Elecraft › [K3]

k3 and field day

Classic

List

Threaded

13 messages Options

ve3dvy

k3 and field day

I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
periodically be connected to a beam when its available.

Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
messed up.

What settings have others used in this situation. and what
precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.

Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
David Moes

VE3DVY

______________________________________________________________
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

K4QE

Re: k3 and field day

David,

This applies to ANY competition class radio, not just the K3.

I strongly recommend AGAINST bringing out your radio out unless you know for
a fact that those who will be using it know how to use it already.

If it is a free-for-all, you should only take out a radio that is
dead-simple to operate like an ICOM IC-718, a Yaesu FT-840, or a Yaesu
FT-747.

Otherwise, you will be constantly be asked questions and/or really
frustrating operators. Even worse, they might get the radio into some state
rendering it unusable (yes, it DOES happen) and without a quick resolution
because you won't know exactly what they changed.

Sorry, but it is really not worth your trouble unless you know the operators
are K3-aware.

73, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:29 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] k3 and field day

I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
periodically be connected to a beam when its available.

Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
messed up.

What settings have others used in this situation. and what
precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.

Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
David Moes

VE3DVY

______________________________________________________________
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

Rose

Re: k3 and field day

Been there, done that, as they say ... (;-)

If you still want to do it, I strongly suggest you copy all
the radio's parameters to a laptop so you can "fix" it on
the fly.

My K3 no longer goes to FD ...

73!

Ken -K0PP

On Fri, May 11, 2012 at 5:04 PM, Anthony Scandurra K4QE <[hidden email]>wrote:

> David,
>
> This applies to ANY competition class radio, not just the K3.
>
> I strongly recommend AGAINST bringing out your radio out unless you know
> for
> a fact that those who will be using it know how to use it already.
>
> If it is a free-for-all, you should only take out a radio that is
> dead-simple to operate like an ICOM IC-718, a Yaesu FT-840, or a Yaesu
> FT-747.
>
> Otherwise, you will be constantly be asked questions and/or really
> frustrating operators. Even worse, they might get the radio into some
> state
> rendering it unusable (yes, it DOES happen) and without a quick resolution
> because you won't know exactly what they changed.
>
> Sorry, but it is really not worth your trouble unless you know the
> operators
> are K3-aware.
>
> 73, Tony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:29 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] k3 and field day
>
> I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
> advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
> of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
> periodically be connected to a beam when its available.
>
> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
> know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
> lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
> messed up.
>
> What settings have others used in this situation. and what
> precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.
>
>
>
> Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
> David Moes
>
> VE3DVY
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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

Tom Azlin N4ZPT-2

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

Hi David,

We ( Vienna Wireless Society) have had multiple Elecraft K3s our for our
field day. Did not seem any more difficult that other radios we have had
out. I think there is a locked setting to limit amount of messing up the
settings. We usually had someone around that knew how to reset the
radios. But we had that sort of issue with a TenTec Orion and a
FT-1000MP previous years. So no worse experience with K3s than any other
radio brought out with those that did not own one.

We used mono-band antennas for 40m CW and SSB stations and multi band
antennas for our other two stations. Had two sets of band pass filters
but discovered the K3s were just fine without.

We have also had a 3 band Spiderbeam up on a 15 meter mast for the
non-40 SSB station which got us a nice signal to the West.

we do not like multiband antennas in general. lately we have been using
two element wire yagis pointed towards the West coast ( we are in Virginia).

73, tom n4zpt

On 5/11/2012 12:29 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
> advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
> of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
> periodically be connected to a beam when its available.
>
> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
> know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
> lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
> messed up.
>
> What settings have others used in this situation. and what
> precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.
>
>
>
> Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
> David Moes
>
> VE3DVY
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Tom Azlin N4ZPT-2

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by Rose

The K3 configuration utility is handy that way! ( same with the KX3
configuration utility).

