[Elecraft] K-Pod LEDs and AUX outputs can now be controlled from macros -- looking for testers

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi all,

We have new field-test firmware ready that gives the K-Pod user full control over the unit's 4 LEDs and 3 AUX outputs. If you have a K-Pod and would like to test this capability, please email me directly. You'll new to install new firmware on your K-Pod and K3. See detailed information below.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


* * *

Details:

The new firmware allows K-Pod LEDs and AUX outputs to be controlled directly by commands embedded in K3 macros (command sequences). These macros are created using K3 Utility and sent to the radio. This is a very flexible and convenient technique, since K3 macros are already used to customize K-Pod switches for radio control. 

Two new commands are now available that directly control the K-Pod:

   KPOUTnON|OFF;     (where <n> is 1-3)

   KPLEDnON|OFF;     (where <n> is 1-4 or 'R' for rocker switch LED D1-D3 control enable/disable)

The above commands can be added to any K3 switch macro to control K-Pod resources.


Example #1: K-Pod switch F1 controls AUX output 1, with state indicated by LED D4

This might be used to control an external antenna switch, amplifier, transverter, etc. Two switch functions are assigned: F1-TAP to turn AUX output #1 on, and F1-HOLD to turn it off. As discussed in the K-Pod owner's manual, K3 macros 9-16 correspond to K-Pod switch F1-F8 tap, and K3 macros 1-8 correspond to K-Pod switch F1-F8 hold. So in this case we need to set up macro 9 (F1-TAP) and macro 1 (F1-HOLD):

   Macro 9:     KPOUT1ON;KPLED4ON;      

   Macro 1:     KPOUT1OFF;KPLED4OFF;    

When a K-Pod AUX output is "ON", it acts as a contact closure to ground that can be used to turn on a relay, etc. When "OFF", it is high-impedanced. Refer to the K-Pod owner's manual for voltage and current limits.


Example #2: K-Pod switches F1 and F2 control RIT, with state indicated by LED D4

K-Pod LED and AUX out commands can be combined with any other K3 commands. In this example, we use F1-TAP to turn RIT ON and F2-TAP to turn RIT OFF, and use LED D4 to show RIT on/off state:

   Macro 9:     RT1;KPLED4ON;

   Macro 10:    RT0;KPLED4OFF;


Example #3: Overriding rocker switch control of LEDs D1/D2/D3

By default, the K-Pod rocker switch's position is indicated by LEDs D1 (VFO A), D2 (VFO B), and D3 (RIT/XIT offset). It is possible to override this so you can use D1/D2/D3 for your own purposes. As with other K-Pod LED controls, you do this by adding a K-Pod command to a K3 macro. 

The command to override rocker switch D1-D3 control is:

   KPLEDROFF;   ('R' = Rocker switch)

You only need to send this command to the K3 once, since the K3 remembers the states of all K-Pod LED and AUX output controls across power-down/up cycles. However, you can put this command in every macro if you wish -- it won't cause any problems.

Once you've overridden the rocker switch's control of D1 through D3, you can use individual LED control commands for these, such as:

   KPLED1ON;
   KPLED2OFF;

LEDs D1-D3 are all either controlled by the rocker switch or by the user; you can't break them up for individual control.

To restore control of LEDs D1-D3 to the rocker switch, send the command:

   KPLEDRON;


NOTE: K-Pod LED and AUX output commands executed directly from the K3 Utility "Command Tester" can take up to 2 seconds to be reflected at the K-Pod. But when these commands are embedded in macros and are executed by tapping K-Pod switches, they normally take only 200 milliseconds to complete. To ensure this, we recommend always putting K-Pod commands at the beginning of macros rather than at the end. This way, the K-Pod will be updated quickly even if the radio itself is busy doing a band change or other lengthy operation.

There are many other possibilities beyond those shown above. Nearly any radio feature can now be controlled from the K-Pod, and have its state reflected in a K-Pod LED and/or AUX output. It is even possible to write self-modifying macros that allow a single switch to alternately turn a function on and off. 

Please share your K-Pod macro ideas with the group.