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W9OY on P3

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Julian, G4ILO

W9OY on P3

W9OY comments on the P3 panadapter in his blog: http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2010/02/orlando-hamcation-2010-plus-f3k-post.html . [Apoplexy alert: he doesn't say anything nice.]

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

juergen piezo

Re: W9OY on P3

Hi Julian

Looks like a jealous Flexradio fan.

So many Flexradio users have PC problems and hangups. I would not go near this concept. At least if you plug the P3 in it wont hangup. You certainly wont have to spend months seeking out a good motherboard that wont cause hangups or stutter.

I dont see Agilent bringing out test instruments with a PC for the main interface. They dont do this for for very good and valid reasons. Ham radios are exactly the same in nature, they need a front panel with knobs and buttons.

I dont mind using my Perseus for casual monitoring and testing tasks, however when tuning the bands for a long period of time I just shut the thing off and use a real VFO knob. Its the most efficient device ever invented for tuning, its the equivalent of the wheel for ham radio! We all know there's little point in reinventing the wheel!

Hail the VFO Knob!

John

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 1:11 AM
>
> W9OY comments on the P3 panadapter in his blog:
> http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2010/02/orlando-hamcation-2010-plus-f3k-post.html
> . [Apoplexy alert: he doesn't say anything nice.]
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/W9OY-on-P3-tp4596769p4596769.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

AD4C2009

Re: W9OY on P3

W9OY says:
"Elecraft had their little answer to the pan adapter, what a joke. It was a little screen maybe 9" and made the radio look like a toy. The quality of the display was horrible"

What can you expect from a Flex radio user,they all will attack our K3's,they all will critize our radios,they feel those Flex radios are the best in the world and nothing will be better for them,its a human nature to defend what we have but I would ask them, why Sherwood lab has the K3 on top of the list and then the "Flex 5000 takes second place? I will ask them to answer that simple question.

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, juergen <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: juergen <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3
To: [hidden email]
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 10:04 AM

Hi Julian

Looks like a jealous Flexradio fan.

So many Flexradio users have PC problems and hangups. I would not go near this concept. At least if you plug the P3 in it wont hangup. You certainly wont have to spend months seeking out a good motherboard that wont cause hangups or stutter.

I dont see Agilent bringing out test instruments with a PC for the main interface. They dont do this for for very good and valid reasons. Ham radios are exactly the same in nature, they need a front panel with knobs and buttons.

I dont mind using my Perseus for casual monitoring and testing tasks, however when tuning the bands for a long period of time I just shut the thing off and use a real VFO knob. Its the most efficient device ever invented for tuning, its the equivalent of the wheel for ham radio! We all know there's little point in reinventing the wheel!

Hail the VFO Knob!

John

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]> wrote:

Bob Naumann W5OV

Re: W9OY on P3

Let's be reasonable though - the Flex is not a piece of junk just because
it's in second place on the Sherwood list.

There's a whole lot of good radios behind the two of them further down the
list.

I think this W9OY, because of his obvious pro-Flex bias, should be given the
same respect as W2OY was in the "olde days". (He was the "CQ CQ, no kids, no
lids, no space cadets" guy).

W5OV

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hector Padron
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 6:01 AM
To: juergen
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3

W9OY says:
"Elecraft had their little answer to the pan adapter, what a joke. It was a
little screen maybe 9" and made the radio look like a toy. The quality of
the display was horrible"

What can you expect from a Flex radio user,they all will attack our
K3's,they all will critize our radios,they feel those Flex radios are the
best in the world and nothing will be better for them,its a human nature to
defend what we have but I would ask them, why Sherwood lab has the K3 on top
of the list and then the "Flex 5000 takes second place? I will ask them to
answer that simple question.

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, juergen <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: juergen <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3
To: [hidden email]
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 10:04 AM

Hi Julian

Looks like a jealous Flexradio fan.

So many Flexradio users have PC problems and hangups. I would not go near
this concept. At least if you plug the P3 in it wont hangup. You certainly
wont have to spend months seeking out a good motherboard that wont cause
hangups or stutter.

I dont see Agilent bringing out test instruments with a PC for the main
interface. They dont do this for for very good and valid reasons. Ham
radios are exactly the same in nature, they need a front panel with knobs
and buttons.