73, tom n4zpt

On 5/11/2012 1:13 PM, Rose wrote:

> Been there, done that, as they say ... (;-)
>
> If you still want to do it, I strongly suggest you copy all
> the radio's parameters to a laptop so you can "fix" it on
> the fly.
>
> My K3 no longer goes to FD ...
>
> 73!
>
> Ken -K0PP
>
> On Fri, May 11, 2012 at 5:04 PM, Anthony Scandurra K4QE<[hidden email]>wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> This applies to ANY competition class radio, not just the K3.
>>
>> I strongly recommend AGAINST bringing out your radio out unless you know
>> for
>> a fact that those who will be using it know how to use it already.
>>
>> If it is a free-for-all, you should only take out a radio that is
>> dead-simple to operate like an ICOM IC-718, a Yaesu FT-840, or a Yaesu
>> FT-747.
>>
>> Otherwise, you will be constantly be asked questions and/or really
>> frustrating operators. Even worse, they might get the radio into some
>> state
>> rendering it unusable (yes, it DOES happen) and without a quick resolution
>> because you won't know exactly what they changed.
>>
>> Sorry, but it is really not worth your trouble unless you know the
>> operators
>> are K3-aware.
>>
>> 73, Tony
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:29 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] k3 and field day
>>
>> I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
>> advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
>> of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
>> periodically be connected to a beam when its available.
>>
>> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
>> know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
>> lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
>> messed up.
>>
>> What settings have others used in this situation. and what
>> precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
>> David Moes
>>
>> VE3DVY
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
> 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
>
>

ve3dvy

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

I agree that this is risky but Id like to point out thatit will be
used by a core group. who are pretty dedicated and they are all used
to some pretty nice rigs just none a K3 It will not be the GOTA
station we have a ts430 for that. I am just wanting to avoid to much
confusion. If we all had a few old rigs kicking arround we would use
them. having the config files to correct someones boo boo is a
great idea. I guess I would have thought of that eventually.

David Moes
VE3DVY

On Friday 11/05/2012 at 1:04 pm, Anthony Scandurra K4QE wrote:

> David,
>
> This applies to ANY competition class radio, not just the K3.
>
> I strongly recommend AGAINST bringing out your radio out unless you
> know for
> a fact that those who will be using it know how to use it already.
>
> If it is a free-for-all, you should only take out a radio that is
> dead-simple to operate like an ICOM IC-718, a Yaesu FT-840, or a
> Yaesu
> FT-747.
>
> Otherwise, you will be constantly be asked questions and/or really
> frustrating operators. Even worse, they might get the radio into some
> state
> rendering it unusable (yes, it DOES happen) and without a quick
> resolution
> because you won't know exactly what they changed.
>
> Sorry, but it is really not worth your trouble unless you know the
> operators
> are K3-aware.
>
> 73, Tony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:29 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] k3 and field day
>
> I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
> advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
> of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
> periodically be connected to a beam when its available.
>
> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
> know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
> lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
> messed up.
>
> What settings have others used in this situation. and what
> precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.
>
>
>
> Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
> David Moes
>
> VE3DVY
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Buck - k4ia

Re: k3 and field day

I've taken mine out on Field Day for the past 3 years. Not a problem.

If you're really worried, use the K3 utility to back up your settings
and you can restore pretty easily.

If that doesn't work, post the following:

ACHTUNG!
Alles touristen und non-technischen look unds peepers!

Das machin kontrol is nicht fur dial gespinnen, finger gepoken und
mitten grabben.
Uderwise ist easy schnappen der springenverk, blowen fuzen, und poppen
corken mit spitzen sparken.

Der radio machine ist fur experten operator.
Ist nicht fur geverken by dumpkopfen.

Rubber necken zighten seers keepen sur cotton picken hands in sur pockets.

Pencil necken geeken farbs - relaxen, und vatchen das blinken lights.

