[Elecraft] Yaesu-like SSB > CW auto-switch feature on K3?

[Bill W5WVO]

I used to own a Yaesu FT-897. When certain menu settings were configured appropriately, the FT-897 had this capability:

Scenario: You are in SSB mode in the "phone" part of the 6M band. Signals are extremely marginal, and the other operator switches on-the-fly to CW (automatically offset such that the tone is audible in SSB mode without retuning). You want to transmit in CW. But you don't want to be forced into switching to CW mode for receive because you're not sure what the filters are set for in that mode, and you don't want to lose the extremely weak signal you're now copying in the broad SSB passband. So you just start sending with the key. The radio automatically transmits in CW with the appropriate VFO offset (equivalent to the selected CW sidetone frequency), but continues to receive in SSB mode on the original frequency with the current SSB settings, even in full QSK operation. (The radio actually switches TX/RX mode and frequency offset at keying speeds.) At any time, you can (if you want to) manually switch the radio to CW mode and then transmit and receive in this mode -- or not. It's your choice. If you choose to stay in SSB mode, you can return to talking simply by pressing the push-to-talk (or VOX, if enabled). And then switch back to the key whenever you want to. All without ever touching a knob or button on the front panel.

Being able to switch back and forth between SSB and CW transmission like this is tremendously useful on 6M/2M because these modes are used interchangeably during extreme weak-signal conditions. Seems like somebody over there at Yaesu is or was a serious VHF operator and GETS IT.

Since I am a certifiable... I mean, certified 6M nut, I would sure like to know if the K3 can do this, or if not, if it can be made to do this with just firmware changes. Anybody have any ideas on this? Ten-Tec, for example, says the Omni-VII can't be made to work this way because of its design architecture. (They had never heard of this capability before. No VHF types over there, is my guess. This is their first 6M-capable competition-grade radio.) I would dearly love to have this feature available for 6M work and above on the K3!

Bill / W5WVO
Rio Rancho, NM