[Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes

[Simon Brown (HB9DRV)]

I've tacked answers into your post.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Gibson" <chrism0psk at googlemail.com>

Q1.    Does experience suggest that there can be an observable operational
gain in using a sound card different from that built into the PC?

DRV> Depends on built-in card, laptops are usually foul as are soundcards on 
the motherboard in general (generalisation).

Q2.    Which published technical specifications of a sound card are relevant
to digimode operation?

DRV> Dynamic range, for example:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta44-focus.html

Q3.    On the basis of the answer to Q2, how does one judge whether one
sound card is "better" than another for digimode operation?

DRV> Less intermod, less noise, less spurious signals. Less problems due to 
strong adjacent signals.

Q4.    Do list members have specific recommendations for cost-effective
external sound cards? (The sound card suggested by Simon costs around as
much in the UK as the 100W upgrade for the basic K3.)

DRV> External is a good idea as you can take it with you and it avoids noise 
from the PC. SignaLink USB is good enough, don't know whether there is a K3 
cable yet. FWIW the Delta-44 is GBP85 in the UK.

73 Chris, MØPSK