Elecraft

Suggested enhancements for K3

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Kidder, George

Suggested enhancements for K3

Two suggestions which can probably be added in firmware for K3 and K3s:

1) Allow different audio levels for speaker and phones, such as an
attenuation applicable to either.

2) Allow (but not require) the monitor level to be controlled along
with the receiver levels.

If either is already available for the K3, someone please let me know!

73 - George, W3HBM

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Jim - N4ST

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

Something I would like to see is an audio alert, beep, CW message if the SWR is over 3:1.
When operating digital modes, I'm often looking at the computer screen and not the rig.
Hate when I'm out of sync with my band and the proper antenna. 😉

_____________
73,
Jim - N4ST

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Kidder, George
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 20:20
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Suggested enhancements for K3

Two suggestions which can probably be added in firmware for K3 and K3s:

1) Allow different audio levels for speaker and phones, such as an attenuation applicable to either.

2) Allow (but not require) the monitor level to be controlled along with the receiver levels.

If either is already available for the K3, someone please let me know!

73 - George, W3HBM

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john@kk9a.com

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Kidder, George

My Telepost LP100 does a great job of giving high SWR warnings.

John KK9A

Jim - N4ST wrote:

Something I would like to see is an audio alert, beep, CW message if
the SWR is over 3:1.
When operating digital modes, I'm often looking at the computer screen
and not the rig.
Hate when I'm out of sync with my band and the proper antenna. 😉

_____________
73,
Jim - N4ST

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Drew AF2Z

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Jim - N4ST

I have also thought that an audible SWR indicator would be very useful
but never bothered to mention it as most would probably consider it to
be a little too gimmicky. But it would be quite handy for me when I'm
using an external match box-- when I lean across the desk to adjust it I
can no longer easily see the little SWR meter indicator in the K3 display.

I'd suggest a "geiger counter" type audible indicator: a fast beep for
SWR values greter than 3:1 and progressively slower as you zero in on 1:1.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 04/05/19 08:53, Jim - N4ST wrote:

> Something I would like to see is an audio alert, beep, CW message if the SWR is over 3:1.
> When operating digital modes, I'm often looking at the computer screen and not the rig.
> Hate when I'm out of sync with my band and the proper antenna. 😉
>
> _____________
> 73,
> Jim - N4ST
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Kidder, George
> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 20:20
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Suggested enhancements for K3
>
> Two suggestions which can probably be added in firmware for K3 and K3s:
>
> 1) Allow different audio levels for speaker and phones, such as an attenuation applicable to either.
>
> 2) Allow (but not require) the monitor level to be controlled along with the receiver levels.
>
> If either is already available for the K3, someone please let me know!
>
> 73 - George, W3HBM
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Drew AF2Z

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Kidder, George

I don't expect to see it for the K3 but perhaps someday a K4 will have a
CW pitch adjustment that:

a) does not blank the received signals when you engage it as the current
sidetone pitch adjustment does;

b) keeps the signal centered in the passband while pitch is adjusted,
unlike when you adjust RIT or VFO to change a signal's pitch.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 04/04/19 20:19, Kidder, George wrote:

> Two suggestions which can probably be added in firmware for K3 and K3s:
>
> 1) Allow different audio levels for speaker and phones, such as an
> attenuation applicable to either.
>
> 2) Allow (but not require) the monitor level to be controlled along
> with the receiver levels.
>
> If either is already available for the K3, someone please let me know!
>
> 73 - George, W3HBM
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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>

Grant Youngman-2

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Drew AF2Z

I suppose that would be useful, as long as it didn’t beep at you incessantly every time an internal ATU cycle was run.

But If I had to reach around to use an external matchbox and didn’t have a visual indication of SWR while trying to do that, I think I’d rearrange my station :-) Trying to tune a matchbox with nothing but a digital readout (rather than an analog meter indication) is a hair-pulling PITA anyway.

