[Elecraft] small feature request for the K3

[Scott Ellington]

I haven't measured the delays, but the K3 is quite slow in QSK mode compared to my other rigs.  With TX DLY set to the 8 ms minimum, my external relays hang between the dots above about 35 wpm.  The relays are very fast (1.4 ms); it's the K3 control output that isn't switching.  It would help if the TX DLY could be set to less than 8 ms.  I don't see where tail delay is specified, though I presume it is tied to TX DLY.

QRQ mode helps, but it's still not as fast as with the FT-1000.  I also hate to give up the RIT, etc. just to have better QSK at 40 wpm.  Independent control of leading-edge and tail delay would be optimal.

Does anyone know what the tail delay is, and whether it tracks the TX DLY setting?

73,

Scott  K9MA


On Mar 2, 2011, at 11:41 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> Would't you be far better off to improve your amplifier(s) to QSK operation?
> Or alternatively, some Microham boxes will do that for you by plugging the
> paddle into the Microham box instead of the rig.  That's what I do if I have
> to use a non-QSK backup amp.  I enter those delay parameters into the
> win-key section of the logging program, or if it does not handle that, into
> the uHam router program.
> 
> 73, Guy.
> 
> On Wed, Mar 2, 2011 at 10:31 AM, Wolfgang Schwarz -DK9VZ- <ws at dk9vz.com>wrote:
> 
>> Hi Elecraft
>> 
>> I?m using my K3 99% for CW-Contesting and am optimizing my switch over
>> timing between, Trasnceiver, PA and so on.
>> 
>> When running with the contestsoftware (WinTest) there is an exact
>> PTT-Signal
>> switching TRX and PA before sending CW (PTT on Delay) and after the last
>> CW-character the PTT-line drops as fast as possible to not lose the
>> prefix of
>> a calling station (so no PTT tail delay).
>> 
>> But sometimes you need to send CW with a manual keyer (internal or
>> external)
>> and there is no PTT on delay now and no PTT tail delay. Today we are
>> solving the
>> problem by using a footswitch for this "manual" operation times.
>> 
>> Wouldn?t it be possible for the K3 firmware to have different delay time
>> entries
>> (for PTT ON and PTT OFF) between using the serial port keying and using the
>> Key Ports on the back side
>> (Paddle with the internal Keyer or even with an external keyer)?
>> 
>> ____
>> 73 de
>> Wolfgang DK9VZ
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 

Scott Ellington
Madison, Wisconsin
USA