[Elecraft] "Pig knob" thoughts

[Fred Jensen]

I got the Pigknob for a totally different reason than the buttons and 
macros ... my available space is inherently right-handed [built-in desk] 
and I am left-handed.  My KPA500 is too heavy for the simple two-shelf 
rack I have so the K3 is directly above it and on the right.  Old 
shoulder injuries complain when I sit and tune the K3 with elbow on desk 
and hand raised.

Now, Pigknob is on the left of the laptop, next to the paddle, and my 
left arm rests on the desk while tuning the K3 and no pain.  It took 
awhile but I finally figured out a combination of K3 and Pigknob tuning 
rates that works ... PK normally tunes at 10 Hz, pressing the knob gives 
me 50 Hz.  The K3 choices [FINE/COARSE] tune faster for large QSY's.  It 
has really improved my operating enjoyment and I love it.

As for the buttons, one sets split up 5, and one undoes it.  I have six 
blank ones yet to fill.  I also haven't filled all the programmable 
buttons on my P3.  Apparently my creativity index is fairly low.

I heard rumors about an upcoming Pigpad with programmable buttons, and 
like all males of *any* age immediately thought, "Oh -- New Toy!" 
Realistically, I'm not sure what I'd do with it.  My K-Line does what I 
want my radio to do, it does it cleanly and doesn't cause problems for 
nearby hams and, after a little learning, I know how to make it do that.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
- www.cqp.org

On 2/15/2015 11:45 AM, W2BLC wrote:
> I have a Pigknob and find it is most useful. There are 8 buttons and a
> VFO type control. The great part - is no endless arguing on this
> reflector about what should be on the box - the user programs each
> button and the VFO control it to suit his personal needs. No beating
> features into the ground. No over engineering of air castles. Windbag
> experts can desist. Dang, I like simple things that just plain work.