Elecraft

P3 Questions

Classic

List

Threaded

10 messages Options

Elecraft mailing list

P3 Questions

Hi,

Until recently, I have not been interested in the P3 because I didn't think it would be useful for my way of operating. Now, I think I am missing something quite useful but I need to get educated on it.

I am interested in some suggested reading which covers the capabilities and how those capabilities would help me in contesting and dxing. For example, can I see a signal blip, identify it, move my K3 to it, etc. Many more questions but I am sure someone has already documented the advantages.

I have two K3's which are ready to accept a P3.

Thanks in advance.

Steve, K4FJ

______________________________________________________________
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]

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: P3 Questions

Steve,

This might help:

http://www.elecraft.com/P3/How%20to%20Set%20Up%20and%20Interpret%20the%20P3%20Display.pdf

http://www.elecraft.com/manual/P3%20Owner%27s%20man%20Rev%20D.pdf

And */Note: /*/Either the KXV3 or the KXV3a K3
option is required to feed the K3's IF output to
the P3./

I was skeptical of my need for the P3. Now I wish
all my rigs had one :-)

Phil W7OX

On 6/20/14, 2:20 PM, Steve, K4FJ via Elecraft wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Until recently, I have not been interested in the P3 because I didn't think it would be useful for my way of operating. Now, I think I am missing something quite useful but I need to get educated on it.
>
> I am interested in some suggested reading which covers the capabilities and how those capabilities would help me in contesting and dxing. For example, can I see a signal blip, identify it, move my K3 to it, etc. Many more questions but I am sure someone has already documented the advantages.
>
> I have two K3's which are ready to accept a P3.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Steve, K4FJ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

KE8G

Re: P3 Questions

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Hi Steve,
Yes, the P3 is a great tool to use in both contesting and dxing. It also tells a lot about what is going on with the band.

Please follow this link to familiarize yourself with the P3:
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/P3%20Owner's%20man%20Rev%20D.pdf

73 de Jim - KE8G

---- "Steve wrote:

>
> Hi,
>
> Until recently, I have not been interested in the P3 because I didn't think it would be useful for my way of operating. Now, I think I am missing something quite useful but I need to get educated on it.
>
> I am interested in some suggested reading which covers the capabilities and how those capabilities would help me in contesting and dxing. For example, can I see a signal blip, identify it, move my K3 to it, etc. Many more questions but I am sure someone has already documented the advantages.
>
> I have two K3's which are ready to accept a P3.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Steve, K4FJ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Bill Turner-2

Re: P3 Questions

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

ORIGINAL MESSAGE: (may be snipped)

On 6/20/2014 2:20 PM, Steve, K4FJ via Elecraft wrote:
> Until recently, I have not been interested in the P3 because I didn't think it would be useful for my way of operating. Now, I think I am missing something quite useful but I need to get educated on it.

REPLY:

I use the P3 for two things primarily:

1. Finding stations when the band appears dead
and
2. Finding a clear spot to call DX when working split, or alternatively,
finding the calling station so I can be on his frequency.

There are other radios which have a version of a "spectrum scope" such
as my two recent Icoms, but the P3 is so far superior in resolution and
menu options that there is almost no comparison. The P3 is enough reason
alone to buy a K3. It is expensive but you get what you pay for. You
will not be disappointed.

73, Bill W6WRT
[hidden email]
______________________________________________________________
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]

k6dgw

Re: P3 Questions

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

You will get a lot of replies Steve, they will likely all be positive,
the P3 is a really great addition to any station.

I bought mine as just a toy ... my wife does needlepoint which is about
as expensive as ham radio, we have an "equal hobby allowance" policy,
and the radio balance was climbing. However it has totally changed the
way I operate. I watch it now instead of the radio.

Not sure what you mean by "identify it," but I can see the signals and
pick out the RTTY in a RTTY contest, CW, PSK, and JT65 just from the
display. PACTOR signals are also obvious although I'm not a PACTOR-ite.
It won't give you the call sign however. :-)) [You can also discover
that the 5, 10, and 15 MHz WWV signals are somewhat dirtier than you
would expect from NIST]

Yes, you can put a marker [there are two] on a signal, punch the knob,
and your K3 will QSY to that frequency.

