[Elecraft] K3 v. ORION II and flexibility (not that kind)

[Bob Tellefsen]

Hi Don
I don't like large plugs sticking out the front of my
radio, so I bought a right angle adapter plug for
my K3 headphone jack.  It has the 1/4" stereo
plug into the radio, and a 1/8" stereo receptacle
for my headphones.  Being a right angle adapter,
it keeps everything out of the way.  I use the
rear panel jacks for my voice headset.
73, Bob N6WG

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
To: "Dave" <dbp at tds.net>
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 v. ORION II and flexibility (not that kind)


> Dave,
>
> I am with you on all counts :-)  - if it just were possible!  For
those
> K3 owners who do not appreciate the problem, try tuning the radio by
> placing the fingers of the left hand on top of the radio and tune
the
> VFO with your thumb - the hand covers much of the display.  Now try
it
> with the right hand - the whole display can be read easily.   Put a
mic
> plug into the front panel connector and use the left hand to operate
the
> RF Gain control, it works, but with difficulty  - similarly for the
AF
> Gain when there are headphones plugged into the front jack.
> Fortunately, the K3 has rear connectors.
>
> I suppose the 'left handed syndrome' is why I find computer control
of
> the radio easier - but OTOH, my preference is really for real knobs
and
> buttons.  Using a mouse works, but pointing and clicking does not
> provide the feel of a real knob.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Dave wrote:
> > Two great radios. Two right handed great radios. Two great radios
whose developers  paid little or no inclusion to left handed people.
> >  I'd suggest that doing more than a software change that a handful
of people might want because of their particular activity that we look
into real, not virtual, moveable front panels. Imagine taking a main
tuning module and placing it towards the left. Take those archaic
plugs for the mic, headphones and key and get them away from that all
important left side control position. Put them out of the way at the
bottom right hand corner. Individual 6 pin modules with concentric
knobs  could be placed in a matrix on the front panel, and software
could be the tool to activate that position as a user selected control
function position (a USCFP).
> >  Two great radios that I wouldn't trade for the... unless these
were made in left handed models.
> > 73 de Dave K1OPQ
> >
> >
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