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091 KX3 #8342

> On Apr 5, 2019, at 12:25 PM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I have also thought that an audible SWR indicator would be very useful but never bothered to mention it as most would probably consider it to be a little too gimmicky. But it would be quite handy for me when I'm using an external match box-- when I lean across the desk to adjust it I can no longer easily see the little SWR meter indicator in the K3 display.
>
> I'd suggest a "geiger counter" type audible indicator: a fast beep for SWR values greter than 3:1 and progressively slower as you zero in on 1:1.
>

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Drew AF2Z

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

I suggest the audible SWR indicator be in effect only while the TUNE
button is being pressed. But I'm not sure if such an indicator is even
feasible as I understand there is some "mission critical" code in the K3
that senses catastrophic antenna failure. An audible SWR indicator might
perhaps steal some cycles from that code, I don't know. But again I
suggest it only while TUNE is engaged so perhaps we could risk not
having protection against an antenna failure during these brief tuning
periods and touching up the SWR.

As to my station arrangement, it is precisely the reason why I use a
manual t-match on the other end of the desk: to keep my endfed wire and
its counterpoises, which would otherwise connect directly to the K3,
nearer to their egress point from the shack. So, the arrangement is by
intention.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 04/05/19 12:48, Grant Youngman wrote:

> I suppose that would be useful, as long as it didn’t beep at you incessantly every time an internal ATU cycle was run.
>
> But If I had to reach around to use an external matchbox and didn’t have a visual indication of SWR while trying to do that, I think I’d rearrange my station :-) Trying to tune a matchbox with nothing but a digital readout (rather than an analog meter indication) is a hair-pulling PITA anyway.
>
>
> Grant NQ5T
> K3 #2091 KX3 #8342
>
>> On Apr 5, 2019, at 12:25 PM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I have also thought that an audible SWR indicator would be very useful but never bothered to mention it as most would probably consider it to be a little too gimmicky. But it would be quite handy for me when I'm using an external match box-- when I lean across the desk to adjust it I can no longer easily see the little SWR meter indicator in the K3 display.
>>
>> I'd suggest a "geiger counter" type audible indicator: a fast beep for SWR values greter than 3:1 and progressively slower as you zero in on 1:1.
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Buddy Brannan

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Drew AF2Z

The more audio alerts, the better, in my always humble opinion :-)

Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Email: [hidden email]
Mobile: (814) 431-0962

> On Apr 5, 2019, at 12:25 PM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I have also thought that an audible SWR indicator would be very useful but never bothered to mention it as most would probably consider it to be a little too gimmicky. But it would be quite handy for me when I'm using an external match box-- when I lean across the desk to adjust it I can no longer easily see the little SWR meter indicator in the K3 display.
>
> I'd suggest a "geiger counter" type audible indicator: a fast beep for SWR values greter than 3:1 and progressively slower as you zero in on 1:1.
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
>
>
>
> On 04/05/19 08:53, Jim - N4ST wrote:
>> Something I would like to see is an audio alert, beep, CW message if the SWR is over 3:1.
>> When operating digital modes, I'm often looking at the computer screen and not the rig.
>> Hate when I'm out of sync with my band and the proper antenna. 😉
>> _____________
>> 73,
>> Jim - N4ST
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Kidder, George
>> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 20:20
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Suggested enhancements for K3
>> Two suggestions which can probably be added in firmware for K3 and K3s:
>> 1) Allow different audio levels for speaker and phones, such as an attenuation applicable to either.
>> 2) Allow (but not require) the monitor level to be controlled along with the receiver levels.
>> If either is already available for the K3, someone please let me know!
>> 73 - George, W3HBM
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Drew AF2Z

I have my station set up such that I can see all the important stuff. I
don't need audible alarms on the radios, the computers or such.   I want
to OPERATE my station, enjoy it, learn from it and with it. I don't
want IT doing everything for me.   I want to be totally involved.   I
flew airplanes for some time, I understand "scanning the panel". It is
necessary.

While there are improvements that can be implemented in my K3S, I prefer
to take advantage of what it does and the way it does it and learn with
it. Otherwise, I write a chunk of code, load it on the computer and go
away while the station works the DX, logs the DX and uploads the logs
all while I sleep, eat, enjoy a movie and such.   Is that the direction
of hamming?   Nah, not even close.

