On Mon,2/16/2015 5:10 PM, Al Lorona wrote:
Plenty --perhaps most-- of hams operate their rigs in a standalone mode without computer, even while at home.
Interesting observation. Because contesters have been such a large part of the K3 customer base, our needs and habits tend to be considered "the norm." While it's certainly true that many (most?) casual operators don't use computer control, I'd also bet that those casual ops are not a majority of the K3 user base.
After a long period (15+ years) of inactivity, I got back on the air in 2003. That happened on Field Day at a club I visited, and they used Writelog with a serial port to their radios. The last time I'd contested was 20 years before, with paper logs and dupe sheets. :)
A few weeks later, I was back on the air at home. I logged on paper for a week or two, but I soon learned about DXKeeper, and an older Thinkpad that I'd replaced in my small business found a permanent home in the shack. I also bought WriteLog, and needed the computer connection.
At least one computer has been in my shack ever since. Eventually I started using Commander, the control software that goes with DXKeeper to read the rig frequency and mode and put it in the log. Then, when LOTW and eQSL came along, it became very easy to upload my entire post-2003 logs.
Most hams who are not contesters have computers hooked up to their rigs when they want to operate digital modes, but they may or may not use a serial port for rig control. DXers often use CW Skimmer, which needs rig control.
73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
