[Elecraft] K3 - rig control with a Pigknob

[Fred Jensen]

On 6/28/2014 8:27 AM, Vic, K2VCO wrote:
> A couple of things I've wondered about:
>
> 1) Can you load firmware while the device is connected?

Yes ... to the PK [macros] and K3/P3 [firmware et al].  It comes with a 
little circuit card, mine just hangs behind the P3 in the not-wireless 
region of my wireless, and does a pass-thru on the serial cable.

> 2) Are there any issues if a P3 is daisy-chained?

If there are, I haven't encountered them.

The PK encoder is "tappable," selects one of two CW/CCW macro pairs 
which are typically up/down macros for the K3.  I played around with the 
several K3 settings that control the VFO tuning rates and [after most of 
the afternoon, it's either complex or I made it complex], I get two 
rates on the PK ... 1 Hz and 10 Hz ... and three faster rates on the K3 
Big Knob for quick QSY.

Been thinking about having the PK control both VFO's for when working 
split but haven't decided yet, I'm somewhat change-averse.

I program the PK with Foxterm but any plain ASCII terminal program works 
fine.  Several $$$$ characters puts the PK into programming mode.  The 8 
buttons are OK, I've found uses for 5 -- not a big macro fan, too old I 
guess.  Two big PK benefits for me -- #1: I'm left-handed, radio is on 
the right of the laptop [sort of has to be], so I get to tune left now. 
  #2:  K3 is on shelf over KPA500, extended tuning with my hand/arm 
raised on the knob aggravates ancient shoulder injuries.  Now, I tune 
with my arm on the desk, no cramps during WPX.

No financial or other interest blah blah blah, Nick is very good about 
customer support.  There were rumors awhile back that he had a "Pigpad" 
in the works, some number of programmable buttons.  Haven't heard any 
more about it.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org