Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
This is the Elecraft way of catching the voice of the customer while working on the full-dsp K4. 73 Arie PA3A Op 17-1-2013 3:16, Dr. William J. Schmidt, II schreef: Seriously? Asking the Elecraft reflector if the K3 is a fun radio to operate is like asking drug addicted people if they like drugs. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I'm late in adding my comments as to fun, as it is after a day at work reading the digest. Ham radio is fun (most of the time) and frustrating at others. I think the K3 has been the best radio I have had and that equals more fun. It was more challenging to get acquainted with at first, and I am still learning more aspects of using it. My radio history: Ocean Hopper + DX35, HQ100, Clegg Interceptor-B, SB-110, TenTec Argonaut, TS-180S, TenTec Scout, FT-840, FT-847+FT-817, ...K3+KX3 (a few other VHF rigs not mentioned) I think in the most part the K3 controls vs menu setting are about right. I sure do not need a button to be pushed by accident when working that last needed contact for such-n-such award and send everything into limbo. Actually that is possible with the K3, as-is, though I am getting better at recognizing what happened and reversing it. The plus is that folks at Elecraft keep making improvements and enhancements via firmware releases so I get a new fun radio to play with after each upgrade. Fun = mastering something new! I had a FT-817 with three layers of menu which was not fun to set up. It has been replaced with the KX3...so much more radio performance on HF. 73, Ed - KL7UW __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
The K3 has an average number of menu entries for a radio in its class. But we've reduced the need to use the menu in two ways. First, virtually every switch on the K3 has both tap and hold functions. This doubles the number of functions available on the panel. Second, the K3 has up to 10 switches that can be programmed to directly execute menu functions or macros. Of these, up to four are taps and six are holds. Macros are, in effect, fully customizable switches (allowing the operator to define what fun means :) Macros can be created using KX3 Utility and sent to the radio. A single macro can do things like turn on the sub RX, copy VFO A to B, move B up 2 kHz, enter split mode, and set BW to 200 Hz. 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Now if we only had some decent labels to stick on those 10 switches Conventional computer labels seem to last a couple weeks before peeling off. Tiny writing isn't my strength so they are cryptic and only marginally readable. M1-M4 require diagonal printing. The other criterion is they have to come off at a desired time without residue. 73 de Brian/K3KO On 1/17/2013 15:26, Wayne Burdick wrote: The K3 has an average number of menu entries for a radio in its class. But we've reduced the need to use the menu in two ways. First, virtually every switch on the K3 has both tap and hold functions. This doubles the number of functions available on the panel. Second, the K3 has up to 10 switches that can be programmed to directly execute menu functions or macros. Of these, up to four are taps and six are holds. Macros are, in effect, fully customizable switches (allowing the operator to define what fun means :) Macros can be created using KX3 Utility and sent to the radio. A single macro can do things like turn on the sub RX, copy VFO A to B, move B up 2 kHz, enter split mode, and set BW to 200 Hz. 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2638/5539 - Release Date: 01/17/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2638/5539 - Release Date: 01/17/13 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I never even thought of labeling those little switches. I use a yellow sticky pad paper that describes the five different macros I have created and what buttons trigger them. Very simple, easy to update, and right in front of me. My K3 sits on a shelf about 11 inches above the desk top surface and the sticky pad is attached to that shelf and right below the right side where it is obvious and easy to see. I can't even conceive of a better, absolutely programmable, set of labels. Easy to create, easy to edit, easy to destroy with zero damage to the K3. 73, phil, K7PEH On Jan 17, 2013, at 7:39 AM, Brian Alsop als...@nc.rr.com wrote: Now if we only had some decent labels to stick on those 10 switches Conventional computer labels seem to last a couple weeks before peeling off. Tiny writing isn't my strength so they are cryptic and only marginally readable. M1-M4 require diagonal printing. The other criterion is they have to come off at a desired time without residue. 73 de Brian/K3KO On 1/17/2013 15:26, Wayne Burdick wrote: The K3 has an average number of menu entries for a radio in its class. But we've reduced the need to use the menu in two ways. First, virtually every switch on the K3 has both tap and hold functions. This doubles the number of functions available on the panel. Second, the K3 has up to 10 switches that can be programmed to directly execute menu functions or macros. Of these, up to four are taps and six are holds. Macros are, in effect, fully customizable switches (allowing the operator to define what fun means :) Macros can be created using KX3 Utility and sent to the radio. A single macro can do things like turn on the sub RX, copy VFO A to B, move B up 2 kHz, enter split mode, and set BW to 200 Hz. 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2638/5539 - Release Date: 01/17/13 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2638/5539 - Release Date: 01/17/13 __ 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
[Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
On a couple of earlier messages (one from Rob Sherwood) the notion of a fun radio to operate was raised and how that might become a deciding factor among many different radios with similar receive performance. My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. I must be a contrarian because I think the less buttons without compromising performance or functionality is better. For example, I also have an Icom Pro 3 that has buttons for some menu options on my K3. I use those Icom buttons so rarely that sometimes I need to look up in the user guide again to remind myself what they do and how to use them. Anything rarely used in my opinion is fodder for menu operation. So, if I wanted to buy a fun radio, which one would it be? I would like to know more of what people consider fun in this regard because it is a mystery to me. 73, phil, K7PEH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
That Yaesu rig to which you refer takes up a lot more space and weighs several times what my K3 does -- which is another factor. I find that I rarely use the K3 menus. In my case that was mostly a set and forget thing. Beyond that I find it very easy and fun to use my K3. Unlike a brand new, best in Icom thinking IC9100 which was a nightmare to use by comparison (and nowhere near the performance) which required constant menu interaction for the most mundane things. I rarely use the 9100 for that reason. Human factors are very important and seem to be often overlooked. For an example of how not to do things, just take a look at some of the cheap dual band handhelds coming from China. 73, Bob, WB4SON __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Pardon the wordplay, but I think it is clear that everyone has their own vision of fun. It depends on the operating circumstances as well. No easy answers... 73, Tony K4QE __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
To me, part of what makes a rig fun to operate is, q On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 1:14 PM, Anthony Scandurra anthony.scandu...@gmail.com wrote: Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Pardon the wordplay, but I think it is clear that everyone has their own vision of fun. It depends on the operating circumstances as well. No easy answers... 73, Tony K4QE __ 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 -- Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I have owned some yaesu rigs (FT950, 920,450,857D) and most have menus at one level or another. The FT920 was the easiest one to operate but the other three had levels of menus similar to the K3. I think the K3 may have a steeper learning curve compared to those other radios, but once you get familiarized with the radio it is easy and fun. Plus it is way more fun to hear (and then work) stations that you cannot hear on those other radios and I have done A/B testing and can attest to those extra DXCC entity contacts that I would not have had without the K3. So definitely more fun for me. Keith AK6ZZ Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos On Jan 16, 2013, at 10:14 AM, Anthony Scandurra anthony.scandu...@gmail.com wrote: Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Pardon the wordplay, but I think it is clear that everyone has their own vision of fun. It depends on the operating circumstances as well. No easy answers... 73, Tony K4QE __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Sorry, all. I had an extreme fat finger moment and accidentally sent my incomplete reply. As I was saying, part of what makes a rig fun to operate is, quite simply, can I make the contact? To make it a bit more complex, can I make the contact regardless of what band/mode I'm operating on. With the K3, I can say, unequivocally, yes. I had an FT-857D before my K3. I still think that is an excellent rig and, in fact, it is now installed in my car for mobile operating. But, due to performance differences, there are simply contacts I've made on my K3, the first try, that I never would have gotten, or even heard, on the FT-857, all else being equal. I appreciate the fact that the set and forget functions on the K3 are mostly in the menus and the functions I'm likely to use while operating are clearly labeled buttons or knobs on front of the transceiver. To me, this combination of features absolutely makes the K3 a fun rig to operate. 73, --Ian Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 1:20 PM, Ian Kahn km4ik@gmail.com wrote: To me, part of what makes a rig fun to operate is, q On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 1:14 PM, Anthony Scandurra anthony.scandu...