[Elecraft] K2 Front Panel Extension

[Stan Rife]

	Would it be possible to just remote the front panel of the K2? I
want to run mine mobile, but do not have the room in the front of the
vehicle for the full size of the radio.



Stan Rife
W5EWA
Houston, TX
K2 S/N 4216
 

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Solosko, Robert B
(Bob)
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 8:56 AM
To: 'w3fpr at arrl.net'; Lemkes; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 Front Panel Extension


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: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 7:14 PM
To: Lemkes; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
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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