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Reviews For: Elecraft K-Pod Control Panel

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : Elecraft K-Pod Control Panel
Reviews: 5MSRP: $249.95
Description:
The K-Pod is a compact accessory panel optimized for
contesting, DXing, and customized station control. It has
a symmetrical panel layout so it can be used with either
hand, and is small enough to be placed on either side of
a PC keyboard in dense operating configurations.

- Ideal companion to the Elecraft K3 and K3S
Transceivers, maximizing convenience and operating
efficiency.

- Only 3.5 x 3 x 1 inches (9 x 7.5 x 2.5 cm). Heavy steel
enclosure with folding tilt stand stays in place during
use.

- Utility jack on the radio’s front panel acts as the K-
Pod’s data interface. The unit can be powered from this
jack, the radio’s rear 12-V accessory output, or any 8-15
V DC power source.

- Weighted, soft-touch knob is assignable to VFO A, VFO
B, or RIT/XIT Offset. Uses high-quality, 400-count ball-
bearing optical encoder.

- Knob can be instantly assigned to VFO A, VFO B, or
RIT/XIT offset using the K-Pod’s rocker switch.

- 8 programmable switches invoke up to 16 existing radio
functions or user-defined macros. Macros can are easy to
create using K3 Utility, and can perform simple or
complex tasks, from setting mode or frequency to complete
customized split setups.

- Also includes USB Port and 3 general-purpose relay-
drive outputs for future applications.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.elecraft.com/k-pod/k-pod.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0055
KE9UW Rating: 2020-12-13
Love It! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love this K-Pod, BUT I’ve sort of worn out 3 of them. The symptom is that the most used buttons get noisy and trigger another macro from another address. When I had the first one do that, I did extensive testing to eliminate rf noise, etc.
And a new unit however proved to work perfectly...for about 4 months. When it started doing the same thing Elecraft said it was highly unlikely and especially twice to the same guy, but they sent me another one anyway. Great company!
Now that one after a year is doing it again. I rearranged the macros to different buttons of the two macros I mostly use, and it works flawlessly again for those two. I doubt that Elecraft will keep sending me these things, maybe I’m missing something. But all I can come up with is noisy switches, double triggering. Anybody have similar issues?

I have an UPDATE. Elecraft sent me the part number for the switches from Digikey (EG4904TR-ND) and sent me 5 switches to use for replacements. As of now, I have rearranged the macros so I can wait awhile to wear out what I am using mostly now. The switches look very easy to replace.
K2MK Rating: 2020-12-13
Nice addition to my K3 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My initial impression of the K-Pod is very positive. It's about the weight of a good paddle so it stays put on the desk. The size is not much larger than the tuning knob which is the same knob as on the K3.

I like contests (using N1MM) and my main use is as a RIT tuning knob when running. Sitting on the left side of the PC keyboard I find it easier to twist the K-Pod knob than to fiddle with the RIT knob on the K3, the wheel on the PC mouse, or the up and down buttons on the PC keyboard. It's funny how many ways exist to adjust RIT.

Some of my button macros are:

Buttons to change to 50Hz and 200Hz bandwidth, my CW favorites.

A VFO Lock toggle button to avoid the annoying K3 Lock hold button.

Separate buttons to rapidly set up for mode and my preferred bandwidth for CW, RTTY, and FT4/8
PE1HZG Rating: 2020-08-28
AUX connector errata Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My earlier review was a bit sour because schematics were not available. This has been corrected and they are now available for download

If people are using the AUX outputs (not many are, it seems): the AUX outputs are swapped in the documentation: tip isn't AUX1 but AUX3, and ring2 isn't AUX3 but AUX1. Not a biggie, but helpful to know when using these outputs as it may save headscratching while programming the thing.
Elecraft has confirmed this error and will correct if the manual is updated.

As to usability - it is what your phantasy say it can be. I refer to the other reviews here

I'm upping from 4 to 5 stars because with docs available, my reason to drop a star is gone.
K9YEQ Rating: 2017-12-22
Great accessory for K3S Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered the K-Pod accessory to make working at my desk easier to do and and play radio at tge same time. The knob makes it super convenient to tune and "program" macros to the switches to avoid reaching over the desk to the radio which is not immediately in front of me. There were sample macros in the included manual. I customized a couple for my own preferences. Also enclosed with my order was a free reference manual to expand my macro understanding. Sweet. The foot stand was easily removed by unscrewing the two finger adjustable attachment screws which I did put back on once the foot stand was off. By doing so the K-POD fits on the pull out keyboard desk tray and place the K-POD flat on the tray which allows me to close the tray. With the foot stand attached the assembly rocked when flat. The supplied cable is all I have connected to the K3S. It is amply long enough and flexible and the well weighted K-POD stays in place when opening and closing the drawer.

Writing macros is fun! I have tried a few, some with success and others required a little trial and error on my part. I have switches assigned to the buttons in the order I use them most. Button selection requires either a tap or hold to get all 16 used. Some cutting and pasting in the K3S utility was simple enough to move the selections to where I will probably remember them best. There is a learning curve but a fun way to play and experience this excellent combination. Hats off to Elecraft on this super device.
W0YK Rating: 2016-07-04
Convenient Operating Efficiency Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
At first glance, the K-Pod appears to be another version of a remote tuning knob such as the Pignology PigKnob or Griffin PowerMate. Dedicated to the Elecraft K3S and K3, it instead offers operators a robust remote control pod for their radio.

The knob itself is identical to the main tuning knob of the tranceiver with a convenient rocker switch underneath to instantly define it for VFO-A, VFO-B or Offset (RIT/XIT).

There are 4 pushbuttons on each side of the knob which can be defined with 2 functions each for a total of 16 user-defined functions (tap or hold). A function can be as simple as replicating a control on the radio, e.g., RIT Clear. Or, it can be a message or a more complex function using the K3 programming language such as setting Split mode with a specific offset between receive and transmit frequencies.

There are 4 LEDs that can also be programmed by the user for whatever state or feedback is desired. And, there are 3 output signals for controlling relays or other accessories in the shack.

The K-Pod is connected with a simple RJ12 cable to a jack on the underside of the radio's front panel, for both signals and power. There is a USB port for connecting to a PC for firmware updating, messages and programming.

The K-Pod integrates seamlessly and operates smoothly, just as if one were using the radio tuning knobs and buttons. For contesters and DXers, the convenience of having these functions plus user-defined macros positioned right next to the keyboard is superb.

Like a good CW key, the weight of the K-Pod keeps is solidly anchored to the desired location on the operating table.

This is a great accessory for enhancing the capability of the K3S and K3 transceivers.