[Elecraft] K3 display for contesters

[Dick Green WC1M]

N1EU recently posted a query about the lack of a full-time bandwidth
display. Many replied that all you have to do is turn a knob to see the
current bandwidth. Evidently, this also applies to a number of other
operating parameters, including output power(!)

 

This is all well-and-good for casual operating and DXing, but it's a real
liability for serious contesters. In a contest, the last thing I want to do
is take my hands off the keyboard. I need to be able to see certain
important transceiver setting with a quick glance in order to make a
decision whether or not to move my hands. Bandwidth is one of the settings I
need to know, and the roofing filter selection isn't sufficient -- I need to
know the ultimate selectivity provided by the DSP. I haven't had time to
study the K3 manual in depth, but there are many parameters that need to be
available at-a-glance: both VFO frequencies, bandwidth, shift/PBT, RIT/XIT
power, vox, AGC, RF Gain, preamp, notch, NB, receive antenna status, power,
etc. 

 

Basically, you need to be able to see any setting that might affect
transmission or reception. For example, if the bandwidth is too narrow, and
you don't realize it, you may not hear stations calling slightly off
frequency, or they'll be significantly attenuated. You could have a similar
effect if the notch was inadvertently left on. I can't be required to
remember the last change I made to the settings, which might have been hours
ago. Also, I use two radios and it's impossible to memorize the settings for
both of them. I can't afford to spend time twiddling knobs to determine the
current state of the transceiver.

 

Are the LCD display fields fixed, like on older displays, or are all the
pixels under firmware control? If the display is fixed, the lack of status
displays could be a real problem.

 

73, Dick WC1M