Getting started
In comparison with many other ham radio logging programs, KComm is quite easy to use. Nevertheless, some aspects of the software may not be immediately apparent. Therefore it is recommended that you should read this section before starting to use the program. We will start at the top of the main window.
Radio status
The Radio status panel shows the UTC time, frequency (MHz), mode, whether RIT/XIT or SPLIT are on, status (RX or TX) and signal strength. Note that the program's S meter readings may not correspond exactly with those of the radio.
Frequency control
Although KComm is not designed to be a remote-control application, if you double-click on the frequency display you will open up a small stay-on-top toolbar window that contains a set of controls for changing the frequency of the radio from within the software.
Connecting to the radio
KComm does not try to connect to the radio immediately it starts, to avoid those annoying error messages when you change your serial port configuration or the radio is not switched on.
KComm may used when it is not connected to the radio to manually add contacts to the log file. It can also be used as a logging program by Fldigi or gMFSK, when the latter has control of the radio. (Note: Under Microsoft Windows it is possible to set up a virtual serial port connector to allow both KComm and a sound card data mode program to connect simultaneously to the radio.)
When you wish to begin operating, turn on your K2 or K3 (which should be connected to your computer's serial port, of course) and click the Connect button.
Note: Before connecting to the radio for the first time, however, various settings need to be set up, which you do by clicking the Settings button. The various Settings options are described separately.