P3 Firmware and PigKnob

[w8fn]

I've been thinking of pulling the trigger on a K-Pod, but in retrospect
what I really need most is a way to move the marker and simulate a knob
press remotelyon the P3. The ability to control the radio this way
without having to move my hands away from the keyboard would be a
wonderful tool for Search and Pounce contesting. Given the way the K-Pod
connects directly into the innards of the K3, it appears that
implementing a way to pass commands to the P3 from the K3 might require
some major radio firmware changes.

I have a PigKnob here that I now use to tune the radio. It connects
directly to the RS232 port going into the P3. It occurred to me that it
might be possible to use the PigKnob to control the P3. I downloaded and
had a look at the P3 command reference and was disappointed to discover
there's no command to move the markers. I would sure like to see an
enhancement to the P3 firmware that would add a "Marker Up / Marker
Down" tuning command. Maybe I'm missing something, though. Does anyone
know of a way to make the P3 marker(s) move under software control?

73...
Randy, W8FN
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Joe Stone (KF5WBO)]

Hi Randy,

I've been thinking of pulling the trigger on a K-Pod, but in retrospect what I really need most is a way to move the marker and simulate a knob press remotely on the P3.

[js] This is exactly what I’m after ... only with the PX3.  Of course, if you can control the PX3 / P3 markers using a K-Pod, you should also be able to control the KX3 / K3 VFO’s via the PX3 / P3.

[js] I don't know if Elecraft has plans to control the P3 using the K-Pod via the K3.

I have a PigKnob here that I now use to tune the radio. It connects directly to the RS232 port going into the P3. It occurred to me that it might be possible to use the PigKnob to control the P3. I downloaded and had a look at the P3 command reference and was disappointed to discover there's no command to move the markers. I would sure like to see an enhancement to the P3 firmware that would add a "Marker Up / MarkerDown" tuning command. Maybe I'm missing something, though. Does anyone know of a way to make the P3 marker(s) move under software control?

[js] You can make the PX3 / P3 markers move under software control using the #MFA and #MFB commands, however, the controller must be “stateful” (e.g., PC, tablet, smartphone, adjunct electronics, …).  In order to move the PX3 / P3 markers using a "stateless" macro, you’re absolutely correct with respect to the need for new relative (up / down) marker frequency remote control commands (i.e., #DNA/#DNB and #UPA/#UPB).  I also have an alternate proposal to modify the existing #MFA and #MFB command syntax.

[js] I’ve written this up, however, I haven’t shared it with Elecraft because I already have a rather lengthy PX3 wish list (e.g., I rather have them focus on integrating the K-Pod with the PX3 / P3),

    http://wickedstone.com/KF5WBO/PX3%20Wish%20List%20-%20Relative%20Frequency%20Commands.pdf

[js] I have a proposal to integrate the K-Pod with the PX3 as a HID (Human Interface Device), building on the existing keyboard HID support.  This approach greatly simplifies the K-Pod firmware.  This HID-based approach will also work with the P3.  

Joe Stone
KF5WBO