[Elecraft] [K3] Utility Program and code practice

[Doug Turnbull]

Hi All,

      I have just discovered a new use for the K3 Utility Terminal program.
The memory may seem small when you look at it on the VDU as it displays one
line but in fact the memory is very large.  The line goes on and on.  Whole
paragraphs can easily be entered and stored.   Then one can send them as
code practice text in perfect Morse.   Thus as the ARRL does you could agree
on a given article in a popular radio magazine and then send the text
paragraph by paragraph using the sixteen memories.   I suspect you can place
more than a single paragraph into a memory but this is what I have done with
a local ham who is getting ready to do his Morse test in order to obtain an
A license in EI land.   The only drawback is that the material can not be
transmitted at slower than 8 WPM by the K3.    One wants some margin when
taking the test.

 

       You might say send it by hand with a straight key but if one is not
used to 5 WPM this is fraught with its own difficulties.   I normally
operate around 22 WPM and some of you might tell me that I should go back
and practice some more but putting this aside the K3 Utility is proving most
helpful.   For that matter one can load memories up with text and send it to
your self for home practice.

 

         Yes the ARRL site has good code practice facilities and there are
many other sites that do as well but this is yet another use for the K3
Utility.   I was surprised at just how much information each memory can
hold.

 

             73 Doug EI2CN