[Elecraft] K3 Macros in memory

Tue Jan 1 11:20:14 EST 2013

Jan -KX2A,
   I posted the macro info below many months ago. It might help you and others that want to create macros for use with a K3 or KX3. After you become familiar with creating and using macros to more easily set up your K3, check out the Elecraft archives for a posting I made regarding assigning multiple macros to a single button. I use one to set my K3's power output to either 10W (drives my 6M amp), 50W (PSK31 and other digital modes) and 100W (for normal HF use). A second multi-macro sets up my K3 for CW, SSB, RTTY or DATA modes. 

If you can't find the old post and you are interested in the one-button multi-macros, drop me an email.

73,
Rich - K1HTV

K3 MACROs & info on how to use them.
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The K3 Utility is used to create K3 macros and easily upload them to the K3 via one of your computer COM ports. If you haven't yet downloaded and installed the 'K3 Utility' software you can find the Windows version at the Elecraft website:

http://www.elecraft.com/K3/software/K3_Utility_Setup_1_12_12_17.exe

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With the K3 turned on and connected to your PC via one of its COM ports, start the "K3 Utility". 

Tap the "Port" tab and use the pulldown menu to select the COM port to be used. 

Clicking on "Test Communications" should produce a "K3 Status" box which indicates that the "K3 Utility" is talking to the K3 via the selected COM port at the selected baud rate in the K3 CONFIG "RS232" menu option.

Click on the "Command Tester/K3 Macros" tab then click the "Edit Macros" box.
To start, you can cut and paste a macro label and its associated macro from some of the samples below.

Here are some K3 macros which can be used to easily change K3 modes and parameters. The first line describes what is being changed or switched to. The 2nd line contains the macro label (up to 7 characters) plus the actual macro. Don't forget the semicolon between commands and at the end of the macro. Refer to the PDF document "K3 & KX3 Programmer's Reference Manual" (see URL at the end of this post) for more details on how to create other macros to quickly configure the K3 the way you want it for particular operational needs.

1 - USB mode - USB mode, Unlock, FP [Front Panel Mic-In], Mic gain=26, BW=2.5KHz, Compress=020, Pwr=100W, Menu
    USB - MD2;LK0;MN053;DN;DN;MG026;BW0250;CP020;PC100;MN255;

2 - CW mode - CW mode, Unlock, CW-Rev, BW=400Hz, Pwr=100W, Menu
    CW - MD3;LK0;SWH17;BW0040;PC100;MN255;

3 - PSK31 mode - DATA mode, Data-A, Line-In (use Mic pot to set level),  2.5KHz, Lock, Pwr=50W, Menu
    PSK31 - MD6;DT0;MN053;UP;UP;BW0250;LK1;PC050;MN255;

** If you use the Front Panel Mic-In instead of the Line-In use:
3 - PSK31 mode - Data mode, Data-A, FP Mic-In, Mic Gain 4(set to proper level), 2.5KHz, Lock, Pwr=50W, Menu
    PSK31 - MD6;DT0;MN053;DN;DN;MG004;BW0250;LK1;PC050;MN255;

4 - RTTY mode - Data mode, Data-FSK, B=500Hz, Unlock, Pwr=80W, Menu
    RTTY - MD6;DT2;MN053;DN;DN;BW0050;LK0;PC080;MN255;

5 - 6M-WSJT mode - VFO-A=50260, VFO-B=50125, DATA mode, DATA-A, Line-In, BW=2.5KHz, Unlock, Pwr=80W, Menu
    6M-WSJT  -  FA00050260000;FB00050125000;MD6;MN053;UP;UP;BW0250;LK0;PC080;MN255;

** If you use the Front Panel Mic-In instead of the Line-In use:
5 - 6M-WSJT - VFO-A=50260, DATA mode, DATA-A, FP Mic-In,Mic Gain 4 (set to proper level), BW=2.5KHz, Unlock, Pwr=80W, Menu
    6M-WSJT - FA00050260000;MD6;MN053;DN;DN;MG004;BW0250;LK0;PC080;MN255;

6 - 6M-USB mode- VFO-A=50125, copy VFO-A to VFO-B, USB mode, FP Mic-In, Compress=20, Mic Gain=26, BW=2.5KHz, Unlock, Pwr=100W, Menu
    6M-USB - FA00050125000;SWT13;SWT13;MD2;MN053;DN;DN;CP020;MG026;BW0250;LK0;PC100;MN255;

7 - 30M WSPR - Data Mode, 10138.700 KHz (30M WSPR freq.), DATA-A, BW=2.5KHz, Lock, Power=5W, Menu (Macro sets up WSPR on 30M)
    30WSPR  -  MD6;DT0;FA00010138700;MN053;UP;UP;BW0250;LK1;PC005;MN255;			 

8 - (This macro is used to set up the K3 for the WSPR mode and is used after changing the K3 to another band. The WSPR software actually changes the K3 to the proper frequency for that band.)
    WSPR  - Data Mode, DATA-A, BW=2.5KHz, Lock, Power=5W, Menu 
    WSPR - MD6;DT0;MN053;UP;UP;BW0250;LK1;PC001;MN255;	

After you finish entering macros into the "K3 Utility", before you upload them to the K3, click on the "SAVE" box. You should see two sets of 8 boxes with macro labels that you entered. Each macro can be tested by clicking on the desired macro box. After you are satisfied with the macros performance, you can move them to the K3 by clicking on "Edit Macro", then clicking on "Write Macros 1-8 to K3".

An additional 8 macros can be saved in the "K3 Utility"  under the "Additional Macros" tab, but only 8 can be transferred to and stored in the K3. You can also transfer macros already in the K3 into the K3 Utility.

Once macros are stored in the K3 memories, they can be assigned to the M1 through M4 buttons (tap or hold) as well as the PF1 and PF2 buttons (hold only). Remember that if you store a macro in one of the M1-4 memories (either Tap or Hold) you will erase what CW or voice messages might be recorded in that memory. 

To assign a macro stored in one of the 8 K3 macro memories to one of the M1-4 or PF1/2 buttons:
Hold the "Menu" button to get to the CONFIG menu.
Turn VFO "B" dial until you see "Macro" on the K3's LCD screen.
Select the desired macro from one of the 8 K3 macro memories by tapping one of the 1 thru 8 keypad buttons. 
Next, assign the chosen macro to one of the M1-4 by next tapping or holding one of the M1-4 buttons.
Four macros can be stored using the K3 M-1 thru M-4 buttons (tap)
Four macros can be stored using the K3 M-1 thru M-4 buttons (Hold)
Macros can also be stored using the PF1 and PF2 buttons (hold only)

To store a macro in the PF1 memory hold 'PF1' (RIT) button until
'PF1 SET' is seen on the screen. The same can be done with 'PF2'.

Don't forget to select a different macro memory location using the 1-8 keypad buttons
before storing macros in a different memory (M-1 thru M-4) or PF buttons.

When finished storing macros, before trying to use them, exit by 
tapping the 'MENU' button.

To use a macro, simply tap or hold one of the M1-4 or PF1/PF2 buttons.

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There are a few more K3 macros at:
http://www.ke7x.com/home/k3-macros

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You can learn more about using macros with the K3 & KX3 by downloading and printing the "K3 & KX3 Programmer's Reference" PDF file at:

http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3&KX3%20Pgmrs%20Ref,%20E2.pdf

Have fun with macros. They can really speed up set time for various radio configurations needed for your operational needs.

73,
Rich - K1HTV