[Elecraft] New product idea for Elecraft...?

[dyarnes]

Hi All,

I generally am pretty reticent to take issue with my “Tucson Compadre” West, N7WS, as he most often is making very good points.  However, I think he exaggerates a bit (perhaps intentionally) in attributing so much of the split operation error to K3 owners.  There are a lot of us, but not even remotely close to being that many of us!!  I tend to attribute that error, more than anything, to the lost art of “mentoring”.  Too many hams these days have never been effectively schooled in proper/normal operating procedures, and have no clue as to the meaning of the simple term “UP”!  

Admittedly, there have been occasions when I was guilty of the sin mentioned, but only momentarily.  The K3 does have the “delta F” light to warn you, and the display does indicate “split”.  I do wish both were more obvious.  Externally it looks like there might have been sufficient room to make both of those LED’s bigger and brighter.  The “split” indicator on the LCD could be bigger as well!  That would be a very good enhancement.  Is that possible through firmware?

If there is a problem with the K3, I think it can be attributed to the trade-off between rig size and display size.  I, for one, am happy with a smaller piece of gear on my desk, but I must admit that some of the display info is pretty difficult for these old eyes to see clearly.  

I’m inclined to agree with those who don’t feel the K3 requires an inordinate amount of menu accessing.  I think Elecraft did a marvelous job of putting most needed adjustments right on the front panel.  I have had a much bigger problem in this respect with other rig brands.  Of course, the urge to make rigs smaller caused much of this, but even some very big rigs have this problem.  The Ten-Tec Orion II is a good example.  It has a big, beautiful display, and lots of panel space, but still you need to make several button pushes to make very commonly needed changes like power level and keyer speed.  Both of these are instant adjustments on the K3’s front panel.  

Most rigs these days are fairly complex and versatile.  Some are unduly complex or convoluted, but I don’t think that applies to the K3.  However, if you reach for a knob or a button on any of these rigs, you better be paying attention!  I think most operator errors are due to just that, and not to design issues.  If something on your K3 doesn’t sound or act right, take a good, hard look at your display and panel indicators.  The answer is probably right there in front of you!  How many times have we seen a response like ‘Are you on antenna 1 or antenna 2?”

Dave W7AQK






----------------------------------------
From: Wes Stewart <wes_n7ws at triconet.org>

Have you never turned on VOX when you meant to change bands? Or set up VFO A and 
B to split frequencies and then accidentally (and unknowingly) written A to B 
when you tried to turn on Split?? Your Split indicator gives you comfort but 
you're still transmitting on the DX.? Probably half the, "He's split you moron" 
comments in pileups are directed at K3 owners. And don't even get me started 
about memory management.