[Elecraft] K3: Alt 1,2 and presets 1,2

[Ed Muns]

> Attention those who are actively using the new Alt 1,2 filter modes.
> 
> Maybe I am doing something wrong, but it seems to take longer 
> to "bring up" Alt 1, 2 (left-hand knob) compared to selecting 
> "standard"
> (last used) filter modes I, II (right-hand knob).
> 
> Since both the NORM and I, II selections are "yellow" 
> settings, they therefore require the same amount of HOLD time 
> to bring up that function.  If I using the "right hand" knob 
> for  selecting I and II, I simply have the initial HOLD 
> duration time to access the functionality.  If, however, I 
> want to use Alt 1 and 2, I have the same initial HOLD time 
> lag and then I have to twist the knob left/right to select 
> Alt 1, 2, which (by my way of thinking and experience), takes 
> more time than the former approach.
> 
> When I am contesting, I want to do things as quickly as possible.
> So, based on what I am doing and experiencing in the shack, I 
> have chosen to not use Alt 1, 2.  Also, since I really don't 
> twiddle around much (if at all) with presets I, II while 
> contesting, it is far faster to use I and II instead of Alt 1 
> and Alt 2.
> 
> Am I doing something wrong in how I access Alt 1 and 2?

I think this is all true, Doug, and perhaps another reason to use PRESETs I
& II rather than the extended NORM function.  Although for me, the
additional "time" needed to invoke ALT1 or ALT2 is miniscule compared to
being certain what I'm going to get.  About all I do is contesting, and ALT1
& ALT2 are great.  I've never wished they were the same UI as the PRESETs.
It is much more important to me to be absolutely sure what filter settings
I'm going to get.

I can see using PRESETs I & II for instances where I want to toggle between
two filter settings that are not my standard ones for each mode that I have
in ALT1 & ALT2.  In other words, a situation where I consider the two filter
settings temporary and treat the PRESETs as scratchpad memories which is
exactly how they are designed.  ALT1 & ALT2 are designed as user-definable
extensions to NORM that do not change without an explicit SAVe operation by
the user, very different.  But, of course, one can be careful about using
PRESETs I & II (not overriding them with new settings, i.e., don't touch the
filter controls) and use them as "permanent" settings.

73,
Ed - W0YK