Buck
k4ia

On 5/11/2012 3:11 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> I agree that this is risky but Id like to point out thatit will be
> used by a core group. who are pretty dedicated and they are all used
> to some pretty nice rigs just none a K3 It will not be the GOTA
> station we have a ts430 for that. I am just wanting to avoid to much
> confusion. If we all had a few old rigs kicking arround we would use
> them. having the config files to correct someones boo boo is a
> great idea. I guess I would have thought of that eventually.
>
>
> David Moes
> VE3DVY
>
>
> On Friday 11/05/2012 at 1:04 pm, Anthony Scandurra K4QE wrote:
>> David,
>>
>> This applies to ANY competition class radio, not just the K3.
>>
>> I strongly recommend AGAINST bringing out your radio out unless you
>> know for
>> a fact that those who will be using it know how to use it already.
>>
>> If it is a free-for-all, you should only take out a radio that is
>> dead-simple to operate like an ICOM IC-718, a Yaesu FT-840, or a
>> Yaesu
>> FT-747.
>>
>> Otherwise, you will be constantly be asked questions and/or really
>> frustrating operators. Even worse, they might get the radio into some
>> state
>> rendering it unusable (yes, it DOES happen) and without a quick
>> resolution
>> because you won't know exactly what they changed.
>>
>> Sorry, but it is really not worth your trouble unless you know the
>> operators
>> are K3-aware.
>>
>> 73, Tony
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:29 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] k3 and field day
>>
>> I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
>> advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
>> of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
>> periodically be connected to a beam when its available.
>>
>> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
>> know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
>> lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
>> messed up.
>>
>> What settings have others used in this situation. and what
>> precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.
>>
>>
>>
>> Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
>> David Moes
>>
>> VE3DVY
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
> 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

ve3dvy

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

I like it

we used to have the same warning in the control booth at a local
community theatre.

David Moes
VE3DVY

On Friday 11/05/2012 at 3:39 pm, Buck - k4ia wrote:

> I've taken mine out on Field Day for the past 3 years. Not a problem.
>
> If you're really worried, use the K3 utility to back up your settings
> and you can restore pretty easily.
>
> If that doesn't work, post the following:
>
> ACHTUNG!
> Alles touristen und non-technischen look unds peepers!
>
> Das machin kontrol is nicht fur dial gespinnen, finger gepoken und
> mitten grabben.
> Uderwise ist easy schnappen der springenverk, blowen fuzen, und poppen
> corken mit spitzen sparken.
>
> Der radio machine ist fur experten operator.
> Ist nicht fur geverken by dumpkopfen.
>
> Rubber necken zighten seers keepen sur cotton picken hands in sur
> pockets.
>
> Pencil necken geeken farbs - relaxen, und vatchen das blinken lights.
>
> Buck
> k4ia
>
>
> On 5/11/2012 3:11 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> I agree that this is risky but Id like to point out thatit will be
>> used by a core group. who are pretty dedicated and they are all used
>> to some pretty nice rigs just none a K3 It will not be the GOTA
>> station we have a ts430 for that. I am just wanting to avoid to much
>> confusion. If we all had a few old rigs kicking arround we would use
>> them. having the config files to correct someones boo boo is a
>> great idea. I guess I would have thought of that eventually.
>>
>>
>> David Moes
>> VE3DVY
>>
>>
>> On Friday 11/05/2012 at 1:04 pm, Anthony Scandurra K4QE wrote:
>>>
>>> David,
>>>
>>> This applies to ANY competition class radio, not just the K3.
>>>
>>> I strongly recommend AGAINST bringing out your radio out unless you
>>> know for
>>> a fact that those who will be using it know how to use it already.
>>>
>>> If it is a free-for-all, you should only take out a radio that is
>>> dead-simple to operate like an ICOM IC-718, a Yaesu FT-840, or a
>>> Yaesu
>>> FT-747.
>>>
>>> Otherwise, you will be constantly be asked questions and/or really
>>> frustrating operators. Even worse, they might get the radio into some
>>> state
>>> rendering it unusable (yes, it DOES happen) and without a quick
>>> resolution
>>> because you won't know exactly what they changed.
>>>
>>> Sorry, but it is really not worth your trouble unless you know the
>>> operators
>>> are K3-aware.
>>>
>>> 73, Tony
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [hidden email]
>>> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 12:29 PM
>>> To: [hidden email]
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] k3 and field day
>>>
>>> I will have my k3 at Field Day this year and would like a little
>>> advice. I will have the Yamaha cm500, a hand held mic plus a set
>>> of paddles. It will have one multiband antenna. plus a will
>>> periodically be connected to a beam when its available.
>>>
>>> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably wont
>>> know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as possible and
>>> lock out as much as possible in the menus to prevent it from being
>>> messed up.
>>>
>>> What settings have others used in this situation. and what
>>> precautions are there? and any other thoughts please.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Please answer to the reflector and not directly to me.
>>> David Moes
>>>
>>> VE3DVY
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>> 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

