Hi Buddy et al, We've definitely been thinking about this.
There's a paradigm shift going on in transceiver design, and we reached a point where we needed to embrace it. This shift is not entirely aligned with accessibility, as you know. I'll address alternatives in this email. As for the K4 specifically, its user interface is dependent in part on use of the touch screen. This was simply the only way to integrate an equivalent of the K3S, P3, and all of the new hardware/software required to implement a direct-sampling radio. The use of a touch screen allows context sensitivity (physical overloading) for controls, making the K4 the equivalent of a much larger radio without touch. The resulting compact size is still compatible with portable use (4.5" x 13.5" x 11", 10 pounds, and power-efficient), a hallmark of Elecraft transceivers. Regarding accessibility, there are three possible approaches: 1. The K4's entire complement of controls, both hard and touch, will be represented by a set of "2-letter" commands. This API will be fully public as it is for our other transceivers. Presumably external devices or computers will be able to immediately make use of these commands to effect a flexible accessible interface. 2. In theory we could implement a large-target version of the LCD's touch controls, with proximity-based audio feedback and no panadapter. This would be a very ambitious project requiring ongoing support, similar to that needed for mobile/fixed app development. We don't have the staff to support this, so we'd need to engage the wider community to find a developer with suitable skills and motivation. The API or spec for such an effort doesn't exist at this time. 3. The K3S has very similar strong-signal performance and similar basic features, without touch. Since many of the added features of the K4 are panadapter-centric, a blind ham may very well find that the K3S is a viable alternative. No doubt there will be more used K3's and K3S's on the market over the next year. The KX3 and KX2 provide audio CW feedback on most controls and are another non-touch alternative. I hope the alternatives I've suggested to use of the K4's normal UI will be helpful in most cases. 73, Wayne N6KR > On May 24, 2019, at 9:20 AM, Buddy Brannan bu...@brannan.name [KX3] > <kx3-nore...@yahoogroups.com> wrote: > > [Sorry, sent this to Gary instead of the list] > Hey Gary, > > I’m curious about this as well, as are others…see K8HSY’s post on the > blind-hams list. See also my response full of speculation (below). Wayne, > please feel free to comment on my comments and correct me where I erred: > > I’ve been beating the accessibility drum on the Elecraft reflector for ages, > and Wayne has assured that they would not go to all touch screen access, for > that very reason. Elecraft has, in the person of one of their tech support > people in the past, and Wayne in emails to me, committed to doing what they > can in design parameters to make accessibility attainable, and they have been > super cooperative with people like the Hampod folks and others who want to > design accessibility tools. > > The K4 has a full GNU/Linux computer built into it, and it’s got a > client/server architecture, with network access available, so it seems to me > accessibility should be possible, even relatively easy, to implement. > Especially given that there are still a wide range of physical buttons and > knobs on board. > > And, unlike Yaecomwoodlincotec, the principals at Elecraft are not only > available by email, but very responsive besides. If you’re really interested > in a perspective direct from the horse’s mouth, write to Wayne directly at > n...@elecraft.com. He really does answer email. > > Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA > Email: bu...@brannan.name > Mobile: (814) 431-0962 > > > On May 23, 2019, at 1:47 PM, Gary Lee kb9...@arrl.net [KX3] > > <kx3-nore...@yahoogroups.com> wrote: > > > > could someone describe the front panel of the k4 with reference to that of > > the k3? With the added touch screen, I am wondering about usability for the > > blind operator. > > > > > > > > > __._,_.___ > Posted by: Buddy Brannan <bu...@brannan.name> > Reply via web post • Reply to sender • Reply to group > • Start a New Topic • Messages in this topic (2) > VISIT YOUR GROUP > • Privacy • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use > > SPONSORED LINKS > > > > . > > > __,_._,___ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
