K3 v. ORION II and flexibility (not that kind)

[dbp tds.net]

Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios whose developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
 I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful of people might want because of their particular activity that we look into real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main tuning module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic plugs for the mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all important left side control position. Put them out of the way at the bottom right hand corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric knobs  could be placed in a matrix on the front panel, and software could be the tool to activate that position as a user selected control function position (a USCFP).  
 Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these were made in left handed models.
73 de Dave K1OPQ
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Dave,

I am with you on all counts :-)  - if it just were possible!  For those
K3 owners who do not appreciate the problem, try tuning the radio by
placing the fingers of the left hand on top of the radio and tune the
VFO with your thumb - the hand covers much of the display.  Now try it
with the right hand - the whole display can be read easily.   Put a mic
plug into the front panel connector and use the left hand to operate the
RF Gain control, it works, but with difficulty  - similarly for the AF
Gain when there are headphones plugged into the front jack.  
Fortunately, the K3 has rear connectors.

I suppose the 'left handed syndrome' is why I find computer control of
the radio easier - but OTOH, my preference is really for real knobs and
buttons.  Using a mouse works, but pointing and clicking does not
provide the feel of a real knob.

73,
Don W3FPR

Dave wrote:
> Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios whose developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
>  I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful of people might want because of their particular activity that we look into real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main tuning module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic plugs for the mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all important left side control position. Put them out of the way at the bottom right hand corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric knobs  could be placed in a matrix on the front panel, and software could be the tool to activate that position as a user selected control function position (a USCFP).  
>  Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these were made in left handed models.
> 73 de Dave K1OPQ
>  
>
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[Alan Price-2]

Right on, er left on for us lefties.


73
Alan
W1HYV

> Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:38:34 -0400
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 v. ORION II and flexibility (not that kind)
> CC: [hidden email]
>
> Dave,
>
> I am with you on all counts :-) - if it just were possible! For those
> K3 owners who do not appreciate the problem, try tuning the radio by
> placing the fingers of the left hand on top of the radio and tune the
> VFO with your thumb - the hand covers much of the display. Now try it
> with the right hand - the whole display can be read easily. Put a mic
> plug into the front panel connector and use the left hand to operate the
> RF Gain control, it works, but with difficulty - similarly for the AF
> Gain when there are headphones plugged into the front jack.
> Fortunately, the K3 has rear connectors.
>
> I suppose the 'left handed syndrome' is why I find computer control of
> the radio easier - but OTOH, my preference is really for real knobs and
> buttons. Using a mouse works, but pointing and clicking does not
> provide the feel of a real knob.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Dave wrote:
>> Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios whose developers paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
>> I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful of people might want because of their particular activity that we look into real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main tuning module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic plugs for the mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all important left side control position. Put them out of the way at the bottom right hand corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric knobs could be placed in a matrix on the front panel, and software could be the tool to activate that position as a user selected control function position (a USCFP).
>> Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these were made in left handed models.
>> 73 de Dave K1OPQ
>>
>>
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[N2TK]

I am mostly a lefty. I have the K3 on the left side of the keyboard and
primary display at about a 45 degree angle. This way I look straight ahead
for logging and turn my head slightly to the left for the K3. This puts the
K3 within easy reach. I have a Kenwood SP-950 speaker. This is where I plug
in the headphones cause the front panel headphone jack on the K3 is in the
way for me when I want to use the AF gain. I tune with my left hand on the
bench so no issues here with that. I do need to move the  mike input to the
back panel.

73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:39 AM
To: Dave
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 v. ORION II and flexibility (not that kind)

Dave,

I am with you on all counts :-)  - if it just were possible!  For those
K3 owners who do not appreciate the problem, try tuning the radio by
placing the fingers of the left hand on top of the radio and tune the
VFO with your thumb - the hand covers much of the display.  Now try it
with the right hand - the whole display can be read easily.   Put a mic
plug into the front panel connector and use the left hand to operate the
RF Gain control, it works, but with difficulty  - similarly for the AF
Gain when there are headphones plugged into the front jack.  
Fortunately, the K3 has rear connectors.

I suppose the 'left handed syndrome' is why I find computer control of
the radio easier - but OTOH, my preference is really for real knobs and
buttons.  Using a mouse works, but pointing and clicking does not
provide the feel of a real knob.

73,
Don W3FPR

Dave wrote:
> Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios whose
developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
>  I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful of
people might want because of their particular activity that we look into
real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main tuning
module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic plugs for the
mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all important left side
control position. Put them out of the way at the bottom right hand corner.
Individual 6 pin modules with concentric knobs  could be placed in a matrix
on the front panel, and software could be the tool to activate that position
as a user selected control function position (a USCFP).  
>  Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these were made
in left handed models.
> 73 de Dave K1OPQ
>  
>
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[Gary, W7TEA]

Front panel jack placement not only affects "lefties."  I am right handed and tune the VFO and use the key with that hand.  But I adjust gain, bandwidth and PBT knobs with my left hand. So, front panel plugs for headphones, key and mic get in the way.  I applaud Elecraft for allowing such connections in the rig's back panel.  On my Omni VII, I used the rear panel speaker plug for headphone audio and the ACC plug to connect a keyer.  Otherwise front panel plugs would block, or make very awkward, access to the Multi, BW, and gain knobs.