Jim Low man

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by Rose

One of the gang brought his K3 to Field Day last year, but I think he
was pretty much the sole op.
We operate in the four-transmitter class, so there isn't much need even
to change bands.
Although, we've had pretty much an exclusive K2 Field Day since they
were available.

I remember when I got my Ten-Tec Omni-VI+ ten or so years ago.
One of the club members asked - in all seriousness - if I was taking it
to Field Day.
I think my response was something along the lines of, "You've got to be
high!" :-)
The response was a combination of concern that it would be difficult to
operate, that someone might mess it up, and taking a rig of a certain
size or value out in the elements.

Back in the late 60s, when I was a fairly new ham, I took my Drake
"4-Line" twins to Field Day to run the 40m SSB station.
Back then, the controls on a given receiver/transmitter didn't vary much
from manufacturer to manufacturer, and transmitters tuned up the same way.

73 de Jim - AD6CW

On 5/11/2012 10:13 AM, Rose wrote:

Jim Brown-10

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by Tom Azlin N4ZPT-2

On 5/11/2012 10:42 AM, Tom Azlin N4ZPT wrote:
> We ( Vienna Wireless Society) have had multiple Elecraft K3s our for our
> field day.

I've had nothing but good experience on the four occasions when I've
taken my K3s to Field Day and California QSO Party County expeditions.
We've always had good operators using them, although not all had
experience with K3s.

The key is to set up the radio so that all the needed functions are on
the front panel for the accessories that are plugged into it, and for
the planned modes of operation. Make it clear that everyone is to use
the computer, logging software, mic, and keyer provided. With a CM500
plugged into the rear panel, it's easy for a second operator to plug a
second set of headphones into the front panel connector.

During the setup period, run through all the combinations of bands and
antennas and let the antenna tuner memorize tuning for each band. Make
sure that power is set where you want it, either QRP or 100 watts (I'm
one of those who believes that Field Day is a QRP or 100W contest). Set
the TXEQ, audio levels, and compression properly.

Now, everything an operator needs is on clearly labeled front panel
knobs and buttons. When a new op is ready to sit down, while the guy
he's replacing is still operating, show him/her where the controls are
that are needed. Make it clear that everything else is all set, and
that touching the menus is verbotten. And be sure to show him any
antenna switching that apply during his shift.

73, Jim K9YC
______________________________________________________________
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

Bill Frantz

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

Last year I was in charge of our GOTA station. I was told,
"We'll have a K2 for you." Well, I'd never used a K2 so I
downloaded the manual from the Elecraft site and printed it
thinking that I would need to continuously refer to it like I
have to with my Yaesu and Icom radios. The UI on the K2 was so
well designed that the printed copy stayed in my bag. It was
user friendly out of the box. And I am far from being an
experienced HF operator (except on PSK).

I think the K3 is in the same category. I have CONFIG:TECH-MD
turned off on my K3 and would certainly recommend that setting
for field day. Having a laptop available to be able to reload
the config and firmware would be prudent.

