[Elecraft] Win4K3Suite Feedback

[Doug Ellmore]

Last night I installed a new release of Win4K3 Suite (http://va2fsq.com/).
I installed two separate setups. One interfacing a K3 (interfaced to a i7
16GB RAM Laptop running Win8.1 Pro) and the other a KX3 (interface to a AMD
64 with 4GB desktop running Win8.1).  Both radios had the most recent
Elecraft updates.  An example desktop image is at my web site:

http://ellmore.net/na1dx/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/desktop-na1dx-10-23-2014-example.jpg

To support additional virtual com port management, I used the recommended
release of com0com:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/com0com/files/com0com/2.2.2.0/

On the desktop I have HRD Log and HRD Rotor, Win4K3 Suite, and NAP3 4.x
running.

For sometime I have been using with my K3 and KX3 with a number of software
products for dxing and contesting:

   - Ham Radio Deluxe 6.x - dxing and log management
   - LPBridge - for virtual com ports
   - NAP3 v4.x - for Panadapter, with Spots displayed and conversational
cw/psk/rtty
   - N1MM for contesting
   - CW Skimmer - for finding and work DX and Contest stations
   - FLDIGI - contest grade digital mode with N1mm
   - WinTelnetX (to handle multi dx clusters)


Win4KSuite replaces HRD's radio controller and server HamRadioDeluxe
application, so you can just run HRD's HRDLogbook application, which
interfaced really well with Win4K3Suite.

QSY from spots from HRD Log or the ClubLog spots from within Win4K3 Suite
were quick.  I was able to test the Win4K3 scope and NAP3 v4.x at the same
time.  I use an LP Pan interface in my K3 configuration.  I use Steinberg
UR22 USB 192kz external sound cards with ASIO drivers for both my K3 and
KX3 home QTH configurations.  When operating remote at the beach, etc., I
usually just use the built in sound card of my laptop with my KX3.  I
really like the radio interface controls with the windows of Win4K3 Suite.
You can have a big radio window or a smaller radio window with multiple
tabs to access all the controls.  The controls are intuitive and well laid
out.

Tom Blahovici is the creator.  I have to give him a "high five" for the
product at this point.  I like the SDR features accessible via the
software, but I also like radios with knobs!  Tom's software and Elecraft
give us good integration both.

My next step is do start testing Win4K3 Suite this weekend with N1MM+.
Over the next few weeks, I will get into testing with CW Skimmer, FLdigi
and WinTelnet X.

73 de NA1DX
Doug Ellmore
doug at ellmore.net