Re: [Elecraft] [K3] [KRC2] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
I agree, with the wire-OR capability of the KRC2 outputs, I do not understand why a configurator program is needed at all -- unless you have need for multiple configurations -- for example, one for contests and another for normal operating. If further expansion is needed, adding some additional diode steering to the KRC2 outputs, many sophisticated switching arrangements can be realized, all with the default configuration. The AC1, 2 and 3 outputs can even be used to switch from one bank of antennas to another controlled by the switches on top of the KRC2. Sophisticated logic switching like that can be accomplished by driving both the + and - sides of the relays from the high and low side outputs of the KRC2 in various combinations. 73, Don W3FPR On 10/15/2011 12:16 AM, Jack Brindle wrote: In the meantime, please realize that the KRC2 does a great job with its default band map. Also, there are ways to have a single antenna selected for multiple outputs (such as 10, 15 and 20 meters selecting a triband antenna) by wire-ORing the output pins together. __ 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] [K3] [KRC2] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
To be clear, I have no issues with interfacing the KRC2 with external devices. The only issue I've had is using the Windows-based program provided on the Elecraft web site to attempt to configure the behavior of the KRC2. It always fails to connect to the KRC2, no matter what settings I try, on both the KRC2 and the computer, including using two different varieties of USB to serial cables (both of which work with all my other equipment, including the K3 and P3), and a laptop from work that has a real serial port. On the other hand, the re-flash program works just dandy. I can re-flash the KRC2 at will, over and over again, ad infitum, ad nauseum. So, I don't think the problem lies in the computer to KRC2 interface. I've been tempted to reverse-compile the KRC2 code file, which is rather small, so I could just patch the configuration table in the flash image, recompute the checksum and re-flash. Maybe if I wasn't putting in 50+ hours a week at my day job, and about 15 hours commuting a week on top of that, I'd feel like I had more time to spend on such a fascinating adventure. I have 30+ years embedded software development experience, so it really wouldn't be all that hard for me. As it is, I'd rather spend what spare time I have building my station and operating, instead of debugging the KRC2 configuration software. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE P.S. Everyone at Elecraft has been really nice when I talk to them about my KRC2 issues, and offer to help, then it just seems to fall into a black hole. It seems to me that the KRC2 support is really just not on anyone's priority list. I guess that would be fine with me, and I could just go about figuring out how to work around it. Original Message Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works? From: W0MU Mike Fatchett w...@w0mu.com Date: Fri, October 14, 2011 1:25 pm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net I have had issues with my KRC2 much of it is the poor operations manual and interfacing to the K3. Jack at Elecraft and Gary have been great to work with. Many of my problems appear to have been from jumper issues. The documentation needs some major work in the way of examples of how to hook up the unit to other devices etc. I had issues with the Array Solutions band decoders and Don, Jack and Gary were all very helpful in solving them. There are many answers due to the fact that there are absolutely no standards when it comes to devices such as bandpass filters etc. Some companies put pull up resistors in their devices others do not. If you want a device that can control your bandpass filters and multiple antenna boxes look at the Microham Station Master. It gathers band data from the Aux line and looks pretty slick. If I needed a box that did more than just drive my bandpass filters I would own one! Mike W0MU J6/W0MU November 21 - December 1 2011 CQ WW DX CW W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net On 10/14/2011 10:26 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Don't hold your breath. I've been waiting literally for years to get the configuration code fixed. Apparently because it works for some folk, then it must be my fault I haven't been able to get it to work on no less then three different computers, some with real serial ports. I need to program it to drive a 3 of 8 encoded Ameritron head. I ordered just the head figuring that I didn't need their control box. I'm about to order the Ameritron control box now, because it will accept 1 of 8 from an external box (which the KRC2 does normally) and encode it into 3 of 8 for the remote head. As a bonus, it will allow me to manually select the antenna, if needed. I have to say that my experience with the KRC2 is the only really negative experience I've had with Elecraft gear. Everything else I've gotten from them has run just fine, and I've gotten superb support. The KRC2 is the only glaring exception, and I suppose I'll just have to chalk it up to an old kit that simply isn't on the company's radar any more for proper after-sales support. If they no longer want to spend the manpower on it any more, they should officially retire it. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE Original Message Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works? From: Roger D Johnsonn...@roadrunner.com Date: Thu, October 06, 2011 1:07 pm To: Larry K1UOk...@uninet.net Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net I just built the KRC2 and it supports 60m. Unfortunately, the software is buggy and won't talk to the KRC2 for programming! I'm going to send it back if I can't get it running soon. 73, Roger On 10/5/2011 5:48 PM, Larry K1UO wrote: I believe a KRC-3 Band decoder than is fully compatible with the K3 is now in order? :-) Its getting so that half the available Band decoders (or more)do not support 6M or even 60 meters for that matter and those that do lack provision for manual band selection so if
