[Elecraft] Bad Memories

[Wes (N7WS)]

Don's post brings up another pet peeve about K3 ergonomics; memory (mis)management.

The K3 manual states:

"The K3 has 100 general-purpose memories (00-99),
plus per-band memories (M1-M4 on each band).
Each memory holds VFO A and B frequencies,
modes, filter presets, antenna selection, and other
settings."

It goes on to say:

"Memories 00-09 are quick memories, accessible
with just two switch taps. These could be used to
get to a starting point in each of 10 ham bands.."

Unfortunately, that's simply not true.  For example, I have used the K3 Memory 
Editor to set M05 to 14.0MHz CW.  I have some other memories set up to receive 
WWV.  One of them, M13 is set to 15.0 MHz, AM.  If I select M13 I will get 15 
MHz, AM.  However, if I then select M05 I still get 15 MHz AM, not 14.0 CW as 
expected. Since 15 MHz is still on the same "band" (20M), the K3 thinks it's 
done and doesn't recall 14 MHz and/or CW.

If one stores something in a memory, one expects to get that stuff back when 
that memory is recalled.  One would be wrong.  I expect, based on use of other, 
more friendly transceivers to recall *exactly* what I saved.  Freq, mode, filter 
settings, antenna, etc.  Not so with the K3, despite what the manual states.

One last example.  I use M1-M4 to set CW, SSB, Data A, AFSK A respectively.  I 
have 400 Hz, 2.8 KHz and 6 KHz filters.  The K3 thinks it knows best and selects 
the 400 Hz filter for Data A, even though I use that for PSK-31 and like to 
start in a wider BW.  So, M3 and M4 have 400 Hz "saved."  If I recall M3 to work 
some PSK and I widen the BW to 2 KHz but then decide to work some RTTY instead, 
when I recall M4 I discover that the previously stored (default) 400 Hz has been 
ignored.  The BW is still 2 KHz.

Exasperating.

Wes  N7WS


On 4/29/2014 4:28 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> [snip]
>
> I might suggest that you set up the K3 "Quick Memories" to accomplish easy and 
> quick band changes.  That is much better IMHO than using the Band+ and Band- 
> buttons.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>