[Elecraft] Where is it in the MANUAL???

[dyarnes]

Jim, Steve, and All,

Well, Steve is being a little hard on Jim, but the point is that most 
questions are answerable in the manual---somewhere!  The problem is that the 
"contents" page at the front isn't all that helpful with regard to many 
specific questions.  A lot of things you want to find out more about aren't 
going to be specifically identified there.  The manual really needs a good 
index.  Maybe one day that will happen.  In the meantime, one of the best 
ways to track down stuff is to use the "online" version of the manual, and 
do a search.  Choosing the right key word is always tricky, but that seems 
to be a good option.

Speaking of the manual!  I just received my 2nd RX.  Included in the packet 
is an installation guide, which had several sheets of errata.  In this case, 
2 full pages are completely replaced.  Since the manuals are all spiral 
bound, it isn't that easy to insert updates.  However, it can be done if you 
have a little patience, and carefully unbind the manual, then re-insert the 
binding after inserting the updates.  Problem is, the update pages are not 
pre-punched.  I sure wish Elecraft would do that (most of us don't have the 
little gadget that punches holes for spiral binding), especially when there 
are complete pages that need to be replaced.  Alternatively, I would just as 
soon Elecraft not bind their manuals at all!  It's not too difficult (or 
costly) for us to buy our own 3 hole punch (or whatever system you want to 
use), and then updating would be considerably easier.  Yes, I know we can 
make our own copies and do that, but printer ink cartridges are very 
expensive, and mass duplication is fairly inexpensive on a per copy basis.

Spiral binding is a very inexpensive process comparatively, but it wasn't 
meant for documents requiring frequent updates.  It was designed for 
reports, etc. that are in final form.  Just about every updatable manual 
system you find in business employs some sort of ring binding system to 
facilitate easy updating.  It also makes it much easier to insert your own 
notes, etc.  Also, once a manual has been punched for spiral binding, it 
can't be repunched for ring binding very effectively because the old 
punching process weakens the new holes.

Lastly, a ring binder system would enable you to put all your accessory 
manuals in a "tabbed" section  with the main manual, and in a single binder.

I know I'm spitting into the wind, but I hope Elecraft will re-evaluate 
their manual process in the future.  We are fortunate to have a radio that 
keeps evolving.  I think the manual system for it should be improved to 
better support it.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "S Sacco" <nn4x.steve at gmail.com>
To: "JIM DAVIS" <nn6ee at astound.net>
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Where is it in the MANUAL???


> Whatever you do:
>
> 1) Do NOT look at the K3 Owner's Manual
> 2) ESPECIALLY, do NOT look at the "Contents"
> 3) Really, do NOT look under the "Configuration" section in "Contents"
> 4) If it's the last thing you do, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES look at 
> the
> "Miscellaneous Setup" line, which would indicate Page 47.
> 5) If, my some horrible mistake, you actually go to page 47, DO NOT READ 
> the
> section where it says:
>
> Time and Date
> CONFIG:TIME sets the 24-hour real-time-clock
> (RTC). Tap 1 / 2 / 3 to adjust HH/MM/SS using
> VFO A. This URL shows UTC as well as all U.S.
> time zones: tycho.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/timer.pl
> CONFIG:DATE MD selects US (MM.DD.YY). or
> EU (DD.MM.YY) date format using VFO A.
> CONFIG:DATE is used to set the date. Tap 1 / 2 /
> 3 to adjust MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY.
>
>
> In my older version of the manual, it was found on page 44.
>
> ;-)
>
> 73,
> Steve  NN4X <-- in UPPERCASE, 'cause I'm proud of my callsign.
> Saint Cloud, Florida
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 7:11 PM, JIM DAVIS <nn6ee at astound.net> wrote:
>
>> I'd like to SET the internal clock of the K3 to be somewhere near 
>> accurate,
>> but where is that
>> EXPLAINED IN THE K3 manual?
>>
>> Jim/nn6ee
>>
>> PS,
>> Even Elecraft needs to EXPLAIN more in the manuals because not ALL OF US
>> ARE "IT" GENIUSES!!!
>>
>> Jim/nn6ee
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