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] [KRC2] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
Does this problem persist with the v. 1.6 firmware that has just been released? The message announcing this listed Fixed problem with serial communications when loading band-maps as one of the changes. I haven't tried it myself because I have a customized bandmap and at some point became unable to change it, because of the no KRC2 found problem that you describe. So I am scared to death to do ANYTHING that might reset my KRC2! On 10/14/2011 11:25 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: To be clear, I have no issues with interfacing the KRC2 with external devices. The only issue I've had is using the Windows-based program provided on the Elecraft web site to attempt to configure the behavior of the KRC2. It always fails to connect to the KRC2, no matter what settings I try, on both the KRC2 and the computer, including using two different varieties of USB to serial cables (both of which work with all my other equipment, including the K3 and P3), and a laptop from work that has a real serial port. On the other hand, the re-flash program works just dandy. I can re-flash the KRC2 at will, over and over again, ad infitum, ad nauseum. So, I don't think the problem lies in the computer to KRC2 interface. I've been tempted to reverse-compile the KRC2 code file, which is rather small, so I could just patch the configuration table in the flash image, recompute the checksum and re-flash. Maybe if I wasn't putting in 50+ hours a week at my day job, and about 15 hours commuting a week on top of that, I'd feel like I had more time to spend on such a fascinating adventure. I have 30+ years embedded software development experience, so it really wouldn't be all that hard for me. As it is, I'd rather spend what spare time I have building my station and operating, instead of debugging the KRC2 configuration software. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE P.S. Everyone at Elecraft has been really nice when I talk to them about my KRC2 issues, and offer to help, then it just seems to fall into a black hole. It seems to me that the KRC2 support is really just not on anyone's priority list. I guess that would be fine with me, and I could just go about figuring out how to work around it. Original Message Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works? From: W0MU Mike Fatchettw...@w0mu.com Date: Fri, October 14, 2011 1:25 pm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net I have had issues with my KRC2 much of it is the poor operations manual and interfacing to the K3. Jack at Elecraft and Gary have been great to work with. Many of my problems appear to have been from jumper issues. The documentation needs some major work in the way of examples of how to hook up the unit to other devices etc. I had issues with the Array Solutions band decoders and Don, Jack and Gary were all very helpful in solving them. There are many answers due to the fact that there are absolutely no standards when it comes to devices such as bandpass filters etc. Some companies put pull up resistors in their devices others do not. If you want a device that can control your bandpass filters and multiple antenna boxes look at the Microham Station Master. It gathers band data from the Aux line and looks pretty slick. If I needed a box that did more than just drive my bandpass filters I would own one! Mike W0MU J6/W0MU November 21 - December 1 2011 CQ WW DX CW W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net On 10/14/2011 10:26 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Don't hold your breath. I've been waiting literally for years to get the configuration code fixed. Apparently because it works for some folk, then it must be my fault I haven't been able to get it to work on no less then three different computers, some with real serial ports. I need to program it to drive a 3 of 8 encoded Ameritron head. I ordered just the head figuring that I didn't need their control box. I'm about to order the Ameritron control box now, because it will accept 1 of 8 from an external box (which the KRC2 does normally) and encode it into 3 of 8 for the remote head. As a bonus, it will allow me to manually select the antenna, if needed. I have to say that my experience with the KRC2 is the only really negative experience I've had with Elecraft gear. Everything else I've gotten from them has run just fine, and I've gotten superb support. The KRC2 is the only glaring exception, and I suppose I'll just have to chalk it up to an old kit that simply isn't on the company's radar any more for proper after-sales support. If they no longer want to spend the manpower on it any more, they should officially retire it. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE Original Message Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works? From: Roger D Johnsonn...@roadrunner.com Date: Thu, October 06, 2011 1:07 pm To: Larry K1UOk...@uninet.net Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net I just built the KRC2 and it supports 60m. Unfortunately, the
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] [KRC2] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
Somehow ONCE two plus years ago I managed after maybe 100 trys to
get the KRC-2 programmed to do what I wanted with it.
