[Elecraft] As if they need more to do...

[Buddy Brannan]

Hey guys,

I guess about a week ago, someone or other mentioned that they'd like
more transverter outputs in the next K2 firmware update, then someone
else said they didn't and wanted some other stuff. Well, as if Wayne
and Eric really needed even more input on the subject, here's what I'd
love to see, in Buddy's perfect world and all that stuff. Mind you, I
have no idea how practical any of this is, or even if anyone else
thinks this would be useful, but there you are. So, while I patiently
wait for the KRC2 accessibility firmware to be ready for public
consumption, here we go.

Now I'll start off by saying that I've thoroughly enjoyed my K2 since
receiving it a couple months or so ago. It's been a wonderful rig to
operate, even without the spiffy KRC2 accessibility firmware, and even
though I haven't got to play with the menu settings as none of the
software I've found seems to touch them. But still, whatever the
defaults are, or whatever Alan left them at, it works great! And due
to whatever, I've worked my *first* 40-meter dx ever--on the
K2/100. Never worked any DX on 40 before that, and now I have, so that
must count for something, too. 

Now having said that, I'll say that there are some teeny tiny things
that I think would make the rig even easier to use. In order of
implementation preference (loosely in that order, anyway):

1. I'd like to see the two-switch combinations added to the list of
things that can be assigned to the two programmable function
keys. These combinations can be a bit tricky to hit, and I don't know
about anyone else, but I, personally, use the direct freq entry quite
a lot. I've found that most of the time I can hold one band button
down while quickly pressing the other, but there's a bit of a knack to
it, and sometimes I end up changing bands, or going into memory recall
or store instead. Sure, there are only two two-switch combinations, I
think, and likely as not one shouldn't need to turn on and off the
AGC, but if we're gonna add one, may as well add both, eh? 

2. Currently, I'm using the microphone that formerly connected to my
Yaesu FT-757. Maybe one of these aeons I'll get the Heil hand mic, or
maybe the desk mic...though probably not, as my phone operation
comprises maybe 10% of my operating. Maybe. Anyway, as most
microphones do, this one has up and down buttons, which seem to swap
between VFO a and VFO B on the K2. To my surprise, switching VFO's
with the mic buttons made the radio beep, likely using the sidetone
circuitry if I had to guess, one short beep for A, two for B. Whether
by accident or design, this is dead useful. I'd love to see other
toggle functions do something like this...and I'd like to see it on
all the buttons on the face of the radio. (Say, the number 2 that
switches between VFO's beeps just like the mic buttons.) I'd like to
see this for split/normal, noise blanker on/off,, fast/slow AGC,
RIT/XIT on/off. Maybe a similar pattern for attenuator/pre-amp on/both
off (we'd have to figure out something for a button with three
settings), for split (and which VFO is receiving and which
transmitting), etc. Actually, I expect quite a lot of *that* will be
handled by the KRC2 accessibility firmware, but I expect the more
basic toggles should be do-able without it. Things like filter
selection shouldn't need a beep, as one can hear the different filters
switching. Oh yes, of course, VOX on/off and cw transmitter
on/off. Maybe a long beep to tell when hold functions activate so you
know when to let go :)

Of course, different pitches would be nice, but even one pitch
(sidetone pitch) with different lengths and combinations would do
fine. 

Heck, even sticking a beep at the beginning of the menu would
help. Ah. Too many beeps. Mayhap I'm a little beep-happy. Never mind
that. I expect that I may be in a small minority on the beeping issue,
but maybe the two-switch combination thing might have more widespread
appeal? 

Vy 73,
-- 
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV/3    | But I will lay my burden 
Email: davros@ycardz.com   | in the cradle of your grace,
ICQ: 36621210              | And the shining beaches of your love,
http://www.ycardz.com      | and the sea of your embrace.--Dave Carter