[Elecraft] Forums?

[Don Wilhelm]

  Geoffrey,

Welcome to the Elecraft reflector, and congratulations on your choice of 
the K3.

Be assured that the K3 is already a software defined radio.  The fact 
that it's function and operation can be modified by downloading the 
firmware files makes that true.  Yes, the K3 firmware is not open 
source, so you must be constrained by the firmware designers at Elecraft 
to provide the functions that you desire.  There is a list of functions 
that are to be added, and the priorities of that list changes from time 
to time.  As an example, the K3 External Reference was rather low on 
that list until discussions on this reflector indicated more interest 
than had previously determined, so that was moved to a higher priority 
and is now in the final stages of testing.

The fact that the K3 contains its own internal computational engine does 
not diminish the fact that it is a self contained SDR.

If your definition of an SDR requires an external computer (a definition 
I see as flawed), then with the addition of the K3 IF output available 
as part of the KIO3 option will allow you to use the Elecraft P3, or the 
LP-Pan with either TRX Manager or PowerSDR-IF software (or software of 
your own making).

PowerSDR-IF may contain just as many bugs as the Flex PowerSDR software 
on which it is based, but that is different than the K3 software 
(firmware).  Be assured that the K3 firmware is field tested before it 
is released to beta status, and if the beta does not show significant 
problems, it is moved to release status.  I do not see a similar paced 
procedure for PowerSDR.

Yes, I personally use the K3 IF output and send it to a Softrock 6.2 
receiver which also operates with TRX-Manager or PowerSDR-IF just like 
LP-Pan.  It is the less expensive alternative to the Elecraft P3, but 
the capabilities are more limited - I cannot quickly change the span to 
view just one signal like the P3 does with ease.  Despite those 
limitations, it is sufficient for my wants and needs (YMMV).

I do not use the audio out of PowerSDR, but prefer to operate the K3 as 
usual with its own audio output and use the external computer SDR only 
as a panadapter.  Your choices may be different - different stokes for 
different folks, but with the K3, all that is possible.

Other comments on your questions - Support -- Elecraft support is 
separate from this email reflector.  Yes, many support-like questions 
can be answered on this reflector, but it is not "official" -- we are a 
collection of users (many of whom are quite knowledgeable) who try to 
help one another.  Official Elecraft support is available at 
support at elecraft.com.

The Elecraft "enthusiasts forum" is right here on this reflector.  
Review the archives and I believe you will find a lot of enthusiasm for 
Elecraft products right here - no need to set up other discussion 
forums.  Eric and Wayne encourage criticism along with enthusiasm, and 
they do monitor this reflector, so you have the two company principles 
regularly contributing to the discussions too.

There have been several attempts to set up alternative Elecraft 
discussion forums, but as far as I know, all have died for lack of 
participation.  This Elecraft reflector is the main place for discussion 
of anything Elecraft related, be that the KX1, K1, K2, K3, the XV series 
transverters or the mini-modules.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/27/2011 12:01 AM, ROBERT WOLF MD wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I'm very new to the mailing list here. I'm in the process of returning my Flex
> 5000A so that I can purchase a K3. I was unhappy with how unfinished the Flex
> felt and how buggy the software was. It's unfortunate because I'm a college
> student who is studying Information Sciences. I really wanted to experience the
> power of the software defined radio. Anyway, so I've convinced myself through
> reading quite a bit of material on the K3 that I can make the K3 into an SDR
> (with a few restrictions) with a LP-Pan and the modified PowerSDR software.
>
> Anyway, to the main question. It looks like a lot of stuff goes through the
> mailing list here when it comes to support questions etc.
>
> I noticed that there isn't an Elecraft enthusiast forum. There seems to be some
> Elecraft oriented discussion on the QRZ forums. I was wondering if anyone had
> set up their own Elecraft discussion forums.
>
> I also wanted to add that I have some relatively free server resources and I
> would be happy to start up a non-official Elecraft discussion forum if interest
> is shown.
>
> So, if some interest is shown, I would love to host a forum for everyone.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> 73,
>
> Geoffrey Wolf
> AB3LS
> http://www.ab3ls.com
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