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P3 span changing

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N7US

P3 span changing

I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer. Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.

73, Jim N7US

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k6dgw

Re: P3 span changing

Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to be
most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q, such
as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT command. In
fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that it is
attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the center-ish
part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer. Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>
> 73, Jim N7US
>

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NK7Z

Re: P3 span changing

How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of
the P3, and don't see it.

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:

> Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to be
> most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q, such
> as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT command. In
> fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that it is
> attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the center-ish
> part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
>> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
>> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
>> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
>> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>>
>> 73, Jim N7US
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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k6mkf

Re: P3 span changing

There are apparently some issues with the P3 firmware retaining the frequency and center by band.

I reported one issue where the P3 would return to an entirely different band than the one commanded. The head of FW for Elecraft confirmed this is a bug that needs fixing. When that will happen, if ever, is anyone's guess with the K4, pandemic, etc.

In macros I write to change bands and frequency, I find that I must issue P3 commands twice to have the P3 properly centered as I want it. I issue the first set of P3 commands at the beginning of the macro string, and the second one near the end. This works for me, so I no longer worry about this FW bug.

- 73 and good DX de Mike, K6MKF, NCDXC Secretary

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] <elecraft-
> [hidden email]> On Behalf Of Dave Cole
> Sent: Monday, February 08, 2021 14:34
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 span changing
>
> How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of the P3,
> and don't see it.
>
> 73, and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
>
> On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> > Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to be
> > most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q, such
> > as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT command. In
> > fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that it is
> > attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the center-ish
> > part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> > Sparks NV DM09dn
> > Washoe County
> >
> > On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
> >> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
> >> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
> >> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
> >> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
> >>
> >> 73, Jim N7US
> >>
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
> ______________________________________________________________
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k6dgw

Re: P3 span changing

In reply to this post by NK7Z

Don't understand your "follow option" question. I run mine in Fixed
Tune Mode which holds the span [i.e. edge frequencies] constant and the
two VFO's show up as two vertical cursors in the spectrum display. The
cursors move as I tune, and when I go beyond the edge, the span shifts
by the amount I've set in the menu ... I use a full span. In the
Tracking Mode, your receive frequency is always centered and the
spectrum moves past it as you tune.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 2/8/2021 2:34 PM, Dave Cole wrote:

> How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of
> the P3, and don't see it.
>
> 73, and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
>
> On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
>> Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to
>> be most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q,
>> such as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT
>> command. In fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that
>> it is attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the
>> center-ish part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
>> Sparks NV DM09dn
>> Washoe County
>>
>> On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
>>> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
>>> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
>>> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
>>> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim N7US

NK7Z

Re: P3 span changing

That answered my question, thank you!

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 2/8/21 2:44 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:

> Don't understand your "follow option" question. I run mine in Fixed
> Tune Mode which holds the span [i.e. edge frequencies] constant and the
> two VFO's show up as two vertical cursors in the spectrum display. The
> cursors move as I tune, and when I go beyond the edge, the span shifts
> by the amount I've set in the menu ... I use a full span. In the
> Tracking Mode, your receive frequency is always centered and the
> spectrum moves past it as you tune.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> On 2/8/2021 2:34 PM, Dave Cole wrote:
>> How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of
>> the P3, and don't see it.
>>
>> 73, and thanks,
>> Dave (NK7Z)
>> https://www.nk7z.net
>> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
>> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
>> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
>>
>> On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
>>> Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to
>>> be most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q,
>>> such as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT
>>> command. In fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that
>>> it is attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the
>>> center-ish part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
>>> Sparks NV DM09dn
>>> Washoe County
>>>
>>> On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
>>>> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
>>>> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
>>>> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
>>>> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jim N7US
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

NK7Z

Re: P3 span changing

In reply to this post by k6mkf

Are you adding delays after your move macros? I had that problem, then
added some delays, and all problems of that nature ended.

