[Elecraft] Fldigi/Flrig and KX3 control investigation. (Before I re-invent the wheel!)

[g8kbvdave at googlemail.com]

Hi All.

Before I dive in, and go about creating or fixing drivers for people 
who seem to have trouble with the KX3 and Fldigi(Flrig) etc, I took 
a look at the current state of things.

On Windows (XP SP3) with Fldigi (V3.21.70, the *Latest* is 3.21.72)

The built in Hamlib driver (V1.2.12) for the K3 works as far as I 
can tell (A plesant suprise, no audio connections, and no RF 
launched, just basic rig control tried.)  Even the PTT via Hamlib 
command worked, as did tuning and frequency control, also mode 
changing but you need to select PKTUSB to get the rig into DATA A 
mode.

I also tried on Linux (Lubuntu with Fldigi and Flrig.)  That machine 
has a later version of Hamlib (V1.2.15) also the needed driver is 
listed as "K3/KX3 Beta", not just "K3".  Again, as it is, it all 
seems to work at present, no code changing done at all.

The K3 selection in Flrig works the KX3 too, PTT control, mode and 
bandwidth settings seem to work OK.

I've not yet tried the K3.XML file, I ran out of time, but that is 
next.

However, AFICT, basic rig control of the KX3 is already do-able from 
Fldigi and Flrig, with what is there already, Windows and Linux.

I was using a standard KXUSB cable, that created a COM3: alias on 
the Windows machine, and ttyUSB0 on the Lubuntu machine.  The serial 
data rate was 19200bd, 1 stop bit in both cases.

I will check things later when I get home (domestic management 
permitting) on Win7 (Home Premium, 32 bit) if the place hasn't been 
washed away in the storms, or suffered a direct lightening zap.

More news when I have it, otherwise..  Enjoy it as it is now!.

73.

Dave G0WBX.