[Elecraft] Dayton review

[Brian Lloyd]

> Flex 5000:  GREAT specs, zero radio-ness.  One method of "tuning the
> band" is to use a "hand tool" (like you use on a pdf file) and you
> "pull" the band across your display (like Goole Maps).  Very, ummmm,
> different.  User interface (tactile) is all but lacking.  There is
> this external device with pushbuttons and a knob to use, but I like at
> least two knobs (one for each VFO or one for VFO and one for RIT/XIT).
> If they ever get a better (much better) human interface, this will be
> one to watch.

Just get three of those sexy USB knobs. There should be a way to bind  
them to the various knob-functions in software.

OTOH, it wouldn't be hard to build a panel that had all the switches  
and knobs and then spoke to the software over USB. Use the CRT to  
make useful pictures like the pan display, metering, status messages,  
etc.

This is an interesting User Interface (UI to us computer geeks)  
issue. One of the best things in the world to keep confusion to a  
minimum is a panel with knobs and switches that each do one and only  
one thing. Put labels on 'em and it is pretty hard to get confused  
about which "mode" the button is in. I got this from Jef Raskin who  
was in part responsible for the original Apple Macintosh. He is  
right. Frankly, this is where I think the K3 wins.

OTOH, I wonder about the "open-ness" of the K3's software to allow  
hackers to add new modes and new modulations. Making the K3 "open"  
with some kind of SDK would clinch the deal hands-down.

> PPS...best "other" Tee Shirt:  "Power is no substitute for Skill."   
> Love it.

And to add to that, "Power is no substitute for propagation.  
Sometimes it is better just to MUF it."

Brian Lloyd                         3191 Western Drive
brianl AT lloyd DOT com             Cameron Park, CA 95682
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There is a time to laud one's country and a time to protest.  A good  
citizen is prepared to do either as the need arises.

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