RE: Programmable mode/band Fwd: K3 suggestion for future release (read later)

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

Dave:

Glad I'm not the only one who is thinking this way....

de Doug KR2Q

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <[hidden email]>
Date: Jun 17, 2007 7:10 AM
Subject: K3 suggestion for future release (read later)
To: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft <[hidden email]>, wayne burdick
<[hidden email]>, lyle johnson <[hidden email]>


K3FAQ sez:

How do you change bands on the K3? Do you have to toggle through all
the bands to get to the desired one?

You can change bands in several ways:

- With the BAND UP and BAND DOWN buttons
- Using direct frequency entry; two methods:
        1. Enter a frequency in MHz and then a decimal point, e.g.
"7."  jumps to 7.000 MHz (40 meters)
        2. Enter a frequency in kHz and then a decimal point, e.g.
"1825." jumps to 1.825 MHz (160 meters)
- Using general-purpose memories (100) for your favorite bands/modes,
including 5-character names that you assign to each memory)
- Using a computer program to control the radio


HOW ABOUT ADDING THIS:
When using the band up/down button, enable a feature that allows to
SKIP certain bands.  I am thinking "contesting."  For example, to get
from 10 to 20, using the Band Up/Down would take 4 pushes.  If you
know that you won't be on 12 and 17 (cuz it's a contest) and you could
disable them (or skip them, whatever you want to call it), then it
would only take 2 pushes of the Band Up/Down button.

Additionally, and even though it might be "faster" to go from 160 to
10 by pushing the UP button, during a contest, my brain doesn't
usually think that way and I go back DOWN through 80, 40, 30, 20, 17,
15, 12, finally to ten.  It requires less thinking (believe it or
not), even though it clearly would take way more time.

While the 160 to 10 example is "easy" to figure out, but if I'm on 40
and want to get 10, I don't want to "think about" or "remember" what
is the fastest path.  So just thinking "higher band" vs "lower band"
is simpler (at least for me).

As I really don't know how the memory function will work yet, this
might be moot.  From your description, it sounds like pushing "7
decimal" gets you to 7.000 instead of the last QRG you used.  I assume
that using the Band Up/Down will get you back to your last QRG.  Yes?
Also, I am pretty sure that you actually would be required to do at
least one more keystroke (FREQ ENT) to get into direct freq entry
mode, beyond simply tapping "7" then "decimal point."  I assume that
you have to terminate the sequence with another FREQ ENT, otherwise
how one enter a discrete frequency (say, 21066)?  So if I counted
correctly (to just change bands using the keypad), you need at least 4
key strokes.  Might as well use the Band Up/Down.

As I sed...for a future release, if you think there might be wider
appeal than just for me.

de Doug KR2Q
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[Chris G3SJJ]

I don't think it is too much of a problem in the heat of a contest as
you can enter the frequency or mode into the the logging window. I
particuarly do this a lot in the FOC Marathon where it is commonplace to
move someone through all 6 bands in less than two minutes. He says " Try
15m," you respond 21045 on the paddle and immediately type and enter
that. You're there. Complete the QSO and do the same for another band.

Chris G3SJJ




DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:

> Dave:
>
> Glad I'm not the only one who is thinking this way....
>
> de Doug KR2Q
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL <[hidden email]>
> Date: Jun 17, 2007 7:10 AM
> Subject: K3 suggestion for future release (read later)
> To: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft <[hidden email]>, wayne burdick
> <[hidden email]>, lyle johnson <[hidden email]>
>
>
> K3FAQ sez:
>
> How do you change bands on the K3? Do you have to toggle through all
> the bands to get to the desired one?
>
> You can change bands in several ways:
>
> - With the BAND UP and BAND DOWN buttons
> - Using direct frequency entry; two methods:
>        1. Enter a frequency in MHz and then a decimal point, e.g.
> "7."  jumps to 7.000 MHz (40 meters)
>        2. Enter a frequency in kHz and then a decimal point, e.g.
> "1825." jumps to 1.825 MHz (160 meters)
> - Using general-purpose memories (100) for your favorite bands/modes,
> including 5-character names that you assign to each memory)
> - Using a computer program to control the radio
>
>
> HOW ABOUT ADDING THIS:
> When using the band up/down button, enable a feature that allows to
> SKIP certain bands.  I am thinking "contesting."  For example, to get
> from 10 to 20, using the Band Up/Down would take 4 pushes.  If you
> know that you won't be on 12 and 17 (cuz it's a contest) and you could
> disable them (or skip them, whatever you want to call it), then it
> would only take 2 pushes of the Band Up/Down button.
>
> Additionally, and even though it might be "faster" to go from 160 to
> 10 by pushing the UP button, during a contest, my brain doesn't
> usually think that way and I go back DOWN through 80, 40, 30, 20, 17,
> 15, 12, finally to ten.  It requires less thinking (believe it or
> not), even though it clearly would take way more time.
>
> While the 160 to 10 example is "easy" to figure out, but if I'm on 40
> and want to get 10, I don't want to "think about" or "remember" what
> is the fastest path.  So just thinking "higher band" vs "lower band"
> is simpler (at least for me).
>
> As I really don't know how the memory function will work yet, this
> might be moot.  From your description, it sounds like pushing "7
> decimal" gets you to 7.000 instead of the last QRG you used.  I assume
> that using the Band Up/Down will get you back to your last QRG.  Yes?
> Also, I am pretty sure that you actually would be required to do at
> least one more keystroke (FREQ ENT) to get into direct freq entry
> mode, beyond simply tapping "7" then "decimal point."  I assume that
> you have to terminate the sequence with another FREQ ENT, otherwise
> how one enter a discrete frequency (say, 21066)?  So if I counted
> correctly (to just change bands using the keypad), you need at least 4
> key strokes.  Might as well use the Band Up/Down.
>
> As I sed...for a future release, if you think there might be wider
> appeal than just for me.
>
> 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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