[Elecraft] K3 configuration for PSK31 - How To

[Alan D. Wilcox]

Hello,

Now that I got my K3-40 running on PSK31, I write this summary to help 
anyone fighting the same battle ...

Connections:
Audio: Line in and out (two wires) K3 to PC's extra sound board (Audigy 
by Creative).
Audio: Stereo phones (one wire) K3 to PC's built-in sound on motherboard.
Stereo speakers: Connected to PC's built-in sound.
RS-232 cable that I made for the K2.

Software:
Ham Radio Deluxe (latest beta required, build 1686)
DM780 (part of HRD)

Configuration:
1. PC system sound set for the built-in motherboard audio (Control Panel 
setting). I hear the PC's beeps AND the K3's audio. When I connect to 
the K3's phone jack (and ONLY this jack), I can press the AFX button and 
hear the K3's "pseudo stereo," which is really quite a nice feature.
2. The XP sliders for volume, etc, pertain to the speaker's audio.
3. When setting up HRD/DM780, I specify the Audigy sound card, and 
control volume/mic gain within HRD/DM780. Having a second sound card 
really makes configuration easy AND allows me to listen to pseudo stereo 
on the speakers (not possible with one sound card).
4. PTT is done in software. I don't need to fuss with a PTT line to 
transmit. (Can't use Digipan for PTT this way, but I'm really coming to 
like HRD more as I get more familiar with it.)
5. When I switch from SSB to PSK31, the microphone needs to be set to 
"Line-in" rather than front panel with bias (it's a main-menu selection).

Remote operation:
Because my radio bench is downstairs in the basement, and my office is 
on the second floor (more comfortable), I tried early on to set the K3 
up so I could go remote. After an extended discussion at 
http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=9797 ... here's where I 
landed (at least for now):
1. Setup the K3 as above. No changes for remote operation.
2. The Radio's PC downstairs runs UltraVNC server (Windows 2000 on that PC).
3. Upstairs I connect over my LAN (now with CAT5 cable to downstairs) 
using VNC. What I see on my monitor is exactly what's on the monitor 
downstairs. So I just click the buttons in HRD or DM780, carry on a 
digital QSO just as if I were in the basement. The CAT5 is essential to 
handle a decent VNC screen that refreshes quickly; 802.11b was way too 
slow, and I went for the cables (250 feet for $50 at Lowe's) rather than 
deal with a major wireless upgrade. The waterfall displays proper motion 
now.

Yet to do:
1. No audio upstairs yet. IP-Sound worked, but was a major hassle 
getting it to work smoothly. When I ran the CAT5 cable downstairs, I 
pulled a second cable with it (250' is a LOT of cable at home). I'm 
planning to get the Gefen "Audio Extender" to get the audio upstairs 
using that second cable. Don't need audio with the waterfall, but it is 
nice to be able to hear other things!
2. At the moment, HRD's ATU and tune buttons don't seem to work. So if I 
change bands, I can't retune if it's needed (don't need to do this 
frequently, so it's not a deal breaker).

Option not selected:
HRD/DM780 can be run directly on my upstairs PC, and connect to the K3 
downstairs. I had a huge hassle getting audio upstairs so I could see 
the waterfall. Again, http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=9797 
for details. IP-Sound just didn't cut it. Perhaps once I install the 
Gefens, the audio might actually give me a waterfall. Unknown.  Aside 
from that, having two HRDs and two sets of macros, etc, just doesn't 
make sense; I suppose I could set my upstairs HRD to go to the basement 
PC for its data and configuration files. Plus I'd need to tinker with 
audio levels upstairs without being able to see what's happening with 
the transmitter.

Hope this helps! I've probably overlooked something vital to your setup, 
so feel free to contact me!

Alan

-- 
Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
Williamsport, PA 17701