[Elecraft] k3/psk on laptop

[Ed Muns]

> If you plan on a bit more digital work I strongly suggest an 
> external USB or Firewire soundcard. Laptops often have a 
> rotten soundcard, an external card can be amazing. Laptop 
> soundcards are OK for Beep and Ding but for digital mode work 
> they really can be the limiting factor.
> 
> The K3 has a stonking receiver, it's a shame to cripple it 
> with a laptop soundcard.

This has not been my experience with RTTY and PSK31 on two K3s for nearly a
year now.  I've only used the internal sound card on laptops and old
desktops with no degradation in performance for all my digital operations.
Same for the Icom 756ProII and ProIII as well as the TS950S.

This advice comes up on the RTTY reflector from time to time (get a high
performance sound card for the digital modes) and there is always a group of
relies refuting that advice.  I'm not sure what the reason(s) are for
disparity on this issue.

What do you think the "limiting factor" is?

73,
Ed - W0YK/P49X