[Elecraft] Split

[Mike Harris]

Hi,

Occasionally DXpeds lose their split setting which causes chaos when 
running a pile. The usual comment is it's a K3 thing.  The question is 
why is it?

I use Logger32 and when I click on a spot whilst in split mode, the K3 
QSYs and split is cancelled.

At first I thought it was because that Config: SPLT SV was NO so I 
changed it to YES but this didn't make any difference.  Certainly I 
could change band and return and split was indeed saved.

Next I put the K3 in split and then entered a frequency in the same band 
in the L32 log entry window, the K3 QSYed and split cancelled.

Next restored split and entered a frequency from the K3 keypad, split 
stayed on.

OK, looked at what was happening on the com port serving the K3.  When 
L32 sends the frequency to the K3 it prefixes it with FR0 which 
according to the programmers reference cancels split mode.  So the 
response of the K3 was to be expected.  A typical example is:

Set Radio Freq/Mode: FR0;00018160000;MD2;FA0018160000;

No idea what other software does in these circumstances.  However, if 
popular DXped software, N1MM or the like does something similar it will 
be easy for a DXped operator to unknowingly and unnoticed cancel split 
and go walkabout whilst tuning the pileup.

Clearly FR0 is a useful command, I use it in an RTTY macro to cancel 
split.  I guess that the L32 development team assume that if you enter a 
QSY you intend to come out of split so include the FR0, reasonable I 
guess for a home operation.  Users of alternative applications might 
wish to conduct the same tests.

The simple answer is better cockpit drill by the DXped operator.  But 
even having set up the correct band/mode/filter/antenna etc it is still 
easy to accidentally cancel split under pressure, it's a K3 thing, is it?

Have I missed something?

Your thoughts please gentlemen,

Mike VP8NO