[Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes

[Julian G4ILO]

On 8/16/07, Chris Gibson <chrism0psk at googlemail.com> wrote:

[snip]

> 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.)

To be honest, notwithstanding Simon's comments, I'm skeptical of the
benefit of using an external sound card for ordinary data modes. There
are documented benefits for using one for SDR, but that is another
matter. I admit I have never tried using a laptop for radio use, but
the sound card chips on the laptop motherboards seem to be the same as
those used on desktop motherboards so I can't imagine it makes much
difference.

I find I can get pretty good copy of PSK31 (and CW, come to that)
using a Dell Axim PDA running PocketDigi sitting next to the K2 in its
cradle and receiving the audio from the loudspeaker via its built-in
microphone. Obviously, the copy isn't as good as on the PC with a
direct connection. But I think it shows that for modes like that, the
quality of the input really isn't that critical. I've seen greater
differences between different decoding programs. I think MixW is
slightly better than programs that use the PSK Core DLL, for example.

There are arguments for using an external sound card, such as being
able to keep the built-in sound card for other uses. But I wouldn't go
splashing out on an external sound card just on the suggestion that it
might give better results. Chances are, it will make no discernible
difference.
-- 
Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: ???
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
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