@gmail.com wrote: Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Pardon the wordplay, but I think it is clear that everyone has their own vision of fun. It depends on the operating circumstances as well. No easy answers... 73, Tony K4QE __ 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 -- Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team -- __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Fun is being able to work a weak station in between two strong ones - the K3 can do that. With the subRX, you can listen to the DX and the pileup and pick your transmit frequency - that is 'fun'. Like my Mazda, it is 'sure-footed' in curves and has good performance - that makes it 'fun' to drive. Of course, to each his own. Last Field Day a few operators used my K3 - comments received were that it heard little QRM even on crowded bands and it was easy to make contacts because of that. I would say that is what makes a 'fun' radio. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/16/2013 1:03 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: On a couple of earlier messages (one from Rob Sherwood) the notion of a fun radio to operate was raised and how that might become a deciding factor among many different radios with similar receive performance. My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. I must be a contrarian because I think the less buttons without compromising performance or functionality is better. For example, I also have an Icom Pro 3 that has buttons for some menu options on my K3. I use those Icom buttons so rarely that sometimes I need to look up in the user guide again to remind myself what they do and how to use them. Anything rarely used in my opinion is fodder for menu operation. So, if I wanted to buy a fun radio, which one would it be? I would like to know more of what people consider fun in this regard because it is a mystery to me. 73, phil, K7PEH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I too agree that the notion of fun is in the eye of the beholder. In some social gatherings, my wife might mention that I regularly take math books to bed at night for casual night time reading. Things like differential geometry, topology, group theory, etc. There are the obvious chuckles from others about my reading choices as most think that math is NOT fun. But, too me it is very enjoyable and a passion. So, fun is in the eye of the beholder but I was mostly looking for opinions (as has been shown so far) into what fun is in a radio because I had never thought that much about it. But, I do agree that the multiple button pushes for band changing on the K3 is a hassle which is one reason I bought the KPA500 since the individual band push buttons erase that problem -- I also use it as an amplifier too. About that K3 band press problem -- I have a fix for it but I wonder if Eric and Wayne would agree. I would use the 12 buttons just to the right of the display on the K3 (the 12 button 3x4 grid) as band buttons with the help of an escape key. That is, just two button pushes for any band. Just push the escape key which holds the escape function for two seconds say and then press the appropriate button identified for the band. For 160 thru 2 (2 meter option) you would need to use all 12 buttons. The work of course would probably require re-labeling the buttons in a worst case besides firmware modification. Possibilities for the escape key would maybe be the frequency enter but that would be problematic or maybe the SUB key button and then change that out to be a press/Hold style where the hold is either escape function or sub function. This may need a hardware change for the button maybe. phil On Jan 16, 2013, at 10:26 AM, Ian Kahn km4ik@gmail.com wrote: Sorry, all. I had an extreme fat finger moment and accidentally sent my incomplete reply. As I was saying, part of what makes a rig fun to operate is, quite simply, can I make the contact? To make it a bit more complex, can I make the contact regardless of what band/mode I'm operating on. With the K3, I can say, unequivocally, yes. I had an FT-857D before my K3. I still think that is an excellent rig and, in fact, it is now installed in my car for mobile operating. But, due to performance differences, there are simply contacts I've made on my K3, the first try, that I never would have gotten, or even heard, on the FT-857, all else being equal. I appreciate the fact that the set and forget functions on the K3 are mostly in the menus and the functions I'm likely to use while operating are clearly labeled buttons or knobs on front of the transceiver. To me, this combination of features absolutely makes the K3 a fun rig to operate. 73, --Ian Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 1:20 PM, Ian Kahn km4ik@gmail.com wrote: To me, part of what makes a rig fun to operate is, q On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 1:14 PM, Anthony Scandurra anthony.scandu...@gmail.com wrote: Fun is in the eye of the beholder. Pardon the wordplay, but I think it is clear that everyone has their own vision of fun. It depends on the operating circumstances as well. No easy answers... 73, Tony K4QE __ 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 -- Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team -- __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
