[Elecraft] P3 Unexpected Control Operation ...

[Bill W4ZV]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4 wrote:
> 
> 
> Rotary controls in the K3 and P3 increase their parameter as the
> encoder is turned clockwise except in two cases.
> 
> 1) The P3 "REF LVL" is decreased with clockwise rotation.  Maximum
>     reference level is -10 dBm with the encoder fully counterclockwise
>     while it is minimum -160 dBm with the encoder fully clockwise.
> 
> 2) The P3 "SCALE" (range) is decreased with clockwise rotation.
>     Scale is minimum (10 dB) when the encoder is fully clockwise
>     and maximum (80 dB) when the encoder is fully counterclockwise.
> 
> Both of these controls violate the principle of "expected" behavior
> and consistent operation.
> 

Alan N1AL may want to respond but I don't believe either is a bug.  Both are
consistent with more sensitivity in the clockwise direction, which is
consistent in my opinion.  In the case of REF LVL, turning clockwise until
the noise floor becomes visible seems correct (i.e. like turning RF GAIN
clockwise in a traditional radio).  In the case of SCALE, it means less
visible range above the noise floor which means more resolution of weak
signals.

After using the P3 I find the current conventions intuitive.  While they
might not be technically consistent (in terms of the values being set) I
believe both are consistent and intuitive in terms of practical use.  We
need to remember the P3 is not a spectrum analyzer (mainly used for
measuring spurious signals down from a reference carrier but a panadapter
(mainly used for identifying weak signals above a noise floor).  Either
*can* be used the other way around, but I believe the controls of both are
set up differently for good reasons.

73,  Bill

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