I dont mind using my Perseus for casual monitoring and testing tasks,
however when tuning the bands for a long period of time I just shut the
thing off and use a real VFO knob. Its the most efficient device ever
invented for tuning, its the equivalent of the wheel for ham radio! We all
know there's little point in reinventing the wheel!

Hail the VFO Knob!

John

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 1:11 AM
>
> W9OY comments on the P3 panadapter in his blog:
>
http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2010/02/orlando-hamcation-2010-plus-f3k-post.ht
ml

> . [Apoplexy alert: he doesn't say anything nice.]
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>
> --
> View this message in context:

http://n2.nabble.com/W9OY-on-P3-tp4596769p4596769.html

> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Julian, G4ILO

Re: W9OY on P3

Bob Naumann wrote

Let's be reasonable though - the Flex is not a piece of junk just because
it's in second place on the Sherwood list.

There's a whole lot of good radios behind the two of them further down the
list.

I think this W9OY, because of his obvious pro-Flex bias, should be given the
same respect as W2OY was in the "olde days". (He was the "CQ CQ, no kids, no
lids, no space cadets" guy).

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: W9OY on P3

Julian,

I just found that setting up Flex software is not a trivial task. I
spent 2 days getting my software installation for my Softrock/Z10000 -
E-MU 202 soundcard addition to my K3 working. It did not go smoothly,
but the document that Larry Phipps wrote certainly provided great help.
It is not a "plug n play" operation.
As a side-note, I am using a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 with 1 GB of RAM, running
WinXP Pro and the CPU utilization ranges from 50% to 90%, so anyone
thinking of choosing this alternative with a lesser computer had better
think about a new computer first. The Softrock solution is inexpensive
*unless* one has to purchase a computer too. If one includes the
computer cost, the P3 is inexpensive.

73,
Don W3FPR

Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> I found it rather amusing that the bulk of this post, many paragraphs,
> contained a description of setting up a Flex station for portable use. It
> involved installing the .Net framework, installing drivers, configuring
> buffers, recalibrating the radio, installing a virtual audio cable and
> virtual serial port. Someone using a K3 would probably have got 200 contacts
> in the log by that point. I don't think it was intentional, but to me he
> just made the case for why so many of us prefer the Elecraft approach.
>
______________________________________________________________
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Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2

Re: W9OY on P3

The flex radio's are fine and very good radio's.

The Flex-radio concept is just different form the Elecraft concept.

73
Arie PA3A

______________________________________________________________
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AD4C2009

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Bob Naumann W5OV

Let's be reasonable though - the Flex is not a piece of junk just because
it's in second place on the Sherwood list.

There's a whole lot of good radios behind the two of them further down the
list.

I think this W9OY, because of his obvious pro-Flex bias, should be given the
same respect as W2OY was in the "olde days". (He was the "CQ CQ, no kids, no
lids, no space cadets" guy).

W5OV

Yes you are absolutely right,the Flex-5000 is an oustanding radio and If I want to buy a backup radio it might be that but the point is that he TRASHED OUT the K3 at all with his comment and that is not fare in my opinion although I will respect his.He simply does not know what he is saying at all.

AD4C

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hector Padron
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 6:01 AM
To: juergen
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3

W9OY says:
"Elecraft had their little answer to the pan adapter, what a joke. It was a
little screen maybe 9" and made the radio look like a toy. The quality of
the display was horrible"

What can you expect from a Flex radio user,they all will attack our
K3's,they all will critize our radios,they feel those Flex radios are the
best in the world and nothing will be better for them,its a human nature to
defend what we have but I would ask them, why Sherwood lab has the K3 on top
of the list and then the "Flex 5000 takes second place? I will ask them to
answer that simple question.

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, juergen <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: juergen <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3
To: [hidden email]
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 10:04 AM

Hi Julian

Looks like a jealous Flexradio fan.

So many Flexradio users have PC problems and hangups. I would not go near
this concept. At least if you plug the P3 in it wont hangup. You certainly
wont have to spend months seeking out a good motherboard that wont cause
hangups or stutter.

I dont see Agilent bringing out test instruments with a PC for the main
interface. They dont do this for for very good and valid reasons. Ham
radios are exactly the same in nature, they need a front panel with knobs
and buttons.

I dont mind using my Perseus for casual monitoring and testing tasks,
however when tuning the bands for a long period of time I just shut the
thing off and use a real VFO knob. Its the most efficient device ever
invented for tuning, its the equivalent of the wheel for ham radio! We all
know there's little point in reinventing the wheel!

