[Elecraft] Bad Assumptions

[Jim Brown]

On Mon,2/16/2015 5:10 PM, Al Lorona wrote:
> Plenty --perhaps most-- of hams operate their rigs in a standalone mode without computer, even while at home.

Interesting observation.  Because contesters have been such a large part 
of the K3 customer base, our needs and habits tend to be considered "the 
norm." While it's certainly true that many (most?) casual operators 
don't use computer control, I'd also bet that those casual ops are not a 
majority of the K3 user base.

After a long period (15+ years) of inactivity, I got back on the air in 
2003. That happened on Field Day at a club I visited, and they used 
Writelog with a serial port to their radios.  The last time I'd 
contested was 20 years before, with paper logs and dupe sheets. :)

A few weeks later, I was back on the air at home.  I logged on paper for 
a week or two, but I soon learned about DXKeeper, and an older Thinkpad 
that I'd replaced in my small business found a permanent home in the 
shack. I also bought WriteLog, and needed the computer connection.

At least one computer has been in my shack ever since.  Eventually I 
started using Commander, the control software that goes with DXKeeper to 
read the rig frequency and mode and put it in the log. Then, when LOTW 
and eQSL came along, it became very easy to upload my entire post-2003 
logs.

Most hams who are not contesters have computers hooked up to their rigs 
when they want to operate digital modes, but they may or may not use a 
serial port for rig control. DXers often use CW Skimmer, which needs rig 
control.

73, Jim K9YC