The display runs rings around the "bandscopes" on other radios. I have
no color vision and the color waterfall wasn't working real well for me,
so Alan added a monochrome waterfall option in the next FW update, maybe
just for me. :-)

I have yet to find a use for all 8 of the programmable function keys.
DX'ing is amazing! I see the DX and I see the pileup up a bit [well,
not everyone, Up-Cops show up on the DX frequency]. Pileup looks like
wide-band noise. DX calls someone, pile dies off, and one signal is
there [well, OK, several answer so sometimes I guess wrong], move VFO B
to put the TX cursor on that station and at the "TU", call. Works about
75% of the time. Also very useful when I'm NCS in the traffic net, I
don't send stations "up or down 3" and put them on top of someone.

I run in Fixed Tune mode [screen displays a segment of the band and my
frequency moves across it until I hit the edge of the segment]. There
is also a Tracking mode where you're always in the center and the band
moves past you. Span is adjustable from 4 KHz to 200 KHz and you can
assign specific spans to the function keys. With the P3 Utility you can
save screen shots to your computer.

I wouldn't be without mine.

73,

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

On 6/20/2014 2:20 PM, Steve, K4FJ via Elecraft wrote:

> I am interested in some suggested reading which covers the
> capabilities and how those capabilities would help me in contesting
> and dxing. For example, can I see a signal blip, identify it, move
> my K3 to it, etc. Many more questions but I am sure someone has
> already documented the advantages.

______________________________________________________________
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]

Gary Gregory-2

Re: P3 Questions

Steve,

The only negative is the lack of Tx monitoring. Was promised, and the label
on the back of the P3 is beckoning but as nothing is ever mentioned about
this option one can only assume it is not going to happen.

Gary

On 21 June 2014 09:01, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:

> You will get a lot of replies Steve, they will likely all be positive, the
> P3 is a really great addition to any station.
>
> I bought mine as just a toy ... my wife does needlepoint which is about as
> expensive as ham radio, we have an "equal hobby allowance" policy, and the
> radio balance was climbing. However it has totally changed the way I
> operate. I watch it now instead of the radio.
>
> Not sure what you mean by "identify it," but I can see the signals and
> pick out the RTTY in a RTTY contest, CW, PSK, and JT65 just from the
> display. PACTOR signals are also obvious although I'm not a PACTOR-ite.
> It won't give you the call sign however. :-)) [You can also discover that
> the 5, 10, and 15 MHz WWV signals are somewhat dirtier than you would
> expect from NIST]
>
> Yes, you can put a marker [there are two] on a signal, punch the knob, and
> your K3 will QSY to that frequency.
>
> The display runs rings around the "bandscopes" on other radios. I have no
> color vision and the color waterfall wasn't working real well for me, so
> Alan added a monochrome waterfall option in the next FW update, maybe just
> for me. :-)
>
> I have yet to find a use for all 8 of the programmable function keys.
> DX'ing is amazing! I see the DX and I see the pileup up a bit [well, not
> everyone, Up-Cops show up on the DX frequency]. Pileup looks like
> wide-band noise. DX calls someone, pile dies off, and one signal is there
> [well, OK, several answer so sometimes I guess wrong], move VFO B to put
> the TX cursor on that station and at the "TU", call. Works about 75% of
> the time. Also very useful when I'm NCS in the traffic net, I don't send
> stations "up or down 3" and put them on top of someone.
>
> I run in Fixed Tune mode [screen displays a segment of the band and my
> frequency moves across it until I hit the edge of the segment]. There is
> also a Tracking mode where you're always in the center and the band moves
> past you. Span is adjustable from 4 KHz to 200 KHz and you can assign
> specific spans to the function keys. With the P3 Utility you can save
> screen shots to your computer.
>
> I wouldn't be without mine.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
> - www.cqp.org
>
>
> On 6/20/2014 2:20 PM, Steve, K4FJ via Elecraft wrote:
>
> I am interested in some suggested reading which covers the
>> capabilities and how those capabilities would help me in contesting
>> and dxing. For example, can I see a signal blip, identify it, move
>> my K3 to it, etc. Many more questions but I am sure someone has
>> already documented the advantages.
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Johnny Siu

P3 Questions

Hello Gary,

As usually mentioned here, it is on their to-do list but there is no time frame at all. They are still running for the KX3 additions - bigger market, more money.

cheers,

Johnny VR2XMC

________________________________
寄件人︰ Gary Gregory <[hidden email]>
收件人︰
副本(CC)︰ Elecraft List <[hidden email]>
傳送日期︰ 2014年06月21日 (週六) 9:15 AM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] P3 Questions

Steve,

The only negative is the lack of Tx monitoring. Was promised, and the label
on the back of the P3 is beckoning but as nothing is ever mentioned about
this option one can only assume it is not going to happen.

