get two
rates on the PK ... 1 Hz and 10 Hz ... and three faster rates on the K3
Big Knob for quick QSY.

Been thinking about having the PK control both VFO's for when working
split but haven't decided yet, I'm somewhat change-averse.

I program the PK with Foxterm but any plain ASCII terminal program works
fine.  Several $$$$ characters puts the PK into programming mode.  The 8
buttons are OK, I've found uses for 5 -- not a big macro fan, too old I
guess.  Two big PK benefits for me -- #1: I'm left-handed, radio is on
the right of the laptop [sort of has to be], so I get to tune left now.
  #2:  K3 is on shelf over KPA500, extended tuning with my hand/arm
raised on the knob aggravates ancient shoulder injuries.  Now, I tune
with my arm on the desk, no cramps during WPX.

No financial or other interest blah blah blah, Nick is very good about
customer support.  There were rumors awhile back that he had a "Pigpad"
in the works, some number of programmable buttons.  Haven't heard any
more about it.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

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[Bill-3]

There is an issue with the P3 involving the programming of the Pigknob.
However, it is very simple to correct - simply turn the P3 off when you
are programming the Pigknob. I have no long winded scientific
explanation for it, hence cannot provide to the bandwidth of the topic.

I have been using the device for about a month and have found no flaws.
I have ceased using HRD for rig control - the Pigknob does all I need.
Sometimes simplicity is best.

Bill W2BLC K-Line
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