Hail the VFO Knob!

John

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] W9OY on P3
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 1:11 AM
>
> W9OY comments on the P3 panadapter in his blog:
>
http://w9oy-sdr.blogspot.com/2010/02/orlando-hamcation-2010-plus-f3k-post.ht
ml

http://n2.nabble.com/W9OY-on-P3-tp4596769p4596769.html

AD4C2009

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

>
> Let's be reasonable though - the Flex is not a piece of junk just because
> it's in second place on the Sherwood list.
>
> There's a whole lot of good radios behind the two of them further down the
> list.
>
> I think this W9OY, because of his obvious pro-Flex bias, should be given
> the
> same respect as W2OY was in the "olde days". (He was the "CQ CQ, no kids,
> no
> lids, no space cadets" guy).
>
>

I found it rather amusing that the bulk of this post, many paragraphs,
contained a description of setting up a Flex station for portable use. It
involved installing the .Net framework, installing drivers, configuring
buffers, recalibrating the radio, installing a virtual audio cable and
virtual serial port. Someone using a K3 would probably have got 200 contacts
in the log by that point. I don't think it was intentional, but to me he
just made the case for why so many of us prefer the Elecraft approach.

-----
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

--
View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/W9OY-on-P3-tp4596769p4597572.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Julian, G4ILO

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

That's a very interesting observation, Don. I recently got a new computer but I didn't get it to have it bogged down by a CPU hog quite this soon. As well as the cost of the computer you also need to include the cost of the high end sound card. The P3 is looking more cost effective by the minute.

Don Wilhelm-4 wrote

I just found that setting up Flex software is not a trivial task. I
spent 2 days getting my software installation for my Softrock/Z10000 -
E-MU 202 soundcard addition to my K3 working. It did not go smoothly,
but the document that Larry Phipps wrote certainly provided great help.
It is not a "plug n play" operation.
As a side-note, I am using a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 with 1 GB of RAM, running
WinXP Pro and the CPU utilization ranges from 50% to 90%, so anyone
thinking of choosing this alternative with a lesser computer had better
think about a new computer first. The Softrock solution is inexpensive
*unless* one has to purchase a computer too. If one includes the
computer cost, the P3 is inexpensive.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

Julian, G4ILO

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2

Quite so, and if I could order one of the new QRP 1500s for what they cost in the US rather than what we'll end up paying over here I'd be tempted to get one just to try it out. Most of the issues seem to be a consequence of the software implementation rather than problems with the idea of SDR itself. Installing net frameworks and virtual audio cables - let's face it not all radio enthusiasts are computer wizards and even those of us who are supposed to be knowledgeable are not immune to blue screens of death and the like. And I think the CW latency issues I've read about are due largely to the fact that Windows isn't a realtime OS so you need a powerful CPU and plenty of buffering to ensure that pauses don't occur when the OS is busy doing something else.

If the software side came on a dedicated board with its own processor and OS then you wouldn't have to worry about any of that, except to update the software now and again. But hang on, isn't that more or less what the K3 is, except you get knobs and buttons as well?

Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2 wrote

The flex radio's are fine and very good radio's.

The Flex-radio concept is just different form the Elecraft concept.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

ab2tc

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by AD4C2009

Hi,

I don't think anybody is saying Flex is a piece of junk. Its receiver's number two position on the Sherwood list is outstanding and the audio on the air is the best there is. I have worked a number of them and they always sound great. But the software is not for the faint of heart. I use LP-PAN with my K3 and the modified PowerSDR software (one of the several versions). I see on Larry's Yahoo group that there is now a new version out with a resulting explosion of activity on the group. I am not ready to jump in. The version I am using is reasonably stable (except it always loses communications with the K3 after a while) and I am not ready to fight with not-so-plug-and-play installation of the new version, even if the new display is a little prettier and the elimination of unusable buttons is welcome. I don't agree with W9OY that the P3 looks like a joke, but really it doesn't come close to the gorgeous high resolution PowerSDR panadapter display on a high resolution monitor. But they really need to work on making that software a little easier to install and maintain. It is really the only serious knock against the LP-PAN panadapter solution.

AB2TC - Knut

AD4C2009 wrote

Let's be reasonable though - the Flex is not a piece of junk just because
it's in second place on the Sherwood list.

There's a whole lot of good radios behind the two of them further down the
list.

