[Elecraft] Retiring my MK-II

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2018-10-29 1:57 PM, Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) wrote:

> Can I transmit and receive CW, SSB, two-VFO RTTY, FT-8 and other 
> digimodes, .WAV file sequencing, firmware uploads, and CAT control 
> to/from the K3s using mostly just the single USB cable and the 
> physical connection to my paddles? I want to implement a KISS 
> solution **IF** it can be done. 

The answer to the question in the first line in yes.  However, when
you add the additional qualifier that it must be a KISS solution
the answer becomes no.

Simply put, in order to meet your specifications with *multiple*
applications (I know you use N1MM+, DXLab Suite, WSJT-X and MMTTY at
least), you *must* study the various manuals/help files and spend
a significant amount of time configuring each piece of software
to properly relate to the transceiver *and* study the transceiver
Owner's Manual to in order to figure out how to configure the
transceiver for the specific requirements of each application
(as well as vice versa).

For example, with DXLab Suite (WinWarbler) you need to understand
how to integrate transceiver commands with your wave files to switch
the audio input from mic to sound card and back with each wave file
*or* configure the transceiver to enable *both* mic and Line inputs
(and accept issues of noise from the "inactive" input).

> Otherwise I'll just keep the MK-II in line since it's a known-valid
> configuration, albeit one I don't particularly like (no offense,
> Joe).

You now know one of the guiding principles of microHAM's design for
the last 20 years.  The microHAM hardware/software is designed to
handle all the configuration issues ... it is intended to utilize
each supported transceiver in the manufacturer's stock/recommended
configuration and handle changes in input/output, etc. based on the
mode reported by the CAT interface, TX/RX status and source of PTT.


73,

    ... Joe, W4TV