Folks it is a hobby. I seem to think we are forgetting that. No
different than "Googling everything" and anytime there is a question.
Why not take time to Read The Manual or do other research to answer ones
question.    You'd be a lot smarter that way.    No different than the
professor saying he will give a final exam and provide the answers at
test time.   That's different to an open book test. Why then go to
class and perhaps learn something?   Just take the test, pass with
flying colors, and be as dumb as a box of rocks on the subject.   Is
that where we are going with the hobby?   Seems so.

Now you can delete this.   Thank you.

73

Bob, K4TAX

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Rose

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

Well said, Bob.

73 !

Ken Kopp - K0PP

On Fri, Apr 5, 2019, 12:38 Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have my station set up such that I can see all the important stuff. I
> don't need audible alarms on the radios, the computers or such. I want
> to OPERATE my station, enjoy it, learn from it and with it. I don't
> want IT doing everything for me. I want to be totally involved. I
> flew airplanes for some time, I understand "scanning the panel". It is
> necessary.
>
> While there are improvements that can be implemented in my K3S, I prefer
> to take advantage of what it does and the way it does it and learn with
> it. Otherwise, I write a chunk of code, load it on the computer and go
> away while the station works the DX, logs the DX and uploads the logs
> all while I sleep, eat, enjoy a movie and such. Is that the direction
> of hamming? Nah, not even close.
>
> Folks it is a hobby. I seem to think we are forgetting that. No
> different than "Googling everything" and anytime there is a question.
> Why not take time to Read The Manual or do other research to answer ones
> question. You'd be a lot smarter that way. No different than the
> professor saying he will give a final exam and provide the answers at
> test time. That's different to an open book test. Why then go to
> class and perhaps learn something? Just take the test, pass with
> flying colors, and be as dumb as a box of rocks on the subject. Is
> that where we are going with the hobby? Seems so.
>
> Now you can delete this. Thank you.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Suggested enhancements for K3

In reply to this post by Buddy Brannan

Great Ideas! May I suggest, in the name of ‘feature creep’, a suggestion? So, have the K3 or K3s dial up your cell phone where you can program specialty ring tones for all sorts of “mission critical” events. This will surely get our attention while in the heat of battle for another 59 contact. Or not!

James Forsman - K7BIE
[hidden email]
https://jrquark.smugmug.com/HamRadio

> On Apr 5, 2019, at 1:44 PM, Buddy Brannan <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The more audio alerts, the better, in my always humble opinion :-)
>
>
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Email: [hidden email]
> Mobile: (814) 431-0962
>
>
>
>> On Apr 5, 2019, at 12:25 PM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I have also thought that an audible SWR indicator would be very useful but never bothered to mention it as most would probably consider it to be a little too gimmicky. But it would be quite handy for me when I'm using an external match box-- when I lean across the desk to adjust it I can no longer easily see the little SWR meter indicator in the K3 display.
>>
>> I'd suggest a "geiger counter" type audible indicator: a fast beep for SWR values greter than 3:1 and progressively slower as you zero in on 1:1.
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>>
>>
>>
>> On 04/05/19 08:53, Jim - N4ST wrote:
>>> Something I would like to see is an audio alert, beep, CW message if the SWR is over 3:1.
>>> When operating digital modes, I'm often looking at the computer screen and not the rig.
>>> Hate when I'm out of sync with my band and the proper antenna. 😉
>>> _____________
>>> 73,
>>> Jim - N4ST
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Kidder, George
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 20:20
>>> To: [hidden email]
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] Suggested enhancements for K3
>>> Two suggestions which can probably be added in firmware for K3 and K3s:
>>> 1) Allow different audio levels for speaker and phones, such as an attenuation applicable to either.
>>> 2) Allow (but not require) the monitor level to be controlled along with the receiver levels.
>>> If either is already available for the K3, someone please let me know!
>>> 73 - George, W3HBM
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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