I'm sorry, but as both a K3 and TS870 owner, I disagree. The decision to make the K3 the size that it is compromised the ergonomics, pure and simple. That's an engineering decision, that I as an engineer understand, but nevertheless, the K3 isn't even close to the '870 in ergonomics. For example, I have not once activated the VOX on the '870 while trying to change bands.
I'm also constantly screwing up the memories in the K3 or transmitting CW messages when I'm trying to recall a memory. The list goes on, but it's all related to the multiple functions shared by one button or the requirement to push two buttons to activate one function. As to the use of K3-EZ, that's dandy as long as your computer isn't being used to run your logging program at the same time and tying up the serial port. Wes N7WS --- On Sat, 9/19/09, Lu Romero - W4LT <lrom...@ij.net> wrote: Dave, Et. Al. On the ergonomics front, as a former TS850 user for years, I disagree. I find the learning curve from my mindless habitual use of my TS850 and TS570 almost painless. The basic controls function in very similar ways. This commonality with Kenwood ergonomics was one of the reasons I selected the K3 over competitive Icom, TenTec and Yaesu products (as Kenwood no longer makes a real, contest quality transceiver... Now If I could have bought a brand new TS950SDX...) Regarding the following: One is the simple - from the user's perspective, I appreciate not so simple for the firmware developer - matter of disabling equalization when DATA mode is used. I've been browsing online manuals of radios from Yaesu, Kenwood and Icom and they all do that. Until the K3 also does, those of us who use data modes a lot will continue to have to leave equalization flat unless we want to fiddle about setting / unsetting it whenever we change modes. While I agree it would be nice to manage that issue in the radio, the solution lies in K3-EZ. Simply store your Digimode TX/RX Equalization setups in a memory called "Digimode", your CW setups in a memory called "CW", your SSB setups in a memory called "SSB"... You get the picture! Recall them as you need them. It takes about 5 seconds to do. Of course you need a computer... But I know you already have one! Hey, at least the fastening hardware is all the same and not a mixture of SAE, Whitworth and Metric like on my former Triumph Spitfire... I always knew where I parked it by the pool of transaxle fluid :) -lu-W4LT K3 S# 3192 Joe Subich, W4TV-4 wrote: > > >> The band switching, VFO management, mode switching and many >> aspects of its front panel design needs a rework. Most of the >> contest operators that I know seem to own a FT2000, they will >> all acknowledge that its no K3, however they all feel the >> same as I do about the K3 and its ergonomics. > > Having used the FT-1000D, Mark V, and FT-2000 series of radios > for nearly 20 years before moving the K3, the "front panel > design" and "ergonomics" issues are completely bogus. There > are other transceivers with user interfaces very similar to > the K3 - including some from Yaesu - and, while different than > the FT-990/1000/2000/9000 the K3 User interface is no less usable. > > Anyone who makes the size/user interface argument is simply > making an excuse for not learning a new user interface based > prejudice. Any contester or DXer who uses one of the popular > contest or day to day logging packages with "point and shoot" > features is insulated from the transceiver's user interface > to such an extent that the differences among user interfaces > is largely irrelevant anyway. > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net >> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of juergen piezo >> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 6:42 AM >> To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 firmware 2 years on and still much to do >> >> >> K3 firmware 2 years on and still much to do? >> >> I still dont own a K3. I just cant bring myself to buy the >> K3 because >> of its front panel layout and its operation. Although I would >> very much like its receiver performance. >> >> I have used one at a contest station and all that I can >> say is that I would not buy one until a new front panel layout is >> designed. >> >> The band switching, VFO management, mode switching and many >> aspects of its front panel design needs a rework. Most of the >> contest operators that I know seem to own a FT2000, they will >> all acknowledge that its no K3, however they all feel the >> same as I do about the K3 and its ergonomics. Most of us are >> just not portable operators, so dont need small size 12 volt radios. >> >> There are many good radios that would be a good front panel >> design model for the K3a. The FT950, FT920, Icom 737series, >> TS850 etc all have a very workable ergonomic front panel >> layouts that are easy to use. The FT950 is so well layed out >> and very attractive and it would be a good one to copy for a >> new K3 front panel. >> >> If the K3 is so modular, why would it be so hard not to >> offer a bigger box with a new front panel? There are many off >> the shelf 19 inch rack >> boxes that could be used with a new front panel styling. >> >> I would suggest that a new K3 panel with built in P3, power >> supply and 200 watt PA stage would be a big hit. Everyone >> seems to be so over the moon with the K3's small size, I must >> be a freak with alien genes to not like the radios front >> panel layout and operational ergonomics. >> >> The firmware feature list or lack of progress I can live >> with. However a awkward panel layout and poor ergomics thats >> carved in rock I cant really live with. When I used the K3 >> all that I ever used was the band switch, volume and RIT >> control.... thats all, just like a Mil-spec radio. It was >> very hard to do otherwise, so I probably missed a lot of the >> K3's potential. >> >> I too live in hope that a new K4 is coming! I could even live >> with a K3 junior with one receiver and a new front panel design. >> >> John >> >> --- On Sat, 9/19/09, Dave G4AON <elecr...@astromag.co.uk> wrote: >> >> > From: Dave G4AON <elecr...@astromag.co.uk> >> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 firmware 2 years on and still much to do >> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> > Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 1:58 AM >> > Unfortunately the K3 firmware seems >> > to have wandered off track a bit, >> > two years ago when the K3 started rolling out the following were on >> > the "to do" list and formed part of the specification: >> > >> > 0.5 ppm TCXO calibration >> > Synchronous AM >> > >> > These might not be the most important issues in the world, but were >> > included in the original specification and are in the Oct >> > 24th 2007 "B1 >> > manual". Currently the K3 fails to meet specification! >> > >> > Can we have some indication of their position on the >> > firmware roadmap? >> > >> > 73 Dave, G4AON >> > K3/100 #80 >> > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-firmware-2-years-on-and-still-much-to-do-tp3674523p3675847.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
