[Elecraft] First-timer's K3 experiences in WW CW

[Zoli Pitman HA1AG]

Hello, 

I just received my K3 2 weeks before the WW CW so it was a rough transition taking this rig in use. Steve K6AW helped me a lot, spending lots of time with me on Skype explaining and giving tips about how to use the K3 in contesting optimally. (TNX!!) I took the K3 to Portugal where I had a mini M/S with Con DF4SA and Marq CT1BWW. 

I was impressed by the RX, it worked ufb, I only had a few issues, which are either config
issues (most likely my pilot errors) and some are supposedly design issues, like: 

- I
failed to find a way to get VFO-B freq permanently on display. My K3
keeps showing PA temp, time, PS current and voltage etc and it toggles
between these when I toss the dial of the sub-VFO. Having to push that
SUBVFO-SET button sucks. I would like to have the VFO-B dial to be used
only for VFO-B whenever the SUB-VFO is activated. I checked the manual back
and forth on the plane back and could not find such an option. What I
found is that I either tune VFO-A or press BSET (have to hold and not
even tap only!) and then and only then can change VFO-B freq. I badly missed the
capability of the MP to tune A and B independently and engage and
disengage dual-rx quickly.

-
I also failed to find a way to put the CLAR offset permanently on
display. It keeps switching back to that PA temp etc. Sometimes I
wandered too much off my run freq  without noticing it. Having the CLAR offset permanently displayed whenever activated would be a useful reminder. It seems
CLAR offset is only displayed when I change it.

- The hint to turn AGC off whenever possible and control with RF-gain was
really a good one. it really helped me to pick up the weaker USA calls
among the pile of EUs. It was a very enjoyable challange. However I
missed a sort of AGC in the audio stage, because when I got called by
some really strong stations my eardrums were in pain... 

- I purchased
250/500 Hz CW filters. There is a dramatic change between those. In addition it seemed AGC was pumped badly when I went for a narrower DSP BW than the roofing filter. I
think for contesting I should put 250/400 and for casual DXing the
loose 500Hz filters are perfect. 250/400/500 would give me a very
gradual change. Lowbands in WW are the ultimate test for IF design I guess. 

- Having optical encoders for speed and power is
not optimal in my opinion. First I don't need the capability to set 56
instead of 57 Watts, second, those buttons are very close and roll very
easily so I happened to change accidentally the power when I only
wanted to change keying speed even though I do not have a big hand.
Plus they lack the visual indication (possible with a simple potmeter)
which would come handy for a simple visual sanity check for the sleep deprived mind. 

-
If I understand correctly I need to buy the KXV3A module just to
have an RX antenna capability. Maybe there is a workaround to connect RX
ant to the AUX ANT connector and use the SUB RX for RX and the main RX
to TX or vica versa, but I need to figure out exactly how. Or I need to
build in a relay and add an extra connector to the place of ANT2 or 3.
Something I need to put in later.

Any feedback would be gratefully appreciated, 73!

zoli HA1AG (CR5X in WWCW)