Now I would love to reprogram it for 6 meters but am scared to death to
attempt it. If somehow the KRC-2 does get reprogrammed but incorrectly
I fear I would never get it back at least to where it is today.
This really needs to be addressed with a new or modified program that
WORKS.
John k9uwa
To be clear, I have no issues with interfacing the KRC2 with external
devices.
The only issue I've had is using the Windows-based program provided on
the Elecraft web site to attempt to configure the behavior of the KRC2.
It always fails to connect to the KRC2, no matter what settings I try,
on both the KRC2 and the computer, including using two different
varieties of USB to serial cables (both of which work with all my other
equipment, including the K3 and P3), and a laptop from work that has a
real serial port.
On the other hand, the re-flash program works just dandy. I can
re-flash the KRC2 at will, over and over again, ad infitum, ad nauseum.
So, I don't think the problem lies in the computer to KRC2 interface.
I've been tempted to reverse-compile the KRC2 code file, which is rather
small, so I could just patch the configuration table in the flash image,
recompute the checksum and re-flash. Maybe if I wasn't putting in 50+
hours a week at my day job, and about 15 hours commuting a week on top
of that, I'd feel like I had more time to spend on such a fascinating
adventure. I have 30+ years embedded software development experience,
so it really wouldn't be all that hard for me.
As it is, I'd rather spend what spare time I have building my station
and operating, instead of debugging the KRC2 configuration software.
73,
-- Dave, N8SBE
P.S. Everyone at Elecraft has been really nice when I talk to them about
my KRC2 issues, and offer to help, then it just seems to fall into a
black hole. It seems to me that the KRC2 support is really just not on
anyone's priority list. I guess that would be fine with me, and I could
just go about figuring out how to work around it.
Original Message
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett w...@w0mu.com
Date: Fri, October 14, 2011 1:25 pm
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
I have had issues with my KRC2 much of it is the poor operations manual
and interfacing to the K3. Jack at Elecraft and Gary have been great to
work with. Many of my problems appear to have been from jumper issues.
The documentation needs some major work in the way of examples of how to
hook up the unit to other devices etc.
I had issues with the Array Solutions band decoders and Don, Jack and
Gary were all very helpful in solving them. There are many answers due
to the fact that there are absolutely no standards when it comes to
devices such as bandpass filters etc. Some companies put pull up
resistors in their devices others do not.
If you want a device that can control your bandpass filters and multiple
antenna boxes look at the Microham Station Master. It gathers band data
from the Aux line and looks pretty slick. If I needed a box that did
more than just drive my bandpass filters I would own one!
Mike W0MU
J6/W0MU November 21 - December 1 2011 CQ WW DX CW
W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net
On 10/14/2011 10:26 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
Don't hold your breath. I've been waiting literally for years to get
the configuration code fixed. Apparently because it works for some
folk, then it must be my fault I haven't been able to get it to work on no
less then three different computers, some with real serial ports.
I need to program it to drive a 3 of 8 encoded Ameritron head. I
ordered just the head figuring that I didn't need their control box.
I'm about to order the Ameritron control box now, because it will accept 1
of 8 from an external box (which the KRC2 does normally) and encode it
into
3 of 8 for the remote head. As a bonus, it will allow me to manually
select
the antenna, if needed.
I have to say that my experience with the KRC2 is the only really
negative experience I've had with Elecraft gear. Everything else I've
gotten from them has run just fine, and I've gotten superb support. The
KRC2 is the only glaring exception, and I suppose I'll just have to chalk
it
up to an old kit that simply isn't on the company's radar any more for
proper after-sales support. If they no longer want to spend the manpower
on
it any more, they should officially retire it.
