[Elecraft] Re: K3 - Initial Thoughts

[Simon Brown (HB9DRV)]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "wayne burdick" <n6kr at elecraft.com>
>
> Keep those suggestions coming. The K3 will evolve (carefully!), over time, 
> based on customer feedback. We'll be very cautious in adding new features, 
> however, making sure that they're warranted, intuitive, and without 
> compromising the basic functionality of the rig in any way.
>

The panadapter should have its own PC interface, we are probably looking at 
RS232 @ 115,200 bps or even higher (I am thinking 1024 bytes at 20Hz with 
data compression, or 1024 x 12 bits at 10Hz. USB / firewire would be even 
better in this respect but we can use RS232 for now. There are all sorts of 
algorithms we can use to get the data down the wires.

The ability to get this raw data and display it on a PC will be fantastic - 
for example monitoring 6m CW beacons. I would not try to mix this data with 
the K3's normal RS232, keep the feeds separate.

There are many aficionados who can take the RS232 from K3 and panadapter, 
then create a display similar to the IC-7800's using a PIC-based controller, 
I will do this using a computer.

I suggest that the panadapter display be VGA and optional - I have many 
decent VGA monitors here, I would rather use one of these than spend money 
on a small LCD which can be quite expensive and potentially hard to replace 
in the future.

Woo-Hoo,

Simon 'K3: Klingon-Free' HB9DRV