On 1/16/2013 10:03 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. You have heard wrong. The radio is VERY easy to operate. Menus on the K3 are used to change SETUP functions -- that is, to tailor the radio to the way you want to use it. Virtually everything you would normally do while USING the radio on the air is on the front panel in the form of knobs or buttons. Most have multiple functions -- a short push does the most commonly needed thing, a long push of a button does something else. Both functions are printed on the panel, in different colors. Likewise, knobs have multiple functions, activated either by mode (CW, SSB, or digital), or by toggling between functions, with LEDs telling you which function is selected. Again, most commonly used functions are the default. For example, one knob is mic gain in SSB, or CW speed. Another knob is Power Out, or Compression. Two knobs set the IF bandwidth, and can be used as either Bandwidth and Shift, or as Low and High audio frequency of the IF. Toggling is done by simply a push on the knob. There's a button that turns the second RX on and off, puts the radio in Diversity Mode, or sets in Tracking mode (that is, for things like Satellite work). There are two levels of menus -- the first level accesses those things you are most likely to want to change, like VOX sensitivity, and whether you want to use only the mic as a source for SSB, the mic plus the line input, or only the line input. The radio is VERY flexible, and can be used in many different ways, and can be optimized for many different applications. You can, for example, change AGC slopes, have the radio remember most settings, including Power Out by band, remember Mic/Line choices by mode, and so on. Another menu function is to set the 8-band equalizers for TX and RX (separately). Again, these are functions you only do when you either start with the radio or start using a new mic or headphones. Another feature is that ANY two menu functions can be assigned to two soft buttons. So far, I've found a need for only one of them -- I have my Yamaha CM500 plugged into the rear panel, and I sometimes want to use the speaker at the same time, so one of those buttons Toggles the Speaker on and off without turning off the Phones. So, bottom line, the K3 is VERY easy to operate, everything you normally need is on the front panel knobs or buttons, the menus are rarely used, and easy to use if you RTFM. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
On Jan 16, 2013, at 10:49 AM, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com wrote: On 1/16/2013 10:03 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. You have heard wrong. The radio is VERY easy to operate. Menus on the K3 are used to change SETUP functions -- that is, to tailor the radio to the way you want to use it. No Jim, I have heard right. I hear a lot of people say that the K3 is menu driven and therefore not easy to operate. On Eham for example, just about every time someone suggests the K3 as a good radio to have, someone else or multiple someones will raise that complaint about the K3. If I am in some QSO and give my rig as the K3 someone might ask if it is hard to use with the menus and all that. But, you have me pegged wrong though. I am not saying it is hard to operate. I love my K3 and I would not switch away from it for any radio that now exists (I may switch to something yet to be built and most likely something new and improved like an Elecraft K4 or K5 or whatever. But, the fact is, among those who have not used a K3, this one complaint about it versus other radios like yaesus or whatever seems to be a stickler. I agree that it is not well founded but it does exist. Disclaimer: I own a KX1, KX3, K3, P3, KPA500, KAT500 and several of the mini-module kits. phil __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Phil, The ability to use 10 of those 12 buttons is already present - look at Quick Memories in the manual. The 'escape' button is the MV button, giving you the 2 button band change you want. I almost never use the band up/down buttons on my K3. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/16/2013 1:45 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: About that K3 band press problem -- I have a fix for it but I wonder if Eric and Wayne would agree. I would use the 12 buttons just to the right of the display on the K3 (the 12 button 3x4 grid) as band buttons with the help of an escape key. That is, just two button pushes for any band. Just push the escape key which holds the escape function for two seconds say and then press the appropriate button identified for the band. For 160 thru 2 (2 meter option) you would need to use all 12 buttons. The work of course would probably require re-labeling the buttons in a worst case besides firmware modification. Possibilities for the escape key would maybe be the frequency enter but that would be problematic or maybe the SUB key button and then change that out to be a press/Hold style where the hold is either escape function or sub function. This may need a hardware change for the button maybe. