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small feature request for the K3

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Wolfgang Schwarz -DK9VZ-

small feature request for the K3

Hi Elecraft

I?m using my K3 99% for CW-Contesting and am optimizing my switch over
timing between, Trasnceiver, PA and so on.

When running with the contestsoftware (WinTest) there is an exact PTT-Signal
switching TRX and PA before sending CW (PTT on Delay) and after the last
CW-character the PTT-line drops as fast as possible to not lose the
prefix of
a calling station (so no PTT tail delay).

But sometimes you need to send CW with a manual keyer (internal or
external)
and there is no PTT on delay now and no PTT tail delay. Today we are
solving the
problem by using a footswitch for this "manual" operation times.

Wouldn?t it be possible for the K3 firmware to have different delay time
entries
(for PTT ON and PTT OFF) between using the serial port keying and using the
Key Ports on the back side
(Paddle with the internal Keyer or even with an external keyer)?

____
73 de
Wolfgang DK9VZ
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Guy, K2AV

Re: small feature request for the K3

Would't you be far better off to improve your amplifier(s) to QSK operation?
Or alternatively, some Microham boxes will do that for you by plugging the
paddle into the Microham box instead of the rig. That's what I do if I have
to use a non-QSK backup amp. I enter those delay parameters into the
win-key section of the logging program, or if it does not handle that, into
the uHam router program.

73, Guy.

On Wed, Mar 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM, Wolfgang Schwarz -DK9VZ- <[hidden email]>wrote:

> Hi Elecraft
>
> I?m using my K3 99% for CW-Contesting and am optimizing my switch over
> timing between, Trasnceiver, PA and so on.
>
> When running with the contestsoftware (WinTest) there is an exact
> PTT-Signal
> switching TRX and PA before sending CW (PTT on Delay) and after the last
> CW-character the PTT-line drops as fast as possible to not lose the
> prefix of
> a calling station (so no PTT tail delay).
>
> But sometimes you need to send CW with a manual keyer (internal or
> external)
> and there is no PTT on delay now and no PTT tail delay. Today we are
> solving the
> problem by using a footswitch for this "manual" operation times.
>
> Wouldn?t it be possible for the K3 firmware to have different delay time
> entries
> (for PTT ON and PTT OFF) between using the serial port keying and using the
> Key Ports on the back side
> (Paddle with the internal Keyer or even with an external keyer)?
>
> ____
> 73 de
> Wolfgang DK9VZ
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Scott Ellington

Re: small feature request for the K3

I haven't measured the delays, but the K3 is quite slow in QSK mode compared to my other rigs. With TX DLY set to the 8 ms minimum, my external relays hang between the dots above about 35 wpm. The relays are very fast (1.4 ms); it's the K3 control output that isn't switching. It would help if the TX DLY could be set to less than 8 ms. I don't see where tail delay is specified, though I presume it is tied to TX DLY.

QRQ mode helps, but it's still not as fast as with the FT-1000. I also hate to give up the RIT, etc. just to have better QSK at 40 wpm. Independent control of leading-edge and tail delay would be optimal.

Does anyone know what the tail delay is, and whether it tracks the TX DLY setting?

