The K-Pod really enhanced my SO2V operation in the NAQP RTTY contest last night. While running on VFO-A, I used the K-Pod predominantly for VFO-B to tune the band, using the P3 as guidance, for finding other CQing stations to work. Overall, I felt I did a far better job (faster and more thorough) using the K-Pod instead of the normal VFO-B knob.
(For SO2V, another configuration is to run on VFO-B so that S&P is done on VFO-A. While this has the advantage of a larger tuning knob, it still requires the hand to reach over the keyboard.) First, it was much easier to simultaneously tune VFO-B with the K-Pod next to my keyboard so that my hand could more easily move between it and the keyboard as needed. Of course, with my RTTY contest configuration, I seldom need both hands on the keyboard. Nearly all keyboard usage is simply tapping keys to which messages are mapped, so one hand is sufficient. (This also makes SO2R RTTY easier than CW and SSB where more touch typing is needed.) RTTY callsigns are grabbed automatically without typing them. I used to reach for the VFO-B knob on the K3 front panel which worked fine but is much more awkward and time consuming than using the K-Pod next to the keyboard. It is easier to fine tune with the K-Pod than the normal VFO-B knob, reaching over the keyboard with my hand suspended in mid-air. Second, the rocker switch beneath the K-Pod tuning knob is ergonomically excellent. When a station would call me offset from my VFO-A frequency, I simply used my thumb to temporarily define the K-Pod knob for RIT, zero-beat the calling station, then move the rocker switch back to VFO-B, all while my hand was still near the keyboard with minimal movement. Since my QSL message clears the RIT offset, I was ready for the next caller, hopefully closer to zero-beat. I also have one of the K-Pod buttons programmed to clear the offset when needed, so again not having to reach over the keyboard to press CLR on the K3 front panel. The K-Pod is capable of much, much more functionality, but it is first important that it perform basic functions like these in a significantly better way than the radio front panel. That's what I experienced! Ed W0YK ______________________________________________________________ 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]
