[Elecraft] K3 Port sharing redux

[Wes]

Max,

I'm not necessarily set on using LP-Bridge, although it is suiting my needs.  As 
to its age, my logging program hasn't been updated in 12 years and it still 
works fine. I don't have a problem with the start up time, generally, the 
computer is on all of the time and my programs are all loaded.  I don't really 
care about CAT commands as long as 1) my logging program can read the K3 
frequency and mode, 2)  SpectraVue can communicate with the K3 and vice versa, 
3)  a couple of other programs can do the same.

I never said I was using Omni-rig with Win4K3, that I found necessary to run FT8 
using LPB at someone's suggestion.

I find it a bit humorous to have you tell me that I didn't need to look at 
Device Manager since I got the idea by watching your video @29:30  (Yes, I did 
watch it and it was helpful).

I launch DXBase using a Windows task to avoid the UAC prompt.  I have a desktop 
shortcut that points to that task.  I can run that script in LPB to autostart 
DXBase but AFAIK it won't autostart in Win4K3.

Wes



On 6/15/2019 3:27 PM, M. George wrote:
> Wes, I think you are pretty well set on the continued use of LP_Bridge.
>   Keep in mind that Larry hasn't touched / updated LP_Bridge for 3.5 years,
> plus it's painful to wait for it to start up the virtual eltima IMHO.  You
> just do not get true virtual K3 CAT instances with LP_Bridge that support
> all the K3 CAT commands etc.  Plus with LP_Bridge you can't supply a K3 CAT
> read only feed direct to hardware at anything faster than 4800 baud, and
> when you do that, the hardware must be set to Kenwood protocol IMHO, again
> the hardware won't see the full K3 CAT command set.
>
> There is no reason to use Omni-rig with Win4K3Suite.  Again, the beauty to
> true virual K3 CAT feeds.  The software and hardware thinks it's connected
> direct to your K3/S.  No more fooling around with another abstraction layer
> and required support by the hardware you are using.
>
> com0com port setup couldn't be easier when you use the com0com graphical
> setup program.  No need to look at the device manager at all.  And the port
> pairs are created at boot time without a laborious wait for Eltima drivers
> to load like LP-Bridge.  The control you get with com0com and Win4K3Suite
> is much more robust and powerful than LP-Bridge.  Hands down... as I said
> before... LP-Bridge isn't in the same ball park, and I also ran LP-Bridge
> for years, but I would never go back at this point.  However, you can tell
> I'm a Win4K3Suite fan boy. :)  Did you watch my video?
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbf7BPfcj4U
>
> You are really limiting yourself with LP-Bridge, especially if you use
> Omni-rig too?  No reason for that even with WSJT etc.  You just don't need
> any of that abstraction layer API nonsense with Win4K3Suite.
>
> As far as the auto launch question, you should join and post int he
> Win4K3Suite Groups.io group.  Personally, I don't use any auto launch
> because with Win4K3Suite, once it's started and it does start up fast
> unlike LP-Bridge (talk about a PITA), you can then just launch the software
> you want to use for the type of operating you are doing.  I start
> Win4K3Suite and Launch N1MM if I'm going to contest, or DXLap for general
> operating and WSJT for FT-8, or run them all at the same time.  You can see
> this in the video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbf7BPfcj4U>.  By the
> time LP-Bridge finally starts and creates the virtual ports, you could have
> everything running twice with Win4K3Suite.
>
> As far as the UAC prompt, are you saying that LP-Bridge launches your app
> without sowing the UAC prompt to run the software as an administrator?  Are
> you starting LP-Bridge as an admin in this case?  Try running Win4K3Sute as
> an admin and launch your apps?
>
> Anyway, my two cents... I'm a Win4KSuite fan so its clear I'm very bias at
> this point, big time and I like the ongoing updates and full support of the
> K3 full CAT command set.
>
> Good luck, I really think you are making it harder than it needs to be
> where you are trying to use Omni-rig and LP-Bridge and mixing a semi
> virtual K3 CAT via LP-Bridge and then using UDP broadcasts with Omni-Rig
> and or a direct Omni-rig connect to a virual port in LP-Bridge?  You could
> do the same thing with Win4K3Sute, but there is no need to introduce
> Omni-Rig for WSJT, just connect WSJT to a virtual K3 CAT feed from
> Win4K3Suite or LP-Bridge for that matter.
>
> I could go on and on... you are very limited with LP-Bridge... where with
> Win4K3Suite, you can setup 6 Virtual K3 CAT feeds... using software and or
> hardware and whatever baud radio you want and you can control if they are
> read/write polling or not K3 CAT feeds.  It's the best $50-$60 software I
> have bought for my station needs.  But then again, LP-Bridge is free.  It
> comes down to good, fast and cheap.... you can only ever have two of those
> three options and sacrifice the third one. :)
>
> Max NG7M
>
>