[Elecraft] K3: K-pod uses

[Don Butler]

I think each operator has his/her own reason(s) for wanting a KPod . and
it's likely that those reasons will vary considerably.  In my case, I want
it for DXing.   I'm a serious DXer .. And am in hog heaven when I'm trying
to break one of those huge major DXpedition pileups .. Not the little
pileups . but a big one when there are so many callers that I really don't
expect to get through .. And, you know, with the DX station's listening
range at 20 khz or more.   Yes, it is true that I do not really need a
K3/KPod to accomplish that .. It can also be done with my 40 year old TS520S
/remote VFO .. Or with any of umpteen other transceivers for that matter.
But it's more fun and lots easier to accomplish with all the right equipment
. which, in my book, includes a  subreceiver equipped K3 or K3S, a P3 .. A
1500 watt amp (sorry Elecraft I prefer my robust Alpha 1500 watt amp) .. And
now I'm adding the KPod to that mix.  To me, the VFO B knob has always been
a major weakness of the K3 .. It doesn't spin so it doesn't have a "spin
dimple" . it's small .. It's clunky when compared to second VFO knobs on
most other high end transceivers . but of course the small size of the K3,
which is also a significant virtue, is the limiting factor here . I have
never been fond of the K3's small VFO B knob . but . the new KPod has now
solved that problem.

I do have my 16 KPod function buttons programmed like everyone else ..
with a few macros and several more simple single command functions just so
they'll be near my hand . but the one I'll be using most is just a simple F8
tap to transmit my callsign (CW or SSB) to crack those big pileups.  I'll be
using the KPod knob to tune through the pileup trying to figure the DX's
listening pattern .... and will finally be able to spin the knob  when
necessary . and when the time is right I'll be tapping that F8 button to
send my callsign.

Now . if we only had some DXpeditionp pileups to bust.. Looks pretty bleak
on the near horizon in that regard.

Don, N5LZ

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don
Wilhelm
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 9:19 AM
To: KC2NYU; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: K-pod uses

Paul,

If you are completely comfortable with mouse tuning and Win4K3, then you may
not find any advantage for the K-Pod.
I do not like mouse tuning, and am more comfortable with a tuning knob.
Having the knob next to the keyboard is especially nice if you are mainly
using the keyboard - you do not have to move very far from the keyboard to
get to the knob.  The K-Pod can be placed either to the left or right of the
keyboard.
The buttons on the K-Pod can activate up to 16 K3 macros.  K3 Utility now
allows 16 macros to be created/edited and stored in the K3.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/13/2016 11:07 AM, KC2NYU via Elecraft wrote:
> I am trying to decide on ordering the K-Pod but struggling to sort out 
> the possible overlap between the K-Pod, and using a Genovation keypad 
> or a software suite like Win4K3. Using the keypad in conjunction with 
> a P3 allows me to activate many macros with the touch of one key. I 
> also can program many macros in Win4K3 as well as perform almost any 
> K3 button or knob function and change the VFO's with the touch of a mouse.
>

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