[Elecraft] K3 band stacking suggestion

[Dave Perry]

Steve,

I do have the KPA500 and your email gave me the idea for another workaround for a lack of a bandstacking feature on the K3.  I decided to start using the numeric memories 0 - 9 for storing multipliers in the CQ WW.  I normally use these memories to store band memories from 160 through 6 meters.  So I guess I will abandon the use of the first 10 numeric memories for band changes and use the band change buttons on the KPA500 for that purpose.  I can also use my logging software to change bands.

So to save a pileup (multiplier) in the number 1 memory, I hit V>M and then the 1 key.  For the second pileup, I hit the V>M key and the 2 key.  I can do this for up to 10 memories.  To recall a memory, I hit M>V and the number key.  This is only a rough workaround and definitely not an ideal solution.  I would still like to see a quicker way to enter and recall memories -- as described in my earlier posts.  In essence, we should only have to hit one button to memorize and one button to go into recall mode and then have some way to scroll through the stacked, saved memories.  I like the suggestion from someone that we use the Mode key to do the scrolling.  I hope Aptos is following this thread.

BTW, I would not hold off on purchasing a K-Line (which I have) just due to the lack of this feature.  The radio, panadapter and amplifier are so superior in so many other areas, that I find the lack of a bandstacking feature only a mild inconvenience.

I really do hope that the powers to be in Aptos will come up with a way to add bandstacking -- like they did with the super APF feature.

Dave, N4QS
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steve Jackson 
  To: n4qs at comcast.net 
  Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 1:18 PM
  Subject: K3 band stacking suggestion


  Dave

  I don't post here often despite my lurking daily since 1999.  

  Your comments (and related others) about K3 band stacking registers causes me to pop up out of the weeds.  I don't currently own a K3 but had one for a while and really liked it ... except for the lack of this feature, predicated mostly on the fact that the radio doesn't have dedicated band select buttons.

  However, the KPA500 **does** have band-dedicated buttons.

  It would be quite useful if the firmware supported a 'mode' setting where a user could elect to make his/her KPA500 band buttons act as band stacking registers.  As was mentioned here in another recent message, this MODE setting could shut off the feature (perhaps the default) and then let the user pick whether he/she wanted 2, 3, or 4 registers.  Indeed, the feature could be enabled on a per-band basis, if you wanted to get fancy, but it's not necessary.

  I fully recognize that this feature would then be available only to those who both (a) owned KPA500 amps and (b) had them connected to the K3 with the interface cable.  **

  This is a group of Elecraft owners which I plan to re-join as soon as I am able ... and if I knew that this feature was there, I would accelerate that rejoining.   Quickly.  With the purchase of an entire new K-line.  Yes, I feel THAT strongly about the feature.

  Steve KZ1X/4
  K1  #1181
  K2  # 771

  **  An alternative for those who didn't have a KPA500 is an outboard accessory box including a small microcontroller to create the command sequences the amp would otherwise send, and a set of push buttons with band labels (160-80-40-30 etc.).  I would consider making such a 3rd party accessory available.