And no, I didn't get the Maldives when this screen shot was taken!

Hi I'm looking for beta testers for a continuatiob of my Windows4P3 which was a windows control program for the Elecraft P3 and a video capture board.
I got tired of issues with comport sharing programs and decided to roll my own.  Hence Win4K3 Suite.

Some of the features:
Fairly complete user interface for the Elecraft K3 with KPA500 support and P3 capabilities.
Most of the user interface which is behind "Holds" and Bset's have been brought out to dedicated buttons.  Some of the features are:
Graphics equalizer interface with savable presets.
Individual control of the noise blanker for both main and sub receivers
Access to all modes including "reverse modes"
Support for transverters
I tried to bring as much as I could to the surface, but also realized that not all functions are accessible from the K3 RS232 interface.  For example the IF shift for the subreceiver is not available. Therefore, at the moment, only the crystal filters from the main receiver are adjustable, but you can copy them to the sub.
Windows for P3, is the old version of this software which only offered P3 control if you had a SVGA board and a video capture board.  It is still a big part of the software, but now there is an experimental mode which allows the use of a 720 webcam to capture the video directly from the P3 display.  No need for a SVGA and capture board.  Not the best, but works!

The software currently has a Ham Radio Delux interface so that the Logbook can connect and get frequencey and mode information as well as offering QSY to the spots in the software.  DM780 works since it relies on the logbook itself and I presume, but have not tested, the rotator interfaces.  I am looking at integrating other software like DXKeeper and so on.
The software will not use a comport sharing program.  It will use native comport control.

One feature that I struggled with for a while but now have a solution, is getting the P3 display to work remotely.  I now am able to stream the P3 display over the internet with reasonable good response times.  Win4K3 Suite will also come with a remote mode.  The same software can be used in remote mode, and a server connected to the K3 will control the K3, KPA500 and P3 from the comfort of your vacation home!
Again, no tcp to comport utilities.  It is built in to the software.

Anyhow, I would like beta testers who can try this out and provide me with feedback.  The software will be available for beta test in about 1-2 weeks.  The remote capabilities shortly thereafter.
If you would like to see the interface, please take a look here:

 http://va2fsq.com/wp-content/uploads/w4k3suite1.jpg

Please note, that the software will be supported under Windows 7 and up, but not XP. It might work, but I doubt it.

If you are interested, please send me a PM and I'll put you on the list.

Thanks, Tom
VA2FSQ

Sure.  What is the config of your K3 system?

I found a lot of issues of flexibility and completeness in HRD for the K3.  So I decided to write my own control program.  It works with the P3 ( if you have the SVGA adapter and a video capture board), K3 and KPA500.  I also hope to complete the interface to HRD's Logbook and DM780 soon, which I like.

Currently I have the ability to do just about everything the K3 can.  My last step is now working on  the filters.  Just like there is separate control of both receivers in the K3 with independent NR and NB, there will separate control of the filters.


I suspect the software will be ready in two weeks or so and I am looking for beta testers.  Please feel free to PM me if you wish to participate.

One thing,  XP is not supported....you guys gotta get rid of it!!

Tom

I've had the R6000 and replaced it with the Av620.  The R6000 uses traps and I was unable to get rid of it's shift of resonance when it rained.  The av620 uses stubs and is rock solid.  Both also generate a lot of rfi to neighbours electronics!

I've had good results with these antennas.  They are great for DX, in the last two weeks having worked Spratley, indonesia, China.  But conditions are a big factor. 

Both of these are very convenient.

Just resurrecting this old thread since I was the OP.
I finally got China!  In the contest today, around 14:00 there were a few stations just booming into montreal on 20m. Over 59.
There was hardly any one working them.  The problem was, that they could hardly hear me as well as anyone else who called.  It took about 20 tries before he got my call sign correct (I think) and the other stations couldn't hear almost anyone, for the whole time I listened which was about 20 minutes.
They sure cold use a noise canceller!

Mines there too.  Gives me 149 confirmed entities on LOTW

Thanks for all the interesting hints.  Like usual, it's a matter of looking at the right time of day, and the right time of the year.  I've only been on the air for a bit over a year, so patterns are not yet fully in place.

Thanks for all the info.
I guess it's time to get that beam, looks like I'll take Peter's advice and get the MQ-36R.  That's probably the best I will ever do.

Hi, this is one zone I'm still missing.  Are there any regular operators in this zone?  There was a dxpedition at Christmas island a while ago, but didn't here them at all, but then again, I didn't know much about dxing then (a bit more now).  Are there no operators in western australia?
Tom

Just wondering, since the last two days I can hardly hear ANY stations except SA...whereas last week, I was getting QSO's with Indonesia and Spratley, Sri Lanka and others. Are more northern latitudes affected by Auroras, which was around because of the solar storms a few days ago?

Finally, what is going to happen when we are at the lowest of the solar cycle?  Will I hear no stations any more?  Haven't been around on the air long enough to know.  Is there DX then?
Tom

http://www.creativesg.com
Check out the fake "antenna tree" 30 meters high!

My wife balked at the picture of the MQ-36SR three element mini beam, so I showed her the two element version.  She said ok, that's better.  But little does she know, that the three element version can be set up initially as a two element antenna.  So, after a few weeks/months....when she goes out for the day, I'll sneak in the other element.  Think she'll notice?
If  not, a few months after this, I'll sneak in a trap beam like the mosley mini warc..

And you are just a few hundred miles from me.  They were over 59 here in Montreal but only for about 15 minutes.  After this I could hardly hear them. Gotthere just at the right moment.

There's an up side to everything.  Lost my job so now I have time to DX in the morning!  This has been an incredible two weeks for me, 9 ATNO's and most in areas I never heard before.