[Elecraft] [K3] K3 ergonomics

[Paul Christensen]

> stepping through the bands one at a time.  If the K4 changes nothing else, 
> I
> hope it changes that by providing a one-touch method for selecting a band.

With a few changes and additions, the K3 could be turned into a K4 with 
reasonable effort.  Here's what I envision:

- Create a new black-face panel for the K3.  Its face is bare but contains 
RJ-11 or RJ-45 connectivity for the customers' choice of two panels.  For 
routing between panel and the K3 base unit, perhaps RJ-45 for mic, and RJ-11 
for headphone audio and DC power.  In the new black face panel mounts the 
existing Main DSP Board;

- Panel 1 looks like the current panel -- nothing changes;

- Panel 2 is a larger panel with band buttons and (possibly) and integrated 
P3 pan adapter and color LCD display of all operating parameters;

- The K3 is continued just as it is.  Evolution to the K4 is conducted with 
a K3.  Those wanting a K4, simply purchase the black front panel and one of 
two new front panels;

- The new front panel communicates to the base K3 unit via serial data (like 
the Kenwood TS-480).  This has a powerful secondary benefit in that it 
allows the user to use a serial/USB adapter for remote Internet operations. 
Just load a panel and netbook PC into a small Pelican case and you're off 
and running from any Wi-Fi point -- with a real front panel;

- As long as the panel power can be conserved to120 mA or less, a DC-DC 
upconverter can be used from the PC's powered USB port.  I am doing this 
today with a TS-480 and an upconverter the size of a 7805 regulator.  One 
plug adapts RS232 to USB and powers the TS-480 panel.

- Software (like that designed by W4MQ) is loaded on both the client and 
host ends -- or a web server is yet another K3 option that plugs into the 
new black panel.  Audio is facilitated through any VoIP program (e.g., 
Skype, IP-Sound, etc.).  If a web server is used, it would be possible to 
include audio (like the Omni VII) and eliminate the PCs.  However, I have 
tried this approach and there's just no substitute for having the 
flexibility of PCs at both ends of an Internet link -- as well as a choice 
of audio CODECs that can be regulated based on the quality of the Internet 
connection.

I know this may sound like something that takes years in the making, but 
many of us are doing this now with TS-480s and remote control units made by 
N8LP.  There's nothing we cannot do over the Internet that we can do 
locally.  Antennas turn, amps switch, AC power is controlled through 
Ethernet power controllers, web cams are used for remote site surveillance 
with video monitoring up the tower as antennas turn, environmental 
temperature and intrusion alarms are all monitored.  Remote-site PC's that 
crash are all on auto-ping to re-start automatically.

No doubt there are many details to sort out, but given other complex tasks 
accomplished by Elecraft, I am sure they could roll with this one -- if 
there's enough demand for it.

Paul, W9AC