RE: KPLUS (K3) Needed .....

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

Heh heh heh...this is why we are still waiting for the next
iteration...lack of consensus.

I don't see anything different with your wish list compared to the K2
with options other than the "bigger mechanics" and GC rx (which I
don't want).

Speaking as a contester (a rare breed among qrpers), my wish list includes:

1.  Faster tuning rate without having to resort to 0.1kc steps.  A
bigger knob would be fine, but not really mandatory if the rate were
faster.  Yeah, I know about the after market swap.  Even my FT817
(with an itsy-bitsy knob) tunes faster and just a smoothly.

2.  Completely independant VFO's (ie, all parameters separate, such as
my pet peeves, mode and filter selection).  PLEASE PLEASE

3.  Optocoupled RIT/XIT with "clear" button.  MANDATORY!!!!!

4.  Freq readout for both VFO's and RIT/XIT offset (three separate
displays)  GOTTA HAVE IT.

5.  A faster/easier way (front panel knob) to adjust the sidetone/cw
offset would be nice.  This is a fatigue fighting tool.  Going via the
menu isn't terrible, but not efficient for contesting.  Sometimes you
just need a change of pace.  NICE TO HAVE, but I could live w/o it.
Also, since contesters use a computer for keying, swapping this
function with the keyer speed would be just FINE with me.  I know it's
a loser for the portable crowd.

Frankly, during contesting, you don't twiddle the controls much.  The
VFO moves all the times.  If you are running, the RIT is always
moving' and you may pump in/out to a narrower filter setting (and it
would be real nice to SEE that displayed full time also).

If you are playing around with PBT or IF shift or DSP or NR, well, you
are not winning the contest.

As for SSB (which I don't much care for), an external AF to RF to AF
clipper would be fine.  Internal RF clipping even better.  Of course,
that would mean purchasing the SSB module.  LOL

de Doug KR2Q
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[Ken Alexander-2]

Doug,

Man, I like the way you think!  

Guys at Elecraft:  what Doug said, ditto for me, OK?

73,

Ken Alexander
VE3HLS



--- DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Heh heh heh...this is why we are still waiting for
> the next
> iteration...lack of consensus.
>
> I don't see anything different with your wish list
> compared to the K2
> with options other than the "bigger mechanics" and
> GC rx (which I
> don't want).
>
> Speaking as a contester (a rare breed among qrpers),
> my wish list includes:
>
> 1.  Faster tuning rate without having to resort to
> 0.1kc steps.  A
> bigger knob would be fine, but not really mandatory
> if the rate were
> faster.  Yeah, I know about the after market swap.
> Even my FT817
> (with an itsy-bitsy knob) tunes faster and just a
> smoothly.
>
> 2.  Completely independant VFO's (ie, all parameters
> separate, such as
> my pet peeves, mode and filter selection).  PLEASE
> PLEASE
>
> 3.  Optocoupled RIT/XIT with "clear" button.
> MANDATORY!!!!!
>
> 4.  Freq readout for both VFO's and RIT/XIT offset
> (three separate
> displays)  GOTTA HAVE IT.
>
> 5.  A faster/easier way (front panel knob) to adjust
> the sidetone/cw
> offset would be nice.  This is a fatigue fighting
> tool.  Going via the
> menu isn't terrible, but not efficient for
> contesting.  Sometimes you
> just need a change of pace.  NICE TO HAVE, but I
> could live w/o it.
> Also, since contesters use a computer for keying,
> swapping this
> function with the keyer speed would be just FINE
> with me.  I know it's
> a loser for the portable crowd.
>
> Frankly, during contesting, you don't twiddle the
> controls much.  The
> VFO moves all the times.  If you are running, the
> RIT is always
> moving' and you may pump in/out to a narrower filter
> setting (and it
> would be real nice to SEE that displayed full time
> also).
>
> If you are playing around with PBT or IF shift or
> DSP or NR, well, you
> are not winning the contest.
>
> As for SSB (which I don't much care for), an
> external AF to RF to AF
> clipper would be fine.  Internal RF clipping even
> better.  Of course,
> that would mean purchasing the SSB module.  LOL
>
> de Doug KR2Q
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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>
>
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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[Torsten Clay]

As another contester, I can add the following

1. Better tx alc control. It's adequate for qrp or 100W usage, but too rough if you have a low-drive linear (like with an 8877 tube)
2. TX power should not be zero after a band change (this is a pain for SO2R)
3. separate transmit mute line
4. easier to use dsp: it's basically impossible to adjust during contest conditions.

During contests I control the xtal filter selection, AF filter selection, and RX antenna from the keyboard via software.

ps: I did the encoder swap to get faster tuning rate. That and a finger dimple helps, but it still could be faster.

Tor
N4OGW

>
> From: "DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL" <[hidden email]>
> Date: 2006/09/26 Tue PM 08:12:05 EDT
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] RE: KPLUS (K3) Needed .....
>
> Heh heh heh...this is why we are still waiting for the next
> iteration...lack of consensus.
>
> I don't see anything different with your wish list compared to the K2
> with options other than the "bigger mechanics" and GC rx (which I
> don't want).
>
> Speaking as a contester (a rare breed among qrpers), my wish list includes:
>
> 1.  Faster tuning rate without having to resort to 0.1kc steps.  A
> bigger knob would be fine, but not really mandatory if the rate were
> faster.  Yeah, I know about the after market swap.  Even my FT817
> (with an itsy-bitsy knob) tunes faster and just a smoothly.
>
> 2.  Completely independant VFO's (ie, all parameters separate, such as
> my pet peeves, mode and filter selection).  PLEASE PLEASE
>
> 3.  Optocoupled RIT/XIT with "clear" button.  MANDATORY!!!!!
>
> 4.  Freq readout for both VFO's and RIT/XIT offset (three separate
> displays)  GOTTA HAVE IT.
>
> 5.  A faster/easier way (front panel knob) to adjust the sidetone/cw
> offset would be nice.  This is a fatigue fighting tool.  Going via the
> menu isn't terrible, but not efficient for contesting.  Sometimes you
> just need a change of pace.  NICE TO HAVE, but I could live w/o it.
> Also, since contesters use a computer for keying, swapping this
> function with the keyer speed would be just FINE with me.  I know it's
> a loser for the portable crowd.
>
> Frankly, during contesting, you don't twiddle the controls much.  The
> VFO moves all the times.  If you are running, the RIT is always
> moving' and you may pump in/out to a narrower filter setting (and it
> would be real nice to SEE that displayed full time also).
>
> If you are playing around with PBT or IF shift or DSP or NR, well, you
> are not winning the contest.
>
> As for SSB (which I don't much care for), an external AF to RF to AF
> clipper would be fine.  Internal RF clipping even better.  Of course,
> that would mean purchasing the SSB module.  LOL
>
> de Doug KR2Q
> _______________________________________________
> 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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