Hi Don and everyone else,
The ability of software such as HRD to control a K2 is what gave me the
idea for a hardware front panel extension that would interface through a KIO2.
While a hardware front panel extension wouldn't have all of the capabilities
and flexibility of HRD, the goal would be to have better and easier control
over the K2 in a very small box that would take up much less space on my small
operating desk and be much smaller and lighter to pack than a laptop when I
travel with my K2... and I wouldn't have to negotiate with my wife over who
gets to use the computer and when.
A hardware front panel extension could be very simple - say a 4X4 array
of pushbuttons and associated LEDs - that could be done in a space just
slightly wider that the dimensions of the push buttons on the right side of the
K2 front panel. With 16 push buttons, 8 of them could be used for the xtal and
AF/DSP filters, one for power on/off, 3 for tuning rate, one for clock, one for
ANT tune and one for some other function. With a 4X5 array of buttons, there
are even more possibilities, all within dimensions that are probably less than
half of the K2 front panel width and probably about 1" deep. It could probably
be designed to run off of an internal battery (for use when the K2 is running
on it's internal battery) or from an external power source.
Question for everyone: If there would be a small hardware front panel
extension with say 16 or 20 pushbuttons and LEDs (either associated with the
buttons or for independent functions), what functions would you most want?
73
Bob W1SRB
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 7:14 PM
To: Lemkes; [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 Front Panel Extension
I already have a K2 Front Panel extension quite similar to what you are
discussing (Control through the KIO2). It is called Ham Radio Deluxe! And
it is as big as my computer screen or whatever I size it to. About the only
thing it can't do is adjust the AF Gain and the RF Gain. Besides that, it
is customizable so I can put the buttons in most any pattern that suits me.
And best of all it is free, a lobor of love by a very generous and talented
ham. It can also make many other brand transceivers have the same controls
as the K2.
Thanks Simon.
but most of the time, I end up using the original panel and find it
sufficient.
73,
Don W3FPR
> -----Original Message-----
>
> I really like the idea of a Front Panel Extension for the K2 and have
> seriously thought about building one myself. I like lots of
> knobs, switches
> and buttons. I dislike having to do repeated "long presses" of a
> button to
> cycle through the DSP filter bandwidths, for example. I'd much
> rather have
> a button for each bandwidth for both the DSP and crystal filters.
> And, as
> another example, I long press for "tune" several times a day, but
> never use
> short press "Ant 1/2" except inadvertently when I'm trying to tune in a
> hurry!
> So, my K2 front panel extension, some day, will have single function
> buttons with indicators, and be run by a dedicated computer mother board
> that talks to the front panel and the K2.
> 73, Dick, AD7AF
>
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