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 2/8/21 2:43 PM, Mike Flowers wrote:

> There are apparently some issues with the P3 firmware retaining the frequency and center by band.
>
> I reported one issue where the P3 would return to an entirely different band than the one commanded. The head of FW for Elecraft confirmed this is a bug that needs fixing. When that will happen, if ever, is anyone's guess with the K4, pandemic, etc.
>
> In macros I write to change bands and frequency, I find that I must issue P3 commands twice to have the P3 properly centered as I want it. I issue the first set of P3 commands at the beginning of the macro string, and the second one near the end. This works for me, so I no longer worry about this FW bug.
>
> - 73 and good DX de Mike, K6MKF, NCDXC Secretary
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email] <elecraft-
>> [hidden email]> On Behalf Of Dave Cole
>> Sent: Monday, February 08, 2021 14:34
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 span changing
>>
>> How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of the P3,
>> and don't see it.
>>
>> 73, and thanks,
>> Dave (NK7Z)
>> https://www.nk7z.net
>> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
>> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
>> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
>>
>> On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
>>> Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to be
>>> most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q, such
>>> as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT command. In
>>> fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that it is
>>> attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the center-ish
>>> part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
>>> Sparks NV DM09dn
>>> Washoe County
>>>
>>> On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
>>>> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
>>>> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
>>>> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
>>>> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jim N7US
>>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]
>

NK7Z

Re: P3 span changing

In reply to this post by k6mkf

Make that after your move commands within the macros...

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 2/8/21 2:43 PM, Mike Flowers wrote:

N7US

Re: P3 span changing

In reply to this post by k6dgw

I use the Fixed Tune Mode too but the center frequency sometimes isn't remembered when returning to a previously-used band. If it makes any difference, I'm usually using N1MM+ (often with Win4K3Suite) to control the radio.

73, Jim N7US

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Fred Jensen
Sent: Monday, February 8, 2021 16:45
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 span changing

Don't understand your "follow option" question. I run mine in Fixed Tune Mode which holds the span [i.e. edge frequencies] constant and the two VFO's show up as two vertical cursors in the spectrum display. The cursors move as I tune, and when I go beyond the edge, the span shifts by the amount I've set in the menu ... I use a full span. In the Tracking Mode, your receive frequency is always centered and the spectrum moves past it as you tune.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 2/8/2021 2:34 PM, Dave Cole wrote:

> How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of
> the P3, and don't see it.
>
> 73, and thanks,
> Dave (NK7Z)
> https://www.nk7z.net
> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
>
> On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
>> Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to
>> be most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q,
>> such as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT command.
>> In fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that it is
>> attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the center-ish
>> part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
>> Sparks NV DM09dn
>> Washoe County
>>
>> On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
>>> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
>>> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
>>> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
>>> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim N7US

Alan Bloom

Re: P3 span changing

If you return to a band but at a different K3 VFO frequency, the new
frequency may be outside the P3's span. If that happens, the P3 will
re-tune using an algorithm determined by the MENU > FixMode setting.

If you want to be sure the P3 frequency doesn't change you can set
FixMode to "Static". Then the P3 frequency range will not change even
if the K3 VFO frequency is out of range.

It may be that some logging programs do not retain the old frequency
upon a band change. Even if the frequency is "wrong" only for an
instant, that would be enough to confuse the P3 if not in "Static" mode.

It would be interesting to see what N1MM and other logging programs are
sending to the P3/K3 on band changes. There is a little-known serial
debug monitor in the P3 that shows the traffic on the two RS-232 ports.
You activate the function by simultaneously holding the DISPLAY/AVERAGE
and FN1/FN5 buttons. The P3 screen changes to show RS-232 traffic
color-coded to show on which port and in which direction the traffic is
going.

The data can fly by awfully fast when using a logging program. You can
freeze the screen immediately after a band change by tapping the FN2
key. Tap it again to unfreeze the screen. If you want to show more
data you can choose a smaller font size with the MENU > Font feature.

I'm pretty sure that feature still exists in current P3 code. I can't
check this myself since all my ham equipment was recently lost in a fire.