I think this W9OY, because of his obvious pro-Flex bias, should be given the
same respect as W2OY was in the "olde days". (He was the "CQ CQ, no kids, no
lids, no space cadets" guy).

W5OV

<snip>

Ted Roycraft

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

Julian,

To really make the analogy fair, you would have to assemble the K3 from
a kit while in the field. Sure, there's setup for the flex but it's
basically a one time thing - as building the K3 is.

73, Ted, W2ZK

On 2/19/2010 7:34 AM, Julian, G4ILO wrote:

>
> Bob Naumann wrote:
>
>> Let's be reasonable though - the Flex is not a piece of junk just because
>> it's in second place on the Sherwood list.
>>
>> There's a whole lot of good radios behind the two of them further down the
>> list.
>>
>> I think this W9OY, because of his obvious pro-Flex bias, should be given
>> the
>> same respect as W2OY was in the "olde days". (He was the "CQ CQ, no kids,
>> no
>> lids, no space cadets" guy).
>>
>>
>>
> I found it rather amusing that the bulk of this post, many paragraphs,
> contained a description of setting up a Flex station for portable use. It
> involved installing the .Net framework, installing drivers, configuring
> buffers, recalibrating the radio, installing a virtual audio cable and
> virtual serial port. Someone using a K3 would probably have got 200 contacts
> in the log by that point. I don't think it was intentional, but to me he
> just made the case for why so many of us prefer the Elecraft approach.
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>
>

lstavenhagen

Re: W9OY on P3

Well, I don't know about anyone else but ham radio is one of the activities I partake in to get away from computers ;).
But then again I'm a software engineer and by the end of the day have pretty much had enough of fighting with Windows and .NET, etc. hi hi and want to do something else.

Tho all that said, I looked at the Flex briefly not too long ago when I was shopping for an HF rig. I had to reject it right away because it only supported Windows (I"m a MacOS X user). Don't know if that's true anymore or not.

Seems like an interesting idea; they just need to choose a better SW platform than Windows/.NET ;)

Also, the performance no's of the Flex 5000 look really good too. But then again, you can have that and a little more with the K3 _and_ not have to fight someone's Byzantine array of SW drivers, cables, endless configuration options and SW with who-knows-what wrong with it with every release....

JMO,
LS
W5QD, K2 #6882

Barry N1EU

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by AD4C2009

AD4C2009 wrote

the point is that he TRASHED OUT the K3 at all with his comment and that is not fare in my opinion although I will respect his.He simply does not know what he is saying at all.

All he said was that he didn't like the P3 display. He didn't make a single negative comment about the K3.

73,
Barry N1EU

Bob - W0GI

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Ted Roycraft

That blog seems to be "The world revolves around Flex". Beyond the dig on the P3, there was the dig on the Yaesu FT5000. "Ho HUM"? Now that's the way to judge a radio.

I guess we don't have to see a P3 up close to know that the screen doesn't look as good as a 40" monitor. :>) The point of the P3 is portabilty, not watching BluRay movies.

As for the FT5000, it looks like the best radio Yaesu has come out with for a long time. Using the 9mHz first IF with narrow roofing filters, it will probably be up there with the top receivers in blocking. It also has lots of buttons and knobs for those that want them. If I had lots of money, and there was no K3, I would probably replace the Mark-V with one.

The Flex-5000a is a fine radio, other then issues with CW, but I wouldn't want to be married to PowerSDR.

I still like knobs, and when PowerSDR-IF is running to use the pandapter, I still spin the knobs on the K3, and avoid that mouse. :>)

Some hams seem to think the only good radio is the one they have. In reality, there are lots of good radios.

Well I have a K3 and it is the best....... well I will not go there. :>)

David Christ

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by lstavenhagen

To me it is comparing apples and oranges. With the K3 the computer
is optional. With the Flex the computer is mandatory. To use the K3
you only need the K3 itself, an antenna, and a key or mike. With the
flex you need a bit more. And as has been mentioned before, the K3
will be useable long after Windows xx no longer supports the Flex
software and no one wants to update it. I still have a Yaesu FT-101B
and FT-101ZD. Both perfectly useable even though about 30 years old.
I have confidence that my K3 will still be workable after 30 years.
I am less sure about the Flex radios.

