[Elecraft] Skimmer and the K3S

[Luis V. Romero]

Peter W2IRT et. al.

In the words of the Immortal Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery Scott of Star Fleet:

"The more complex they make the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the
drain."

Flex's are nice, they do nice things.  My lowly K3/KPA500/KAT500/P3 station
integrates just fine with anything I have here:  It works in a SO2R
environment with my secondary TS590s managed by microHAM u2R and two
microKEYERs Via N1MMPlus Logger. Radio selection and Antenna switching is a
one button push operation from N1MMPlus.  When I use an amp (which I usually
don't when doing SO2R), its integrated into my computer screen via the
Elecraft KPA Remote application.  My antenna tuner is also displayed on the
screen via the KAT remote application.  I have a programmable keyboard with
a "Jog Knob" that allows me to tune the VFO on EITHER radio from the
keyboard. N1MMPlus allows me to remotely select filters from the keyboard.
My keyboard memory macros allow multiple button pushes and setting changes
with a single selection. I can automatically clear RIT every time I log a
QSO.  I can tune RIT right from the keyboard and tune the rig from the Jog
Knob for S&P operation.  I can turn on the KRX3 and set splits or diversity
receive all with a single button push of my keyboard macro memory. 

The only thing I currently cannot do is mouse on a peak in the P3 and click
to go there.  Working on that.

All of this with a radio and PC I purchased in 2006.  The system will be 10
years old next month. 

Flex was not ready when I was looking.  They have come a long way.  Craig
K9CT has Maestro in his station.  I'm sure it will be developed more and
more as he and his ops beat on it.  

I'm sure more things are to come from Eric and Wayne.  Time will tell.  

But what I have is simple, competitive, reliable and has been, for 10 years
now.  And I'm not totally dependent on a computer platform. 

I'm not that great of an op.  I'm also antenna challenged here in the middle
of the city.  But I win my share. And I credit my K3 station for a lot of
this success.

Lu Romero - W4LT
Tampa, FL (ARRL WCF Section)
K-Line - Tribander at 40 feet - 2 Half waves in phase for 40 - Vertical
Dipole for 40m/Diversity receive
#1 SOLP Unlimited - Sweepstakes SSB 2016