Gary W7TEA

[Philip Leonard WVØT]

You should have ordered the K3L model.  Elecraft may be up for a
trade-in arrangement.

Philip


Dave wrote:

> Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios whose developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
>  I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful of people might want because of their particular activity that we look into real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main tuning module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic plugs for the mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all important left side control position. Put them out of the way at the bottom right hand corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric knobs  could be placed in a matrix on the front panel, and software could be the tool to activate that position as a user selected control function position (a USCFP).  
>  Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these were made in left handed models.
> 73 de Dave K1OPQ
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>
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[Don Ehrlich]

I'm right handed and the K3 sits to my left with tuner and amp to the left
of that.  Computer screen to the right with keyboard in front.

I have always done all of my radio equipment operation using my left hand ..
and did not know I had a problem until reading this thread.

Don K7FJ

> Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios whose
> developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
> I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful of
> people might want because of their particular activity that we look into
> real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main tuning
> module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic plugs for the
> mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all important left
> side control position. Put them out of the way at the bottom right hand
> corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric knobs  could be placed in
> a matrix on the front panel, and software could be the tool to activate
> that position as a user selected control function position (a USCFP).
> Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these were made
> in left handed models.
> 73 de Dave K1OPQ

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[n6wg]

Hi Don
I don't like large plugs sticking out the front of my
radio, so I bought a right angle adapter plug for
my K3 headphone jack.  It has the 1/4" stereo
plug into the radio, and a 1/8" stereo receptacle
for my headphones.  Being a right angle adapter,
it keeps everything out of the way.  I use the
rear panel jacks for my voice headset.
73, Bob N6WG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "Dave" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 v. ORION II and flexibility (not that kind)


> Dave,
>
> I am with you on all counts :-)  - if it just were possible!  For
those
> K3 owners who do not appreciate the problem, try tuning the radio by
> placing the fingers of the left hand on top of the radio and tune
the
> VFO with your thumb - the hand covers much of the display.  Now try
it
> with the right hand - the whole display can be read easily.   Put a
mic
> plug into the front panel connector and use the left hand to operate
the
> RF Gain control, it works, but with difficulty  - similarly for the
AF
> Gain when there are headphones plugged into the front jack.
> Fortunately, the K3 has rear connectors.
>
> I suppose the 'left handed syndrome' is why I find computer control
of
> the radio easier - but OTOH, my preference is really for real knobs
and
> buttons.  Using a mouse works, but pointing and clicking does not
> provide the feel of a real knob.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Dave wrote:
> > Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios
whose developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
> >  I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful
of people might want because of their particular activity that we look
into real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main
tuning module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic
plugs for the mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all
important left side control position. Put them out of the way at the
bottom right hand corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric
knobs  could be placed in a matrix on the front panel, and software
could be the tool to activate that position as a user selected control
function position (a USCFP).
> >  Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these
were made in left handed models.

> > 73 de Dave K1OPQ
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> 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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[Tony Fegan VE3QF]

    I am disappointed that so much front panel real estate was wasted
(six more buttons?) on the phone jack and microphone connector. Two mic
connectors are good but they should both be on the back. If a foster
socket is required then a dongle could be used. I use the phone jack on
the back.
     I wonder how many right handed operators use their left hand for
the controls on the left. I am basically right handed but  use my left
hand for the left buttons and filter controls.
    The filter controls are just too close to the main VFO. They are
especially difficult for me as I have no touch sensitivity in some
fingertips. If the knobs protruded another 1/2 inch and had a more
positive detent, I would be less likely to nudge the main VFO.
    I would like to see the XFIL button used to select several pre-set
DSP filters (especially useful on SSB).
    All things considered, I do like my K3 but nothing is ever perfect.

73
    Tony Fegan VE3QF
    K3 #137


W7TEA wrote:

> Front panel jack placement not only affects "lefties."  I am right handed and
> tune the VFO and use the key with that hand.  But I adjust gain, bandwidth
> and PBT knobs with my left hand. So, front panel plugs for headphones, key
> and mic get in the way.  I applaud Elecraft for allowing such connections in
> the rig's back panel.  On my Omni VII, I used the rear panel speaker plug
> for headphone audio and the ACC plug to connect a keyer.  Otherwise front
> panel plugs would block, or make very awkward, access to the Multi, BW, and
> gain knobs.
>
> Gary W7TEA
>  

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[ac0h]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Ditto, except swap a K2/100, KAT100-1 for the K3 part.

Don Ehrlich wrote:
| I'm right handed and the K3 sits to my left with tuner and amp to the
| left of that.  Computer screen to the right with keyboard in front.
|
| I have always done all of my radio equipment operation using my left
| hand .. and did not know I had a problem until reading this thread.
|
| Don K7FJ

|

- --
R. Kevin Stover, ACØH
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