[Elecraft] K3: identify when in TEST mode

[Bob Cunnings]

Oh, sorry, I didn't read Julian's message correctly. As a CW op, I see
that in CW mode the TX LED flashes when transmitting in test mode,
following the keying. I fear that the whole point of the discussion
was lost on me, it's about an indication when using PTT modes.

While we are at it, I've argued before that if test mode is selected,
it should persist through a power cycle. Like you, I normally keep the
rig in test mode, and I'd rather not have to put it into test mode
every time I power up, as I must do now. It's like the safety on a gun
- if I put it on, I want it to remain that way until I explicitly
change it. That discussion, some time back (on this list), ran aground
on the shoals of the "then I won't notice that tx is disabled when I
next power up" objection, which led right into the present topic "how
can the test mode be more loudly annunciated". The result that time
was a change to make the TX icon blink more rapidly, which works for
me.

This is certainly a subject that arouses great interest!

Bob NW8L


On Sat, Feb 7, 2009 at 10:45 AM, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604
<faunt at panix.com> wrote:
> Err, Julian's proposal was for the TX LED to flash if you were trying to
> transmit while in Test mode.  If you're just using the rig for an RX,
> you'll not see that light.
>
> Some people have their metering to reflect SWR/ALC, so the K3 power
> indicator isn't the best indicator.
>
> Me, I have no problem with the existing setup, but Julian's proposal
> is as good as any.  Before I transmit intentionally, I look there
> anyway to see where I'm transmitting, since my rig is likely to be in
> SPLIT.  I tend to leave the rig in Test mode, anyway, so I don't
> transmit unintentionally.  With a key, a mike, a footswitch and several
> ways for software to TX, the cats have way too many ways to turn on
> the TX.
>
> 73, doug
>