NVØU

I have started playing around with an Arduino and am getting all sorts of crazy ideas for toys to build. So far my list is quite long, however, I have pretty much decided that the first project should be something useful (as opposed to all the things that are, well, just quite silly).

So, I am happy to announce that the first project is going to be a gizmo for the Elecraft K2 and K3. I have not decided on a name yet, but here is some background on the thing, as well as some of the features I would like to see in this.

The whole idea started with my friend Craig KY0O. Craig is a low vision amateur. He needs something so that he can use the current crop of radios. The rigs of today are quite complicated and have lots and lots of menus and other stuff on them that makes things difficult enough at times for those of us that have 100% of our vision – but imagine the problems you would endure trying to operate a radio blindfolded. You can’t.

Craig has also really wanted to own one of the finest radios out there – the Elecraft K2 or K3. The problem – the radios are menu driven and there is no way for him to get the most out of these radios. The K3 is much easier to use in terms of functions on the switches, but it still is not totally easy to do.

So, the goal of this device is going to be to allow Craig to use these two radios. Both of them use a modified version of the Kenwood command set. On the K3, at least, most of the indicators on the display can be read via the RS232 port. The K2 is a little harder to do (if my memory is right) but it is still doable.

This device needs to do quite a bit. First, and foremost, it needs some sort of audio output on it to say what is going on. The easiest way to do this would be to send the stuff as CW, much like the KX1 (which, by the way, Craig can use 100% without trouble), however, a much nicer interface would be voice. Or, better yet, something that can be rewritten.  For example, if you want the voice in French, just re-record all the commands and put them on a SD card and stick it in the device. Want it in morse? Record the info in CW, and do the same thing.

This device is not just going to be aimed at those with less than perfect vision. Consider it to be a breakout box as well. The memory buttons on the K2 and K3 are on the front panel. Very handy, for sure, but I actually want these buttons to be closer to my right hand when I am contesting. I use a mouse quite a bit, and it would be nice to have the memory buttons right near my mouse hand. Same goes with a tuning knob.

However, does the device really need all this? This is part of the power I envision in this project – the ability to add things that you want and need, rather than being forced to have everything on there.

I think the Arduino is going to be a great platform for doing this. The stuff is open – both hardware and software. Coming up with a plug and play system should be pretty easy. It also might be possible, and it would be the goal of this project, to interface with other radios as well. Only time will tell on that however.