[Elecraft] K3s in the Field & Beta 3.10

[Ed K1EP]

At 4/16/2009 12:24 PM, Gary, VE1RGB wrote:
>Good point, Ed.  Usually, though, the station is all built up by that time
>and some semblance of discipline has returned.  No one is holding on to the
>antenna or the feed line is not disconnected or no RF test equipment is
>attached during those kinds of re-boots.  Wayne's latest improvement should
>cut down the odds of any unpleasant surprises by an order of magnitude.
>
>Actually, if the K3's DC power supply is connected to the same source of A.C
>as everything else in the tent (like the computers) and one loses that
>source of A.C., the K3 shuts down when it loses its DC.  Upon restoration of
>AC to the station and hence DC to the radio, one must turn the K3 back on
>again which disables VOX as per Wayne's latest change.  I think this fix
>should cover 99% of contingencies.

Actually, what I do is put the K3 in TEST mode if I am going to leave 
the radio unattended.  If for some reason, power gets cycled, the 
radio will now power up in NORMAL mode.  Instead of or in addition to 
the current "fix" to disable VOX on power up, I would like to see 
either the radio maintain the TEST state after power up (i.e. if it 
was in TEST mode when power was removed, then it would power up in 
TEST mode) or always (menu selectable) power up in TEST mode.  I 
think that is "safer" than the VOX "fix".  Just my opinion.


Now here is a really off the wall request/suggestion.  I am NOT 
asking it be done.   Repeat, I am not asking or requesting it be 
implemented. But I thought it would be novel option.  Have the 
frequency readout be a mirror image.  Why?  I have operated  with my 
K3 mobile (parked!) and have had the K3 in the rear seat area for 
convenience.  In most cases I wouldn't have to fiddle with many 
controls other than the VFO.  So to read the frequency, I would have 
to turn around to see the radio.  But if there was a mirror option, I 
could read it in my rear view mirror.  Okay, I really don't want to 
suggest having this option, but since there are always multitudes of 
option suggestions for specialized situations, I thought I would add 
my own here.