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Is the K3 a fun radio to operate? - Absolutely !! Are there other fun radios to operate? - Absolutely !! Now, can we have FUN and make some QSO's (while we have a few sunspots)! For example, come play in K6VVA's Locust QSO Party (http://www.k6vva.com/lqp/) which is tonight at 0200-0259z. 73, Ted W4NZ -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 1:56 PM To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ? On Jan 16, 2013, at 10:49 AM, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com wrote: On 1/16/2013 10:03 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. You have heard wrong. The radio is VERY easy to operate. Menus on the K3 are used to change SETUP functions -- that is, to tailor the radio to the way you want to use it. No Jim, I have heard right. I hear a lot of people say that the K3 is menu driven and therefore not easy to operate. On Eham for example, just about every time someone suggests the K3 as a good radio to have, someone else or multiple someones will raise that complaint about the K3. If I am in some QSO and give my rig as the K3 someone might ask if it is hard to use with the menus and all that. But, you have me pegged wrong though. I am not saying it is hard to operate. I love my K3 and I would not switch away from it for any radio that now exists (I may switch to something yet to be built and most likely something new and improved like an Elecraft K4 or K5 or whatever. But, the fact is, among those who have not used a K3, this one complaint about it versus other radios like yaesus or whatever seems to be a stickler. I agree that it is not well founded but it does exist. Disclaimer: I own a KX1, KX3, K3, P3, KPA500, KAT500 and several of the mini-module kits. phil __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
On 1/16/2013 10:55 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: No Jim, I have heard right. I hear a lot of people say that the K3 is menu driven and therefore not easy to operate. On Eham for example, just about every time someone suggests the K3 as a good radio to have, someone else or multiple someones will raise that complaint about the K3. If I am in some QSO and give my rig as the K3 someone might ask if it is hard to use with the menus and all that. Again, you have heard wrong. It's the oft repeated lie that if repeated often enough is believed as gospel. People repeat what they have heard, and often from folks who have no knowledge of the facts (in this case, don't own the radio). Anyone awake during our recent political campaigns heard MANY examples of this. I own three K3s, two of them for at least three years, and I almost never use the menus except to set VOX levels. I operate about 20 contests a year, CW, SSB, RTTY, run SO2R for most of them. During the week I do DXing on CW and SSB, use JT65, mostly on 160, and occasionally use several of the WSJT modes on 6M. Before the K3s, I've owned FT1000MPs, IC746s, TS850s, K2s, an Omni V.9, and Omni A, and an FT100D. I've also used, briefly, an IC7000 in my neighbor's mobile setup. The 746, IC7000, and FT100D are so menu driven for normal on-the-air functions that they are almost unusable. The MP menus are no thrill, and the radio is FAR less versatile and a good notch down in performance. . 73, Jim K9YC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
On Jan 16, 2013, at 11:30 AM, Jim Brown wrote: The... and FT100D are so menu driven for normal on-the-air functions that they are almost unusable. That funny. The FT100D and the K3 are the only two HF radios I've ever owned. The K3 seems to have an impossible amount of front panel control after the FT100D. Like you Jim, I seldom go into the menus. I have a blast using the K3 - it is an absolute joy to operate on the digital modes. Another country heard from, 73 de Eric, KG6MZS __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Don, Thanks for the pointer. For some reason, I never caught on about using the quick memory buttons. But, now I am so used to using my KPA500 that I will probably continue to use that. 73, phil On Jan 16, 2013, at 11:21 AM, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: Phil, The ability to use 10 of those 12 buttons is already present - look at Quick Memories in the manual. The 'escape' button is the MV button, giving you the 2 button band change you want. I almost never use the band up/down buttons on my K3. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/16/2013 1:45 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: About that K3 band press problem -- I have a fix for it but I wonder if Eric and Wayne would agree. I would use the 12 buttons just to the right of the display on the K3 (the 12 button 3x4 grid) as band buttons with the help of an escape key. That is, just two button pushes for any band. Just push the escape key which holds the escape function for two seconds say and then press the appropriate button identified for the band. For 160 thru 2 (2 meter option) you would need to use all 12 buttons. The work of course would probably require re-labeling the buttons in a worst case besides firmware modification. Possibilities for the escape key would maybe be the frequency enter but that would be problematic or maybe the SUB key button and then change that out to be a press/Hold style where the hold is either escape function or sub function. This may need a hardware change for the button maybe. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
