[Elecraft] Give us a network interface

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

 > Sure, many of these software programs do not support network
 > connections yet, but we need the hardware to support it first.
 > Once the hardware supports it, the software designers will be
 > quick to add it.

I seriously doubt that.  Most software writers tend to support a
common feature set for all transceivers.  Unless they are writing
transceiver specific 'remote operation' or 'soft front panel'
applications, they will continue to write to a serial interface -
whether it is implemented as a standard serial port or a USB to
serial converter - and support set/get for frequency and mode
because that's what is available in the 10s of thousands of
transceivers already in user hands.

The Omni VII has a true network interface ... do you see ANY of
the major software packages supporting the full feature set of
the Omni VII via Ethernet?  No, the only software to take full
advantage of the Omni VII capability is TenTec's own package.

 > Once more I will make my plea for a network interface in the K3
 > and now the P3.

In addition to the lack of usefulness with third party software,
this is a bad idea in general.  It would generally require a
separate controller (or much larger controller) and would add
significant complexity and cost with no corresponding benefit
for the overwhelming majority of users.

The K3 provides a rich (although sometimes cumbersome) interface
for external control.  If you want a network level interface, the
Programmer's Guide provides enough information that you can build
your own.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 8/29/2010 8:18 AM, Ken Nicely wrote:
> Once more I will make my plea for a network interface in the K3 and now the
> P3.
>
> I, like others, have had issues getting the serial communications working.
>   I understand that setting up a network device is a little more complicated
> than a serial device, but it would eliminate all the issues introduced by
> having to run custom software (LP Bridge) to communicate between more than
> one software application and the K3 or P3.  It would also eliminate the need
> to communicate through the P3 to talk to the K3.
>
> Please give us a network port on the K3 and P3.  This would allow each
> program to independently communicate with both the K3 and P3, greatly
> simplifying the communication between the software and the rig.  Sure, many
> of these software programs do not support network connections yet, but we
> need the hardware to support it first.  Once the hardware supports it, the
> software designers will be quick to add it.
>
> Ken Nicely KE3C
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