[Elecraft] K2 Question on Options

[John Ragle]

Hello, Ron...

In past years I used my K2, my Flex 3000 (both sold, now) and my K3 on 
one or another of the digital modes, e.g. CW and PSK31 for the most 
part, but PSKxx (xx>31), Olivia, etc. as well. I would like to speak in 
defense of these modes and in support of Elecraft's ability to run them 
perfectly.

It seems to me that these modes are absolutely ideal for 
chatting...sometimes my QSOs on PSK31 or PSK63 have lasted over an hour. 
To be sure, there is routine information that is usually exchanged 
during the initial part of a QSO (RSQ, name, QTH, etc), some of which 
can be programmed into the macro keys that programs have available, but 
the relaxed character of a contact makes it possible to have a real 
conversation while drinking tea or eating soup, etc.

There are always a few people who seem to be counting coup (I call them 
hello-goodbye QSOs), but you will find that behavior in any mode.  Have 
you considered the possibility that your call sign (VE8RQ) might 
intimidate people into having short QSOs? While not extraordinary DX, it 
is a sufficiently rare prefix that some might want to "make room for the 
next fellow." I think that digital modes deserve another try...

John Ragle --W1ZI

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On 7/13/2011 9:20 AM, R Thompson wrote:
> Thanks, but I'm not a fan of digital modes.  I tried them once, and
> tried to have a QSO with someone.  He came back and told me that he
> didn't QSO, and only sent the info that was pre-programmed in to the
> function keys.  Other attempts resulted in similar responses.  So I
> nick-named digital operation a "push-button" mode, and decided that it
> wasn't for me.