[Elecraft] SideKar vs PX3

Wed Sep 9 10:00:44 EDT 2015

AFAIK based on reading the SideKar site it's just reporting what the Kline radio is giving it already decoded. $250 is a bit much when you think about what the box does. Seems to me you could build up a RaspberryPi solution to do the same thing with a few tweaks for under $100 AND have something that's easily re-purposed..etc. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ray Sills
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2015 9:02 AM
To: Phil Wheeler
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SideKar vs PX3

Hi Gang:

I do not have a SideKar, but I do have a Ham Central Terminal, which has a lot of the same features as the SideKar.
I also have a NUE-PSK modem.  The big feature the HCT (and SideKar) bring to the plate is the logging capability, along with ADIF exporting.  The connection to your rig (FT-817, KX3, etc) permits the SideKar to poll the rig for data like mode, band, (frequency), time.. so you log will have useful data.  So, the SideKar is helpful in a contest situation, or for SOTA and similar activities.  It’s also lightweight and can be self-powered.

The NUE-PSK modem is a generic device, in that it can be used with almost any rig, and it will decode CW, PSK, RTTY, and may offer additional modes.  It’s compact and can be updated to include a USB interface, which permits easy firmware updates and the ability to save all received the sent text.  That’s not logging, but you can view the generated text file to look back on your activity.  

So each has it’s value (which is why I have both).  And, both are quite QRP, unlike most laptop/computer based systems.

73 de Ray
K2ULR

> On Sep 9, 2015, at 12:19 AM, Phil Wheeler <w7ox at socal.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> I use an NUE-PSK, which has it's own decoding (for PSK31 and CW), a keyer, etc.  It's a bit of an oddball I reckon, but perhaps that's why I like it.
> 
> 73, Phil W7OX
> 
> On 9/8/15 8:39 PM, Shel Radin wrote:
>> Steve,
>> 
>> One important thing to me and the way I use the KX3 is that with the SideKar,  you don't need a PC,  laptop,  tablet,  etc.   It's self contained.
>> 
>> So for portable operation,  it's lighter (5 oz) and smaller than bringing something else along.  And it's sunlight readable.   It has a transflective display,  like the KX3.
>> 
>> Ho Ho Ho...
>> 
>> 73,
>> 
>> Shel KF0UR
>> 
>> 
>> On September 8, 2015 7:46:31 PM MDT, Stephen Shearer <sm.shearer.01 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Thank you for the info.
>>> 
>>> I am still thinking about SideKar.
>>> 
>>> 1) cost - it may need to be a Christmas gift - it exceeds my max per 
>>> item spending limit without approval.
>>> 
>>> 2) Elecraft - what are they "going" to do with the keyboard on the 
>>> PX3 and more important, SideKar is stuck with the DSP decode method 
>>> from Elecraft, too.  Fldigi has its own processing AND includes AFC.  
>>> As pointed out by someone else, the Elecraft DSP does not have AFC 
>>> to track
>>> psk31 (needed) or RTTY (not needed as much with wider signal).  SO, 
>>> SideKar is stuck with a good display/logging system but stuck with 
>>> ok decoding.  CW, why does the Elecraft DSP need a threshold level?  
>>> For example MRP40 has AGC and AFC, why not Elecraft?  This limits 
>>> SideKar over fldigi and has made me think about my direction.  For 
>>> now, fldigi has better decoding.  "you", SideKar, should push 
>>> Elecraft to improve its DSP decode of CW/psk31/rtty...  I don't 
>>> expect "you" to have the DSP answers, either...  Minus six for 
>>> Elecraft (afc+agc*kx3+k3+ks3)=6...
>>> 
>>> 3) Elecraft has never said anything about a logging function with 
>>> the
>>> pX3 keyboard option, either. Plus one for SideKar.
>>> 
>>> Christmas isn't that far off and SideKar is still an option even 
>>> with the shaky decode issues.
>>> 
>>> 73, steve WB3LGC
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 08-Sep-15 6:42 PM, Shel Radin KF0UR wrote:
>>>> Steve,
>>>> 
>>>> With the SideKar, you only have to enter the call once.  Then it's
>>> used in
>>>> all messages and the log as well.  And if it's there, the log will 
>>>> automatically position you in the Exchange field, as that's the 
>>>> only
>>> field
>>>> you need to enter (by paddle or keyboard).
>>>> 
>>>> 73,
>>>> 
>>>> Shel KF0UR
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
> 
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