[Elecraft] Macro Library Repository and K3/K3S/KX3 Utility Programs

[Barry N1EU]

Since macros are only text files, I personally have no need of fancy
functionality in a library or utility.  The current Elecraft K3 utility
works beautifully.

So for me, a simple Web site (or shared Google doc) listing macro examples
is all the functionality that I think is needed.

73, Barry N1EU

On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 12:17 PM, Phil Hystad <phystad at mac.com> wrote:

> The recent comments regarding Wayne’s new Noise Blanker experiment
> reminded me of something I wanted to suggest awhile back but forgot all
> about it.
>
> This has to do with Macros and command sequences used to program or alter
> some specific setting in a temporary (maybe) way.  Many of these are posted
> here as well as found on some web sites including Elecraft.
>
> But, there is something missing that would be nice.  And, that is a
> documented library hosted on Elecraft’s web site as well as a utility
> program feature to automatically download and manage the macro programs.
>
> As a library, the documentation should be embedded in the Macro file
> itself per a standard format that declares the purpose (brief abstract),
> more detailed user instructions, and any known side effects.  Also,
> author’s name and date and maybe a revision history.
>
> The utility programs would include a new feature to download (maybe
> abstracts or complete macro file) and list available macro programs
> displaying the brief abstract on the display.  The utility program would
> allow the user to select macros for download that copy them to a known
> location on the user’s computer managed by the utility program.  Also, this
> new feature set would support the loading of the macro to the K3/K3S/KX3.
> Actually, a very nice “extra” would be to undo the macro act.  Of course,
> this could get complicated since a Macro can do anything and many things
> that should not be done.  But, one way to undo is to automatically save and
> then allow restoration of the rig settings, say in some kind of test mode.
> Of course, this could be done by the user but it might be faster to do it
> as part of a test sequence supported by the utility program.
>
> It seems like the only complicate part of this process is setting up a
> repository and managing it in a way that ensures the integrity of the
> standards: documentation, layout, and anything else.  The enhancements to
> the utility programs do not seem to be all that hard to do (I am a retired
> programmer of about 50 years programming experience).
>
> There could be a network of volunteers that accept the new macros to be
> included and they test and vet those macros per the definition of purpose
> and the standards set forth for this repository.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
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