[Elecraft] K3: Firmware Request

[David F. Reed]

Steve,

I am also in Texas (Navy Marine Corps Mars) and used to have the same 
issue (we do mixed mode nets with MT63 also).

I got around it following some advice from the list and Elecraft; I use 
my Mic on SSB, and the line in on the sound card modes in Digital mode; 
so the compression is not set, and the input levels are independent.

This only requires a Mode switch, which is easily done via PC or button 
pressing in very little time.

It works well for me; you might want to try that.

73 de Dave, W5SV / NNN0SLA

list1 wrote:
> Hi All,
> Have K3 2080 for awhile now. Enjoying it. I have been using it for MARS work
> here in TX and I have been getting some very good reports on how well I
> sound.
>
> I have finally gotten to the point where I have a firmware request.  But let
> me explain why.
>
> In TX Army MARS we now do something called mixed mode nets.  We have had SSB
> nets and digital nets for a long time. Recently they started up CW again.
> But what we do is different than what is usually done mode-wise in amateur
> radio.  A lot of hams who do a lot of digital will set their rigs up for
> digital modes and use that way until they are done and then if they want to
> go say back to USB they'll make a few changes to accommodate this.
>
> But in MARS we do voice and digital transmissions interchangeably.  We start
> with voice, but when we are ready to send traffic we will usually send it
> via MT63, but without changing any configurations.  We need to be able to go
> from voice to digital quickly and seamlessly (In about a second).  This
> mixed mode of operation is much more efficient than either an all digital or
> all voice net. We don't have to change frequencies to send the digital
> stuff.
>
> This brings up two things about the K3 that I am trying to work with: 1) the
> speech processing, and 2) the "hot" mic during transmit of MT63.  I like
> using Proc=10 with the K3.  It helps me transmit nearly 100 Watts all the
> time.  I seem to be getting through under extremely harsh conditions better
> than most other operators. I believe most of this is due to the K3.
>
> So I need to set Proc=0 and Mic=0 just before transmitting in MT63, and
> after the transmission I need to reset Proc=10 and Mic=15 so I can
> immediately start talking on the radio.  I can probably do most of this with
> a macro in the communications program using the "FN" command, since this
> command controls the 4 multifunction knobs on the front of the radio.
>
> The problem is that the "FN" command is not yet available to us. :o(  The
> mic drive and processor settings can't be changed yet from the computer by
> us common folk.
>
> So I was hoping that Santa will give us an "FN" present this Christmas, or
> if not then maybe by New Years, or if not then maybe by 4th of July, or
> if.........
>
> Anyway it would sure help MARS operators across the USA who have K3s, and
> would probably make a few more converts.
>
> 72, and Happy Holidays,
> Steve, W2MY, AAR6CX
>