[Elecraft] Bad Assumptions

Tue Feb 17 09:39:06 EST 2015

I'm going to chime in on this one.

As a somewhat new General Class operator and new KX3 owner, My KX3 has only
been disconnected from the laptop on my desk if I am either not home and
have the laptop and not the radio with me. Other than that it's connected
so that I don't have to enter the frequency, or mode into my Logging
software.  RUMLog offers very little in the arena of rig control, so I do
almost all of my control from the radio. I can double click on a DX Spot
and it will QSY the radio and change the mode but that's it.

The radio that I borrowed from another ham when I first upgraded my license
was an Icom IC-765 that I had no way to interface to the computer.  All of
my logs from those contacts are a generic 14.000 type of frequency... I'm
glad I can interface the KX3 to the computer and get the correct
information...

72,
Joshua Gould
K8WXA
EM89pn

KX3# 7465

On Tue, Feb 17, 2015 at 9:05 AM, <dmoes at nexicom.net> wrote:

>
> I somewhat agree that there is a lower ratio of computer connected users
> than one would think.    Some time ago I asked around the club who had
> computer hookup and who did not.  I then did a presentation on logging
> software  using Logger32. and later with N1MM  this was a few years ago.
>
> My findings were that most did not have the computer connected for CAT
> control.    those that had older rigs didn't,  Id say less than a half with
> newer rigs were connected.  Some using the yeasu DMU  (if that counts as a
> computer)     even some that did digital only had just  the audio
> connections no RS232.  myself included before I had the K3.
>
> For the Contesters the ratio was higher    probably half    Most of our
> contesters are casual  but even a few of the more intense contesters still
> have no RS232 or equivalent connected.   they manually entered the band
> into their software.
>
> Almost all of these members have computers in the shack.     I think in
> some cases is they feel that since they have never had it before they don't
> want it now.  others have said    "the radio has knobs to control it why
> bother with a computer"     some just say "Oh I'm not a computer person and
> don't understand that stuff"       I think there are some misconceptions
> out there   one being that if you hook a radio up to the computer you have
> to control it that way.    I blame HRD for this  as it sure makes it look
> that way even though its still not the case. the other is that its
> complicated and difficult.   Many don't really understand the potential of
> using some level of computer connection.  In my case its very little
> mostly just the information gathering like mode frequency etc  and using
> the band map and Packet cluster feed and being able to just click and
> automatically tune to a new or interesting spot.    Today I think the ratio
> of those that have a connected computer is going up.   I often offer
> assistance in this.
>
> There are only two of us that have K3s  in the club.  I've had mine for
> several years and the other member has only had his for a month or so.  (
> Hi Ken.)  both of us have computer connections.
>
> I would assume however  and yes this is an assumption that since the K3
> is a complex rig that is most often purchased by those that are more than
> just the occasional ham, I suspect that the number of people with RS232
> connections is significantly higher than my findings covering members that
> own a broad range of radio types.  Personally   I couldn't wait to get a
> rig that could be hooked up   the K3s predecessor was a TS430s which cant
> be connected.
>
> For those that have a computer in the shack for logging but don't have the
> serial connection,  give it a try.  It offers allot of conveniences that
> you might not recognize until you use it.  If you are logging with just
> about any half decent logging software it probably will connect  just fine,
> even if just for information gathering.
>
> If you dont have an RS232 port on your computer  you can add either a USB
> to RS232 adapter or better a multi port PCI or PCIE serial adapter,  these
> all can be had for less than $30  and much-much  less if you buy online.
>
>
> David Moes
> VE3DVY
>
>
>  --- Original message ---
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Bad Assumptions
>> From: Al Lorona <alorona at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> Date: Monday, 16/02/2015  8:10 PM
>>
>> There seems to be an almost universal assumption that, if you have a
>> transceiver in the shack, it is connected to a computer full-time.
>>
>> That is certainly not the case. Plenty --perhaps most-- of hams operate
>> their rigs in a standalone mode without computer, even while at home. This
>> may come as a shock to some of you. Exceptions to this rule include while
>> updating firmware.
>>
>> This bad assumption usually rears its head when someone asks, "What's the
>> best way to operate split?" or, "How do you use the CW memories?" and
>> someone immediately responds, "Well I push this here button in my favorite
>> software and everything works great."
>>
>> I'm always frustrated and even a little annoyed by responses like this. A
>> response like this is not answering exactly what was asked. Or at least, it
>> assumes far too much.
>>
>> I recommend that, unless computer control is explicitly mentioned by the
>> original poster, we shouldn't automatically offer a solution that requires
>> a computer to work. Original posters should be more clear about whether a
>> computer can be part of the solution.
>>
>>
>> Al  W6LX
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to dmoes at nexicom.net
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to jg.k8wxa at gmail.com
>