[Elecraft] Interesting K3 Pan Adapter Development

[Kurt Pawlikowski]

Frank, Et Al,

    Okay. I have to fess up... I'm a programmer (or am trying to make 
some money doing it!). The real question is, how well is the interface 
written? I've seen really, really bad interfaces. Better off with pen 
and paper. Or, to keep the analogy, better off with "knobs." But, on the 
other hand, a well designed interface makes the task almost a joy. And, 
in fact, even in the "real world" of knobs, there are good and bad 
designs. In the long run, I expect that flexibility, price and 
customization of computer interfaces will, for many Amateur 
applications, outstrip the physical interface. Myself, I like the 
physical. I guess in that way, I'm "old school." I like dipping meters 
and turning knobs. There is a challenge and a fuller relationship 
between operator and machine when there one is more involved. This is 
also one of the reasons I like kits and straight key CW. Of course, 
there are things I do on the computer that help operation, like logging 
and a spectrum programs (yeah, I'm a geek too!).

    Regards,

    kurtt

    Kurt Pawlikowski, AKA WB9FMC (KX-1)
    The Pinrod Corporation
    kurtt at pinrod.com
    (773) 284-9500
    http://pinrod.com

Frank Hunter wrote:
> Bill Tippett wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi Frank,
>
> Hi Bill!
>
>> I would ask the article's author Vic K1LT who
>> has "been there and done that".  I notice many who are "no
>> knobs" advocates are never seen high in contest standings.
>> K1LT actually does place well in contests so I tend to attach
>> some credibility to his comments.
>>
>> I found 112 K1LT contest results hits below:
>>
>> http://dayton.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/
>>
>> ...but I don't see any results for GI4NKB.  When I begin to
>> see some "no knobs" folks placing high in actual results,
>> then I will become a true believer.  Until then, I am like
>> the guys from Missouri..."Show Me".
>
> Thanks for that Bill. I hadn't realised until you pointed it out that 
> to win a contest I don't need huge amounts of real estate, an antenna 
> farm, massive power and skill. All I need are knobs! Rather than 
> avoiding the issues raised and cherry picking K1LT's article what you 
> should be doing is asking yourself "why is K1LT using SDR?" think 
> about it. Oh and please don't label me as a "no knobs" person, I've 
> plenty of radios with knobs on them including K2's. I simply find as 
> one who has used computers for fun and work for years that it is no 
> big deal using a computer to control a radio it is in truth very 
> intuitive and quick. If you'd read my original post properly you would 
> realise that if contesting with a computer based logger you're 
> effectively a "no knobs" person anyway! Whether you care to admit it 
> or not :)
>
>>  >Yes it will because then more people will be staring at a spectrum 
>> scope
>> and clicking on it to qsy to any intersting looking signals but
>> wondering why they then have to leave this environment to fiddle with
>> knobs
>>
>>         The beauty of a K3 / Panadapter is that you can use
>> mouse, knobs or both.  You are not forced to only either/or.
>
> And neither are you forced to do either with a Flex/PowerSDR combo.
>
> 73, Frank GI4NKB