My K3 will see service in the GOTA tent this year while I'm on
the opposite side of the country trying to make contacts with
the I-706 in my SUV. My club, WVARA, runs a QRP operation and
has experienced GOTA coaches, so my bare-bones K3 should survive
the event quite nicely.

Cheers - Bill, AE6JV

On 5/11/12 at 9:29, [hidden email] wrote:

>Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably
>wont know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as
>possible and lock out as much as possible in the menus to
>prevent it from being messed up.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz |"Web security is like medicine - trying to
do good for
408-356-8506 |an evolved body of kludges" - Mark Miller
www.pwpconsult.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

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I agree. I have used my K3 at Field Day the last 2 years. It was used
as the CW or data mode station. If you do not allow it to be open and
"pawed" by all the folks passing by, it will be OK. The operators who
are using the K3 can be informed quickly about the necessary controls -
VFO A, shift/width, any memories that have been pre-programmed (M1-M4
buttons). For those using their K3s for SSB, there is a lock menu
function that can lock the mic gain, compression and VOX settings. Yes,
if any menu changes are required, those should be made by someone who
knows what they are doing - preferably the K3 owner.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/11/2012 5:19 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 5/11/2012 10:42 AM, Tom Azlin N4ZPT wrote:
>> We ( Vienna Wireless Society) have had multiple Elecraft K3s our for our
>> field day.
> I've had nothing but good experience on the four occasions when I've
> taken my K3s to Field Day and California QSO Party County expeditions.
> We've always had good operators using them, although not all had
> experience with K3s.
>
> The key is to set up the radio so that all the needed functions are on
> the front panel for the accessories that are plugged into it, and for
> the planned modes of operation. Make it clear that everyone is to use
> the computer, logging software, mic, and keyer provided. With a CM500
> plugged into the rear panel, it's easy for a second operator to plug a
> second set of headphones into the front panel connector.
>

ve3dvy

Re: k3 and field day

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

Thanks Bill and to all the others you all have given great info
here. lots to plan. and Id enjoy reading others experiences as well
bad or good. I will have to spend some time to figure out what to do
with the function keys. and think about the briefing. The one issue
I have is the mic gain has to be adjusted quite a bit when switching to
the FP mic only one of our opps has the tendency to play a bit and will
get the polite riot act reading.

on a partly related topic when I save the config will it also save
the tuners memories? if I have to restore the config will I have to
"retrain" the tuner. this is not hard using the K3 EZ but should
problems happen and I dont have to do the tuner thing that will be nice.

On 5/11/2012 6:04 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:

> Last year I was in charge of our GOTA station. I was told,
> "We'll have a K2 for you." Well, I'd never used a K2 so I
> downloaded the manual from the Elecraft site and printed it
> thinking that I would need to continuously refer to it like I
> have to with my Yaesu and Icom radios. The UI on the K2 was so
> well designed that the printed copy stayed in my bag. It was
> user friendly out of the box. And I am far from being an
> experienced HF operator (except on PSK).
>
> I think the K3 is in the same category. I have CONFIG:TECH-MD
> turned off on my K3 and would certainly recommend that setting
> for field day. Having a laptop available to be able to reload
> the config and firmware would be prudent.
>
> My K3 will see service in the GOTA tent this year while I'm on
> the opposite side of the country trying to make contacts with
> the I-706 in my SUV. My club, WVARA, runs a QRP operation and
> has experienced GOTA coaches, so my bare-bones K3 should survive
> the event quite nicely.
>
> Cheers - Bill, AE6JV
>
> On 5/11/12 at 9:29, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> Since it will also be used by several other ops that probably
>> wont know the K3 I would like to set it up as user friendly as
>> possible and lock out as much as possible in the menus to
>> prevent it from being messed up.
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz |"Web security is like medicine - trying to
> do good for
> 408-356-8506 |an evolved body of kludges" - Mark Miller
> www.pwpconsult.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
>