Alan N1AL

On 2/8/2021 4:05 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:

> I use the Fixed Tune Mode too but the center frequency sometimes isn't remembered when returning to a previously-used band. If it makes any difference, I'm usually using N1MM+ (often with Win4K3Suite) to control the radio.
>
> 73, Jim N7US
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Fred Jensen
> Sent: Monday, February 8, 2021 16:45
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 span changing
>
> Don't understand your "follow option" question. I run mine in Fixed Tune Mode which holds the span [i.e. edge frequencies] constant and the two VFO's show up as two vertical cursors in the spectrum display. The cursors move as I tune, and when I go beyond the edge, the span shifts by the amount I've set in the menu ... I use a full span. In the Tracking Mode, your receive frequency is always centered and the spectrum moves past it as you tune.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> On 2/8/2021 2:34 PM, Dave Cole wrote:
>> How does one set the follow option, I just looked through the menu of
>> the P3, and don't see it.
>>
>> 73, and thanks,
>> Dave (NK7Z)
>> https://www.nk7z.net
>> ARRL Volunteer Examiner
>> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
>> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
>>
>> On 2/8/21 12:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
>>> Yes, it has been discussed, and yes, that is the case. It seems to
>>> be most prevalent when returning to a band after moving off for a Q,
>>> such as in NAQP's when the return is being commanded via CAT command.
>>> In fairness to the Elecraft developers, it /*appears*/ that it is
>>> attempting to put the frequency you are returning into the center-ish
>>> part of the display which is not totally unreasonable.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
>>> Sparks NV DM09dn
>>> Washoe County
>>>
>>> On 2/7/2021 12:28 PM, Jim McDonald wrote:
>>>> I know this has been asked before but I don't remember the answer.
>>>> Isn't the P3 supposed to remember the span and center frequency from
>>>> band to band? It seems to change center frequency even if the band
>>>> hasn't changed, but that may not be the case.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jim N7US

w4sc-2

Re: P3 span changing

In reply to this post by N7US

I have observed very similar occurrences. For example changing bands, if the center frequency was previously tuned to 10.000.00 MHz with a span of 20KHz, then changing to another band, say 20M or 40M, then back to 30M (10MHz), the center frequency will briefly appear in the upper left corner of the P3 display, as well as in the center of the display. It then corrects, with the proper LH-CENTER-RH ( 9.990.00 – 10.000.00 – 10.010.00 ) displayed. Occasionally the display will show ( 10.000.00 – 10.000.00 – 10.010.00 ) and not correct the display. Also the FILTER BAND PASS will appear on the left side of the display, remaining there. All of the communication to the P3 in this case is from the K3S. I have no computer or other device connected to the K3S/P3. Initiating a “CENTER” command via the P3 “BUTTON” will usually correct the issue……

Ben W4SC

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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k6dgw

Re: P3 span changing

In reply to this post by Alan Bloom

Hi Alan,

Cool undocumented feature! Guessed that FN5="MENU". How do I get back
to normal ... other than powering down? I generally do not send P3
commands, it seems to stay in sync with the K3 by itself, but do often
have need to see what my program is sending to the K3, or getting back
from the K3. I'll paste your email into my station notebook. And, yes,
it's in MCU 1.60

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 2/8/2021 4:07 PM, Alan Bloom wrote:

> There is a little-known serial debug monitor in the P3 that shows the
> traffic on the two RS-232 ports. You activate the function by
> simultaneously holding the DISPLAY/AVERAGE and FN1/FN5 buttons. The P3
> screen changes to show RS-232 traffic color-coded to show on which
> port and in which direction the traffic is going.
>
> The data can fly by awfully fast when using a logging program. You can
> freeze the screen immediately after a band change by tapping the FN2
> key. Tap it again to unfreeze the screen. If you want to show more
> data you can choose a smaller font size with the MENU > Font feature.
>
> I'm pretty sure that feature still exists in current P3 code. I can't
> check this myself since all my ham equipment was recently lost in a fire.
>
> Alan N1AL