73,

Scott K9MA

On Mar 2, 2011, at 11:41 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> Would't you be far better off to improve your amplifier(s) to QSK operation?
> Or alternatively, some Microham boxes will do that for you by plugging the
> paddle into the Microham box instead of the rig. That's what I do if I have
> to use a non-QSK backup amp. I enter those delay parameters into the
> win-key section of the logging program, or if it does not handle that, into
> the uHam router program.
>
> 73, Guy.
>
> On Wed, Mar 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM, Wolfgang Schwarz -DK9VZ- <[hidden email]>wrote:
>
>> Hi Elecraft
>>
>> I?m using my K3 99% for CW-Contesting and am optimizing my switch over
>> timing between, Trasnceiver, PA and so on.
>>
>> When running with the contestsoftware (WinTest) there is an exact
>> PTT-Signal
>> switching TRX and PA before sending CW (PTT on Delay) and after the last
>> CW-character the PTT-line drops as fast as possible to not lose the
>> prefix of
>> a calling station (so no PTT tail delay).
>>
>> But sometimes you need to send CW with a manual keyer (internal or
>> external)
>> and there is no PTT on delay now and no PTT tail delay. Today we are
>> solving the
>> problem by using a footswitch for this "manual" operation times.
>>
>> Wouldn?t it be possible for the K3 firmware to have different delay time
>> entries
>> (for PTT ON and PTT OFF) between using the serial port keying and using the
>> Key Ports on the back side
>> (Paddle with the internal Keyer or even with an external keyer)?
>>
>> ____
>> 73 de
>> Wolfgang DK9VZ
>> ______________________________________________________________
>>

Scott Ellington
Madison, Wisconsin
USA

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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Guy, K2AV

Re: small feature request for the K3

I think you are pretty far off the original poster's issue. He sounds like
he is switching frame relays in his amps (way, way slower than regular QSK),
and the regular K3 QSK timing would be several orders of improvement
implemented in his amps and completely satisfactory for contest operation,
as indeed it is for those I have participated in.

73, Guy.

On Wed, Mar 2, 2011 at 2:15 PM, Scott Ellington
<[hidden email]>wrote:

> I haven't measured the delays, but the K3 is quite slow in QSK mode
> compared to my other rigs. With TX DLY set to the 8 ms minimum, my external
> relays hang between the dots above about 35 wpm. The relays are very fast
> (1.4 ms); it's the K3 control output that isn't switching. It would help if
> the TX DLY could be set to less than 8 ms. I don't see where tail delay is
> specified, though I presume it is tied to TX DLY.
>
> QRQ mode helps, but it's still not as fast as with the FT-1000. I also
> hate to give up the RIT, etc. just to have better QSK at 40 wpm.
> Independent control of leading-edge and tail delay would be optimal.
>
> Does anyone know what the tail delay is, and whether it tracks the TX DLY
> setting?
>
> 73,
>
> Scott K9MA
>
>
> On Mar 2, 2011, at 11:41 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>
> > Would't you be far better off to improve your amplifier(s) to QSK
> operation?
> > Or alternatively, some Microham boxes will do that for you by plugging
> the
> > paddle into the Microham box instead of the rig. That's what I do if I
> have
> > to use a non-QSK backup amp. I enter those delay parameters into the
> > win-key section of the logging program, or if it does not handle that,
> into
> > the uHam router program.
> >
> > 73, Guy.
> >
> > On Wed, Mar 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM, Wolfgang Schwarz -DK9VZ- <[hidden email]
> >wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Elecraft
> >>
> >> I?m using my K3 99% for CW-Contesting and am optimizing my switch over
> >> timing between, Trasnceiver, PA and so on.
> >>
> >> When running with the contestsoftware (WinTest) there is an exact
> >> PTT-Signal
> >> switching TRX and PA before sending CW (PTT on Delay) and after the last
> >> CW-character the PTT-line drops as fast as possible to not lose the
> >> prefix of
> >> a calling station (so no PTT tail delay).
> >>
> >> But sometimes you need to send CW with a manual keyer (internal or
> >> external)
> >> and there is no PTT on delay now and no PTT tail delay. Today we are
> >> solving the
> >> problem by using a footswitch for this "manual" operation times.
> >>
> >> Wouldn?t it be possible for the K3 firmware to have different delay time
> >> entries
> >> (for PTT ON and PTT OFF) between using the serial port keying and using
> the
> >> Key Ports on the back side
> >> (Paddle with the internal Keyer or even with an external keyer)?
> >>
> >> ____
> >> 73 de
> >> Wolfgang DK9VZ
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >>
>
> Scott Ellington
> Madison, Wisconsin
> USA
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>