Gary

On 21 June 2014 09:01, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:

> You will get a lot of replies Steve, they will likely all be positive, the
> P3 is a really great addition to any station.
>
> I bought mine as just a toy ... my wife does needlepoint which is about as
> expensive as ham radio, we have an "equal hobby allowance" policy, and the
> radio balance was climbing. However it has totally changed the way I
> operate. I watch it now instead of the radio.
>
> Not sure what you mean by "identify it," but I can see the signals and
> pick out the RTTY in a RTTY contest, CW, PSK, and JT65 just from the
> display. PACTOR signals are also obvious although I'm not a PACTOR-ite.
> It won't give you the call sign however. :-)) [You can also discover that
> the 5, 10, and 15 MHz WWV signals are somewhat dirtier than you would
> expect from NIST]
>
> Yes, you can put a marker [there are two] on a signal, punch the knob, and
> your K3 will QSY to that frequency.
>
> The display runs rings around the "bandscopes" on other radios. I have no
> color vision and the color waterfall wasn't working real well for me, so
> Alan added a monochrome waterfall option in the next FW update, maybe just
> for me. :-)
>
> I have yet to find a use for all 8 of the programmable function keys.
> DX'ing is amazing! I see the DX and I see the pileup up a bit [well, not
> everyone, Up-Cops show up on the DX frequency]. Pileup looks like
> wide-band noise. DX calls someone, pile dies off, and one signal is there
> [well, OK, several answer so sometimes I guess wrong], move VFO B to put
> the TX cursor on that station and at the "TU", call. Works about 75% of
> the time. Also very useful when I'm NCS in the traffic net, I don't send
> stations "up or down 3" and put them on top of someone.
>
> I run in Fixed Tune mode [screen displays a segment of the band and my
> frequency moves across it until I hit the edge of the segment]. There is
> also a Tracking mode where you're always in the center and the band moves
> past you. Span is adjustable from 4 KHz to 200 KHz and you can assign
> specific spans to the function keys. With the P3 Utility you can save
> screen shots to your computer.
>
> I wouldn't be without mine.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
> - www.cqp.org
>
>
> On 6/20/2014 2:20 PM, Steve, K4FJ via Elecraft wrote:
>
> I am interested in some suggested reading which covers the
>> capabilities and how those capabilities would help me in contesting
>> and dxing. For example, can I see a signal blip, identify it, move
>> my K3 to it, etc. Many more questions but I am sure someone has
>> already documented the advantages.
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

--

*Gary - VK1ZZ, K3NHLSkype: Gary.VK1ZZhttp://www.qsl.net/vk1zz
<http://www.qsl.net/vk1zz> Motorhome Portable*
*"Grumpy's House"*

*Elecraft K3KPA500FTKAT500FT*

______________________________________________________________
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]
______________________________________________________________
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]

Grant Youngman

Re: P3 Questions

In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-2

I suspect that’s a reasonably poor assumption based only on the fact that it isn’t in the hype thread.

But even it it turns out to be good, the P3 is worth every nickel …

Grant NQ5T

On Jun 20, 2014, at 8:15 PM, Gary Gregory <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Steve,
>
> The only negative is the lack of Tx monitoring. Was promised, and the label
> on the back of the P3 is beckoning but as nothing is ever mentioned about
> this option one can only assume it is not going to happen.
>
> Gary
>
>
> On 21 June 2014 09:01, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>

Charlie T, K3ICH

Re: P3 Questions

In reply to this post by k6dgw

Operating without the P3 is like listening to the CD.

Running the P3 (and the VGA) with your K3 is like attending a live concert.

73, Charlie k3ICH

______________________________________________________________
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]

Scott Manthe-2

Re: P3 Questions

In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-2

Based on my discussions with Elecraft personnel at Dayton, I wouldn't be
quite so quick to give up on the TX sensor just yet...

73,
Scott, N9AA

On 6/20/14, 9:15 PM, Gary Gregory wrote: