[Elecraft] Pig Knob

[Fred Jensen]

OK, I promised I would post my results so here they are.

It works, out of the box.  I'm still on the default button settings 
although I did change the fast settings for the knob and it is great. 
Big problem for me is what to program into the buttons.  The programming 
is easy, the *what,* not so much.  For the record, I'm a K3, no second 
receiver.

Having a knob on the desk is really nice.  My operating position is a 
bit cramped.  I have a small shelf, KPA500, paddle, and bug on the desk, 
K3 and P3 above, maybe 2" [6cm] above it, and KAT500 and FT-847 on top. 
  This results in my right hand elevated to operate the K3 Big Knob, 
which in contests leads to shoulder fatigue [shoulder got pretty 
seriously fatigued 40+ years ago, not fun now].  And, unfortunately, 
while I'm left-handed, this is some built-in furniture and sort of 
right-ish.

While, like most lefties, I've adapted to the Tyranny of the Majority, 
:-)  I think I may be able to reposition some of the gear a little and 
get the PK over to the left of the laptop, which would be sooo cool! 
Control my radio from left or right!

So far, I've had no problem with the PK moving around on the desk.  I 
tend to grip it when punching the buttons, although at this point I 
don't have any of them programmed for what I want so I don't do that much.

The knob has two dimples, not sure why, I might be missing something 
here, but it is exactly at the right height for my hand.  I got what I 
was looking for with the Pig Knob, I may have gotten much more after I 
integrate it into my operating regime.  Had the same integration issues 
when I got the P3.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org