[Elecraft] K3 FW request: enhanced TX TEST warning

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> All I'm looking for is a more obvious warning that something 
> isn't normal. It would be wrong to change any of the displays 
> that need to be behave normally when TX Test mode is being 
> used for its intended function.
> 
> If anyone has a better suggestion than flashing the Delta-F 
> LED (which is already being used by the K3 Utility for a similar 
> purpose, but has no useful function while in TX Test mode) 
> then by all means let's discuss it.

The Delta-F LED has the same purpose in normal operation and 
test mode - the tx/rx frequencies are not the same even if 
the power amplifier will not generate any output.  

If your concern is that a user can be confused by accidentally 
putting the radio into test mode, make the ability to use test 
mode controllable in the CONFIG menu and make the "enable" item 
part of the tech mode group.  

Flashing a Delta-F LED would not mean any more to a user 
unfamiliar with the K3 than flashing the TX icon.  If the 
goal is to let the unfamiliar user know why he is not getting 
output, the TX TEST display is unambiguous for the "untrained" 
user.  

Rather than another display change that as no meaning for the 
unfamiliar user, make a clear display change or modify the 
user interface to make it much more difficult to accidentally 
enter the unexpected state. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ian 
> White GM3SEK
> Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 3:48 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FW request: enhanced TX TEST warning
> 
> 
> Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> >
> >> As a stronger warning that the K3 is in TX Test mode, would it be 
> >> possible to flash the orange "Delta-F" LED as well as the tiny TX 
> >> icon?
> >
> >Instead of doing that, why not simply hijack the VFO B display and 
> >flash "TX TEST" when in test mode?   The display is already there if 
> >you think users are so incompetent that they need hand holding.
> >
> 
> "Incompetent" doesn't come into this. The K3 will frequently 
> be used by 
> people who have never seen one before, and even people who 
> know the rig 
> can make mistakes.
> 
> All I'm looking for is a more obvious warning that something isn't 
> normal. It would be wrong to change any of the displays that 
> need to be 
> behave normally when TX Test mode is being used for its intended 
> function.
> 
> If anyone has a better suggestion than flashing the Delta-F 
> LED (which 
> is already being used by the K3 Utility for a similar 
> purpose, but has 
> no useful function while in TX Test mode) then by all means let's 
> discuss it.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> 73 from Ian GM3SEK         'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
> http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek 
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