73,
-- Dave, N8SBE
Original Message
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
From: Roger D Johnsonn...@roadrunner.com
Date: Thu, October 06, 2011 1:07 pm
To: Larry K1UOk...@uninet.net
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
I just
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] [KRC2] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
Guys; The KRC2 Config program has problems. That is one of the reasons it is still classified as beta. We are trying to line up the resources to fix the problems, and will have something much better as soon as we can. In the meantime, there is a detail that might actually help. When the Config Tool is commanded to download a band map, it appears to do so, but afterwards reports an inability to communicate with the KRC2. But, the band map actually was downloaded and is in the KRC2. The way to check this is to step through the bands, checking that the outputs match the pattern selected in the Config Tool. There are a few other problems in the tool, such as an incorrect default band map pattern, and the inability to set the 6 meter selector for the K3 6 meter mode. Again, we will be correcting these as soon as we possibly can. Unfortunately, our resources are tied up with other much higher priority tasks at present. Our apologies. The priority of the KRC2 Config tool is being bumped higher, and we will resolve the problems as soon as we possibly can. In the meantime, please realize that the KRC2 does a great job with its default band map. Also, there are ways to have a single antenna selected for multiple outputs (such as 10, 15 and 20 meters selecting a triband antenna) by wire-ORing the output pins together. Thank you for your patience. We apologize for stretching it way too far. Jack Brindle, W6FB Elecraft Engineering On Oct 14, 2011, at 11:25 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: To be clear, I have no issues with interfacing the KRC2 with external devices. The only issue I've had is using the Windows-based program provided on the Elecraft web site to attempt to configure the behavior of the KRC2. It always fails to connect to the KRC2, no matter what settings I try, on both the KRC2 and the computer, including using two different varieties of USB to serial cables (both of which work with all my other equipment, including the K3 and P3), and a laptop from work that has a real serial port. On the other hand, the re-flash program works just dandy. I can re-flash the KRC2 at will, over and over again, ad infitum, ad nauseum. So, I don't think the problem lies in the computer to KRC2 interface. I've been tempted to reverse-compile the KRC2 code file, which is rather small, so I could just patch the configuration table in the flash image, recompute the checksum and re-flash. Maybe if I wasn't putting in 50+ hours a week at my day job, and about 15 hours commuting a week on top of that, I'd feel like I had more time to spend on such a fascinating adventure. I have 30+ years embedded software development experience, so it really wouldn't be all that hard for me. As it is, I'd rather spend what spare time I have building my station and operating, instead of debugging the KRC2 configuration software. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE P.S. Everyone at Elecraft has been really nice when I talk to them about my KRC2 issues, and offer to help, then it just seems to fall into a black hole. It seems to me that the KRC2 support is really just not on anyone's priority list. I guess that would be fine with me, and I could just go about figuring out how to work around it. Original Message Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works? From: W0MU Mike Fatchett w...@w0mu.com Date: Fri, October 14, 2011 1:25 pm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net I have had issues with my KRC2 much of it is the poor operations manual and interfacing to the K3. Jack at Elecraft and Gary have been great to work with. Many of my problems appear to have been from jumper issues. The documentation needs some major work in the way of examples of how to hook up the unit to other devices etc. I had issues with the Array Solutions band decoders and Don, Jack and Gary were all very helpful in solving them. There are many answers due to the fact that there are absolutely no standards when it comes to devices such as bandpass filters etc. Some companies put pull up resistors in their devices others do not. If you want a device that can control your bandpass filters and multiple antenna boxes look at the Microham Station Master. It gathers band data from the Aux line and looks pretty slick. If I needed a box that did more than just drive my bandpass filters I would own one! Mike W0MU J6/W0MU November 21 - December 1 2011 CQ WW DX CW W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net On 10/14/2011 10:26 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Don't hold your breath. I've been waiting literally for years to get the configuration code fixed. Apparently because it works for some folk, then it must be my fault I haven't been able to get it to work on no less then three different computers, some with real serial ports. I need to program it to drive a 3 of 8 encoded Ameritron head. I ordered just the head figuring that I didn't need their control box. I'm about to order the
