[K3] [Elecraft] Software suggestion: a more prominent TESTindicator

[Carl Clawson]

Julian does make a good point, and regardless of the rig that you're running
you should always keep an eye on your power and SWR indicators to make sure
you're putting out the signal you expect. At my home station I use an
external meter because the flicking needles grab my attention a little
better than the bar graphs on the display.

The difference with the K3 is that AFAIK the test mode is unique to it.
Every rig I've used had a VOX to control CW transmit enable, so operators
are used to looking for it. The same goes for SPLIT, RIT, etc. The K3 test
mode, however, seems to trip up even experienced K3 operators fairly often.

73, WS7L 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of G4ILO
> Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 1:09 AM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [K3] [Elecraft] Software suggestion: a more 
> prominent TESTindicator
> 
> That's not such a bad idea. Trouble is, there are quite a few 
> other "gotchas" that you don't get any obvious warning about, 
> like not having VOX enabled when trying to send CW, or having 
> SPLIT or RIT enabled when you have forgotten about it. Why 
> single out just one "gotcha" for special treatment?
> 
> After the first couple of times, you learn to check for 
> things like that.
> Nobody should expect to be able to operate anything as 
> complex as a K3 flawlessly without first spending some time 
> learning how to drive it.
>