[Elecraft] Contesting use

[J&J Kulp]

YES,     YES,    YES,  Sounds like my request from 2 years ago......Pse a BIG front panel for us old goats, contesters, etc....

jim   K3SW



On Nov 22, 2011, at 1:46 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> I would spring for a big front panel only (with some mounting
> attachments) that remotes the K3 over a piece of CAT5.  Unplug the
> CAT5, it goes normal.  Function of buttons configurable.  Add a "null"
> front to replace the regular front panel of the K3 together with a
> back plane for the normal front panel to interface the normal front
> panel to the rest of a K3.  This would allow a seamless use of the
> smaller or larger "remote" front panel. Add an internet front for the
> radio and an internet back for the front panel , and run the radio
> from anywhere over a LAN or the internet. Publish the interfacing and
> let the world write K3 front panel programs for K3's with "null" front
> panels.  This would be in keeping with Elecraft's modular, only buy it
> if you want it, approach. Put three or four radios up on the same CRT.
> 
> 73, Guy.
> 
> On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 12:01 PM, Tom W8JI <w8ji at w8ji.com> wrote:
>> So, what the K3 really needs then is a contest oriented application on a
>> computer.  Maybe something rich like PowerSDR but works with the K3 in a
>> manner where contesting features (logging and contest log management) along
>> with sophisticated macro control from a visual controls perspective.>>>
>> 
>> No. That would never fly for this application.
>> 
>> Operators need buttons or toggle switches that serve one function. Hands are
>> too busy.
>> 
>> <<<
>> Indeed, now that I think about it, this would be a great application if it
>> were designed to be configurable per each contester.  Arrangements of
>> controls on the screen, sophisticated macro control via custom U/I, and
>> other nifty features.>>>
>> 
>> This is a different requirement, and may be one that totally conflicts with
>> the target market. It may not be workable.
>> 
>> Operators want a big panel, big knobs, and one easy to see and hit button
>> that does one task. The last thing that sells into this application is a
>> computer keyboard, mouse, or touch screen application. This is why people
>> with ten or fifteen radios gravitate to the big boxes even though raw
>> performance is less.
>> 
>> <<Thus, instead of sitting in front of the K3 with its small format
>> presentation and the overload commands on the buttons, the computer would be
>> much more useful if all K3 functions were available.>>
>> 
>> It would be much less useful. The computer screen is full of windows
>> already, and clicking outside the window will stop the system from
>> responding.
>> 
>> What would be useful is a toggle switch from 1945. What would be painful is
>> an iPad or keyboard function.  :-)
>> 
>> What would be super, but I realize can never happen, is a big front panel
>> with one control for one function. What would be almost as good is being
>> able to program buttons for dedicated single functions. Like I use M1-M4 for
>> bandwidth changes. It is much better than the rotary knob to just poke a
>> preset button.
>> 
>> There are many things that never get used, but I am not aware of any way to
>> program them to a different use. Like I never use the ATU, because I don't
>> have one. I never use the ANT, only have one port. Never use the NB or NR,
>> because with a crowded band it just kills RX performance.
>> 
>> Moving things off the panel, unless it is something up out of the way on
>> another dedicated panel, is not an option.
>> 
>> 73 Tom
>> 
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