No, he actually did not hear wrong. He heard exactly what was said. However, what was said was factually incorrect. 73, Bruce, N1RX Again, you have heard wrong. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Yes. Being able to dial the high cut down to 2.05 kHz and having the 2.1 kHz filter switch in and not hear the QSO 2 kc down while hearing the net or round table with just a slight loss of fidelitly adds to my enjoyment of amateur radio. Perfection would be if the auto-notch filter took out all carriers with no discernable distortion. :-) 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
For me, I see three possible elements of fun: 1. Being able to work other stations, without the radio getting in the way is fun. 2. Being able to tweak settings, trying different things, is also fun. 3. Having an aesthetically pleasing display, being able to make pretty-colored meters move, has an element of fun for some. The K3 excels at #1 and #2. #3 is less important to me. :) I also have an Icom 7000. It was my first HF rig, and I still have it for mobile/portable/backup purposes. I enjoy it too (even if the RX isn't as good as the K3's), but its small size means you have to go digging in menus to change certain settings...and that in turn means that the radio can get in the way of making contacts. It's still fun (after you have climbed the learning curve)...but the fun level is lower as compared to the K3's. -- *Michael D. Adams* (N1EN) Poquonock, Connecticut | m...@n1en.org __ 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] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
One notion of what might be fun in a radio is one which requires the least user interaction to achieve the desired communication results. Dick - KA5KKT On a couple of earlier messages the notion of a fun radio to operate was raised.(snip) __ 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] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Jim Brown, K9YC, wrote: Another feature is that ANY two menu functions can be assigned to two soft buttons. So far in this discussion, I haven't seen any mention of MACRO's, which allow entire sequences of commands to be assigned to PF1, PF2, or any of the M1-M4 tap or hold buttons. I find the MACRO's to be extremely useful for setting up Split frequencies and for using the CW APF. Like Jim, I seldom find a need to enter the K3 menu system. 73, Chuck Guenther NI0C __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Phil: To paraphrase an old guy from Hope, AR, it depends on what your definition of Fun is. I think its fun to cozy up 500 cycles below a S9+30 CW signal and still be able to hear and work S3 signals on my frequency in a contest. I think its fun to download new features that the radio didnt have before from the internet and install them into my almost 4 year old rig, giving me more bang for the buck. I think its fun having a world class, super high performance, identical dual receiver radio with multiple I/O and flawless computer interface that weighs less than 10 pounds. I think its fun that for $5,000.00, I have a 500w station with identical dual receivers, unparalelled receive performance, complete station integration and a state of the art panadapter that all together, weighs under 40lbs and hears and interoperates better than my friends' $14,000 60lb rig and $7,000 56lb 1kw amplifier. I think its fun to have all this performance in a system that I assembled from boxes of parts, so I know what is in it, I am not afraid to open it and fix it or modify it, and can take personal pride in assembling it. And finally, I think that its fun that I can have all of this and support an American company that designs and manufactures world class products right here in America, that listens to user input and actually *USES* that input in the ongoing development of the products. So is the K3 fun to use? Yeah, I think it is. Lu Romero - W4LT K-Line and a K1 as well. -=- Message: 10 Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:03:22 -0800 From: Phil Hystad phys...@mac.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net List Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ? Message-ID: 302a8f9e-5ab6-410b-a63f-4993f2bc7...@mac.