[Elecraft] Digital advice sought for K2 and K3

[N2TK, Tony]

Tnx Don for the feedback. I got one of those boards from you so I am set
with that. Well that will be neat that I don't have to buy any other
hardware for the K3 to operate Digital. So I would only need a program for
the PC?

And sounds like my Rigblaster will do what I need for the K2. Do I get any
advantages by upgrading to something like the Navigator or RigExpert for
either the K2 or K3 as an interface?

73,
N2TK, Tony


-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:w3fpr at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2007 7:02 PM
To: N2TK, Tony
Cc: Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Digital advice sought for K2 and K3

Tony,

As I understand the K3 you won't even need the RigBlaster, it can 
connect directly to the computer (only cables and plugs needed) - even 
does RTTY/PSK31 without the computer at all if you want.

For the K2, you should provide some isolation between the computer and 
the K2 - transformers in the audio-out and mic-in do that job and a 
voltage divider is needed in the mic input because the soundcard output 
is much greater than the mic input level.  The RigBlaster should provide 
that isolation.
Then if you want automatic transmit/receive, you need a transistor 
keying switch to turn transmit on (PTT) from the digital computer 
application - easily accomplished with a simple transistor switch to 
drive the PTT line - Google on PSK31 and you will find a lot of 
information about how to hook things up.

Of course, your RigBlaster includes many of these things, so you may 
just want to unpack it.

If you want a fixed audio output level from the K2, I have a few boards 
left (no kits) - you can take a look at my website article about it at 
http://w3fpr.qrpradio.com

73,
Don W3FPR

N2TK, Tony wrote:
> I finally am going to get on the digital modes. Never did any of the
digital
> stuff before so I am asking advice from you digital mavens. At Dayton I
> would like to pick up the hardware I need. 
> I have my K3 on order. For now I would be using my K2. 
> 
> Figured I would look especially at the Microham and Navigator offerings. I
> like the idea that I wouldn't need to use an audio card in the PC. 
> I have a RIGblaster that has never been out of the box. Maybe that works
> fine for digital modes? Do I need more than this? What does more than this
> buy me?
> 
> What advice can you give me as to what to look for, what to recommend for
> hardware to use on my K2 and forthcoming K3 so that it would be easy to
> switch from CW, SSB and any of the popular digital modes?
> 
> Tnx for your advice.
> 
> N2TK, Tony