[Elecraft] K3 "operating scripts" to help first-time users

[wayne burdick]

Hi all,

While working on the next revision of the owner's manual, I've been 
thinking that it gives a decidedly top-down (deductive) look at the 
K3's controls and features. But for many people, a bottom-up 
(inductive) approach leads to quicker results.

Imagine if, as a new user of the K3, you could have an "expert" looking 
over your shoulder. He could step you through a series of actions to 
set the radio up for a particular operating scenario, pointing out the 
rig's powerful features along the way.

This is the idea behind "operating scripts." I'm imagining one or 
two-page .html documents that can be either viewed on-line or printed. 
Each would have a very specific title, something like:

    K3 Operating Script: CW DXing on 40 m

And an introduction, e.g.:

    This script will step you through a typical weak-signal DXing session
    with the K3, in this case on 40 m. This band offers several unique
    challenges (QRN, QRM) and opportunities (like gray-line long-path to
    Asia or Africa). It's a great vehicle for demonstrating the K3's
    noise blanking and filtering, as well as diversity receive with the
    sub receiver.... (etc.)

It might be formatted as a table with two columns. The first would 
provide unambiguous instructions, and the second could provide expected 
observations, variations on commands, or helpful tips. Here's an 
example:

------------- Action -------------         ----------------- Notes 
------------------

Switch to 40 m by tapping BAND UP/DN       Also try: FREQ ENT, '7000', 
'<-' on keypad

Tap MODE UP/DN to get to CW mode

Hold NORM (hold function of SHIFT/LO       Sets overall passband to 400 
Hz; "wings" appear
knob)                                      on the DSP graphic to show 
passband is normalized

Etc.

Here's where your creativity comes in! Lead the new user through a 
typical session, dealing with The Dragon, searching for DX, narrowing 
down the passband using WIDTH, NORM ALT1/2, or presets I/II, notching 
out big broadcast station carriers.... you get the idea.

I haven't thought it through much beyond that. But it's safe to say 
that we'd accept accurate (tested) scripts from K3 owners and create a 
page for them on our web site.

If you'd like to try your hand at this, feel free to send an example 
script to me, and also copy it to Greg (AB7R), ab7r AT cablespeed DOT 
com.

Some scripts I'd like to see:

   - 6 meter FM and repeaters
   - Making the most of stereo speakers/phones (AFX, etc.)
   - Pileup management in SPLIT mode
   - Exploring the filter passband controls
   - Filter setup: CONFIG menu vs. K3 Utility
   - RTTY QSOs without a computer
   - Setting up and using PC soundcard I/O

73,
Wayne, N6KR

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http://www.elecraft.com