[Elecraft] K3: External Macro Launcher

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Genovation (www.genovation.com) has several programmable keypads in
three broad categories:

A) the USB HID series that becomes a Windows or Mac keyboard
    recognized by the operating system.  These would require custom
    software to capture the specific keyboard/keypad and forward the
    macro strings to a specific serial port or USBtty device in
    coordination with any logging/serial control software.

B) the USB Virtual Serial devices.  These create a virtual serial
    port on the computer that would need to be coordinated with any
    logging/serial control software - typically be means of a port
    sharing driver (e.g. VSPE or equivalent).

C) the RS-232 devices.  These are a simple serial keypad that could
    be connected directly to the "PC" port of a K3 or P3 if no computer
    was in use or connected in parallel using a passive port splitter
    like the one from BackBox (a diode matrix).  The RS-232 devices
    can also be connected to a computer serial port and coordinated
    with logging/serial control software bu means of port sharing
    software.

The 24 button keypads seem to be available in the $85 - $100 price
range depending on distributor.  Check the "distributors" list on
the Genovation web site.   The HID versions seem to be available from
the larger office supply stores and Amazon.

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV


On 2015-02-20 10:51 AM, David Cole wrote:
> Hello,
>
> A bit ago, there was a discussion about an external macro tablet, that
> could be connected to the K3.  This looked very interesting to me, and I
> think I want one...  This brings up two questions.
>
> 1.  Any suggestions for one at a good price.
> 2.  How EXACTLY does it connect to a K3 with a P3 and a computer
> connected?
>
>