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii On a couple of earlier messages (one from Rob Sherwood) the notion of a fun radio to operate was raised and how that might become a deciding factor among many different radios with similar receive performance. My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. I must be a contrarian because I think the less buttons without compromising performance or functionality is better. For example, I also have an Icom Pro 3 that has buttons for some menu options on my K3. I use those Icom buttons so rarely that sometimes I need to look up in the user guide again to remind myself what they do and how to use them. Anything rarely used in my opinion is fodder for menu operation. So, if I wanted to buy a fun radio, which one would it be? I would like to know more of what people consider fun in this regard because it is a mystery to me. 73, phil, K7PEH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I guess you should ask yourself what controls need to be accessible right in front of you without menus. I mainly operate CW. Here's what I can access immediately without hitting menu: keyer speed, sidetone pitch level, power output, IF shift / bandwidth / filter selection, preamp / attenuator, NR, NB, RIT/XIT, VFO B, AGC, SPOT, RF AF gain, ATU tune, keyer memories. There's more, but you get the idea. I also have four macro key functions programmed to make some quick configuration changes with a single press. My previous rig was an FT-1000. It had lots of knobs and essentially no menus. I didn't think I lost anything as far as quick access to needed functions when I upgraded to the K3. 73- Nick, WA5BDU __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Seriously? Asking the Elecraft reflector if the K3 is a fun radio to operate is like asking drug addicted people if they like drugs. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch Staunton, Illinois email: mailto:b...@wjschmidt.com b...@wjschmidt.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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I think the K3 (and K2) are fun radios to operate. We've had a K3 at our QRP Field Day for the past two years, and the various operators didn't report any problems that I'm aware of. Since I made a career in software development, menus are no big deal for me. A well-designed transceiver has the least-needed options built into the menus. When I look at something like a FTDX-5/9000 or the photos of the upcoming TS-990, what comes to mind with all of the controls is that these are kitchen sink radios. In other words, they appear to be designed by engineers who took everyone's wish list and implemented each function via front-panel controls. My question is, how often would the average amateur use many of these functions, if at all? I think someone counted 140 controls on the TS-990! 73 de Jim - AD6CW On 1/16/2013 10:03 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: On a couple of earlier messages (one from Rob Sherwood) the notion of a fun radio to operate was raised and how that might become a deciding factor among many different radios with similar receive performance. My question is what is a fun radio? I have heard that some think the K3, being somewhat menu driven, is not a fun radio where as something like a Yaesu with a button and knob for every function is fun. I must be a contrarian because I think the less buttons without compromising performance or functionality is better. 73, phil, K7PEH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
I might add, Fred Cady's book on the K3 covers pretty much everything, although there is nothing wrong with the supplied user manual. I believe that it is sometimes available at a discount from lulu.com 73 de Jim - AD6CW __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?
Nick, I am also mostly CW and I rarely use the menus for CW ops. My question though was not because I was suffering from any lack in using the radio. I was mostly curious as to what other's opinions are on the idea of a fun radio. I just realized that I have very limited experience with radios that do not have menus. My Novice day's rig in the 1960s was a Hammarlund HQ-170AC and an Eico 720. Neither had menus -- anything you did to those rigs you did by turning a knob or throwing or operating a switch. But, I left ham radio in 1967 and did not come back until 2004. So, after the HQ-170AC and the 720, my next rig was an Icom 756 and it had menus. After that was an Icom 756 Pro III and it had menus. After that was the K3 and it has menus. So, I am very poor in experience with radios without menus. 73, phil, K7PEH (Novice call: WN7ECQ) On Jan 16, 2013, at 4:29 PM, Nick-WA5BDU nick-wa5...@suddenlink.net wrote: I guess you should ask yourself what controls need to be accessible right in front of you without menus. I mainly operate CW. Here's what I can access immediately without hitting menu: keyer speed, sidetone pitch level, power output, IF shift / bandwidth / filter selection, preamp / attenuator, NR, NB, RIT/XIT, VFO B, AGC, SPOT, RF AF gain, ATU tune, keyer memories. There's more, but you get the idea. I also have four macro key functions programmed to make some quick configuration changes with a single press. My previous rig was an FT-1000. It had lots of knobs and essentially no menus. I didn't think I lost anything as far as quick access to needed functions when I upgraded to the K3. 73- Nick, WA5BDU __ 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