David K0LUM

At 7:14 AM -0800 2/19/10, lstavenhagen wrote:

>Well, I don't know about anyone else but ham radio is one of the activities I
>partake in to get away from computers ;).
>But then again I'm a software engineer and by the end of the day have pretty
>much had enough of fighting with Windows and .NET, etc. hi hi and want to do
>something else.
>
>Tho all that said, I looked at the Flex briefly not too long ago when I was
>shopping for an HF rig. I had to reject it right away because it only
>supported Windows (I"m a MacOS X user). Don't know if that's true anymore or
>not.
>
>Seems like an interesting idea; they just need to choose a better SW
>platform than Windows/.NET ;)
>
>Also, the performance no's of the Flex 5000 look really good too. But then
>again, you can have that and a little more with the K3 _and_ not have to
>fight someone's Byzantine array of SW drivers, cables, endless configuration
>options and SW with who-knows-what wrong with it with every release....
>
>JMO,
>LS
>W5QD, K2 #6882

MontyS

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

At $400 for a decent PC, including 19-inch monitor (multiple items on
BestBuy website, used and new), and $310 for an LP-PAN kit and an EMU-0202
sound card, the choice of a P3 strikes me as having to be based on other
than economics. Plus, as Don says, you have the fun of learning the ins and
outs of PowerSDR-IF and LP-BRIDGE, both free. Aspirin not included.

Monty K2DLJ

>
> That's a very interesting observation, Don. I recently got a new computer
> but
> I didn't get it to have it bogged down by a CPU hog quite this soon. As
> well
> as the cost of the computer you also need to include the cost of the high
> end sound card. The P3 is looking more cost effective by the minute.
>
>
> Don Wilhelm-4 wrote:
>>

The Softrock solution is inexpensive
>> *unless* one has to purchase a computer too. If one includes the
>> computer cost, the P3 is inexpensive.
>>

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Matt Zilmer

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

Hear, hear!

Julian, I just joined up with MARS - our Military Auxiliary Radio
System in the US. One of the objectives I have (now, reinforced by
MARS) is to be able to pack up the station and go where needed. Of
course this also applies to contesting, mobile ops, emergencies, etc.

A standalone rig is vital to the objective above. And not having to
do more than plug in cables is equally important, because it seems
like set up time may be short. So far, I've been able to tear down
the station and set it up after travel in record time. Something less
than 30 minutes at each end, neglecting far-end antenna set up time.

Simply put, I've never been so pleased with a 10 pound box in my life.
That Elecraft slogan, "You can take it with you", to me, has become
almost everything of importance. [True, this is a recent
development...] All of the station fits into a large gym bag, plus a
Pelican-like carry case. All of it, even stuff for data modes.

It's also important for this type of operation to not have a PC or any
similarly complicated piece of equipment get in the way of operating
once the station is set up. I've never had to wait long for the K3 to
boot up, it's never blue-screened on me, and it doesn't scream at me
for security updates. That is a tactical advantage that no PC-based
solution could ever provide.

I'm not trying to say that Flex (or whatever competition the K3 has)
is not a good solution. It may be for a different setting, or the
designers had different goals, etc. But if your interests run to
portable operation, quick set ups and tear downs, and so on, the K3 is
a better choice.

Just my thoughts on the subject. I have no financial relationship
with Elecraft, except the part where I pay them for new bits on K3
#24.

73,
matt W6NIA

>I found it rather amusing that the bulk of this post, many paragraphs,
>contained a description of setting up a Flex station for portable use. It
>involved installing the .Net framework, installing drivers, configuring
>buffers, recalibrating the radio, installing a virtual audio cable and
>virtual serial port. Someone using a K3 would probably have got 200 contacts
>in the log by that point. I don't think it was intentional, but to me he
>just made the case for why so many of us prefer the Elecraft approach.
>
>-----
>Julian, G4ILO

alorona

Re: W9OY on P3

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

Just a minor point: There might be a misconception that high CPU utilization means your computer is inadequate for the task.

Actually, you want the CPU to work hard for you. It isn't only CPU you should worry about, it's what is called the 'run queue'. The run queue determines how long your job has to wait until it's serviced by the computer. It's okay to have 100% CPU (and in fact you want it) if you don't have to wait at all.

A person assessing the performance of a computer looks at several other things besides CPU when determining what to tune for better performance.

Don Wilhelm-4 wrote:
>
>
> I am using a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 with 1 GB of RAM, running
> WinXP Pro and the CPU utilization ranges from 50% to 90%, so anyone
> thinking of choosing this alternative with a lesser computer had better
> think about a new computer first.
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