[Elecraft] K3 Connection to PC for HRD

[Iain MacDonnell - K6IAM]

Lawrence Libsch wrote:
>     I would like to try HRD for digital modes, logging and rig control 
> for my newly built K3. (Great Kit. Great Instructions. Great radio.) I 
> own an Elecraft USB to Serial port cable. I own an EMU 0202 sound card. 
> I am using a Lenovo T61 laptop. I would like to continue using DXBase 
> logging software, in HRD if possible.  I have these questions:

I'm just going through a similar setup right now. I don't use DXBase,
though - I use HRD's built-in logging.

HRD doesn't do digital modes itself, but it comes with DM780 (as well as
PSK31 Deluxe, but DM780 does PSK31 too), and that interfaces with HRD
for rig-control.


>         Do I want to use the EMU 0202 to connect the K3 to the PC for HRD?

Sure, if you have it already. I'd expect it to work well. I just bought
one to use with an LP-PAN (on order).


>         If I do want to use the EMU, what cables do I want to use and 
> how do I connect them?

You'll need audio connections in both directions (transmit and receive).

Line out on the K3 is a stereo connector, and usually the left channel
is the main receiver. The EMU 0202 has two 1/4 inputs for left and
right. I'm using a 3.5mm stereo -to- 2xRCA cable, then a RCA-to-1/4"
adapter on the input to the EMU 0202.

For transmit, the line in on the K3 is mono 3.5mm. The EMU 0202 has
a 3.5mm stereo, and 2 x 1/4 left/right outputs. I'm using a RCA-to-RCA
cable with a RCA-to-3.5mm adapter on the K3 end and a RCA-to-1/4" on
the EMU end.

Selection was based on availability of cables and adapters in my spares
boxes :)


>         If the EMU 2nd sound card provides no advantage and I omit 
> it, what cables
>         do I need and how do I connect them?

Pretty much the same thing, except to the sound card in your computer,
which will probably have 3.5mm stereo out and 3.5mm mono in (?)

Others may comment on whether isolation transformers are a good idea
here (in either case).

The EMU 0202 might perform better than the internal sound card in your
PeeCee.


>         With HRD do I need VOX or PTT to control transmit in digital 
> modes? If so, how do I        cable for this?

HRD can key the radio through the serial port. I installed the latest
beta build this morning, plugged in the serial cable, set the K3 for
38400kbps, and it "just works" (thanks, Simon!). DM780 can be configured
to use HRD for keying, after setting up the IP server in HRD (consult
the documentation).

Make sure you use "DATA A" mode, and use the mic gain knob to set the
line out level until the ALC looks right when you're transmitting (it
defaulted to 0 for me).

It seems to be working here - I haven't attempt a QSO yet, but I can
receive PSK31, and the needle on my watt-meter is moving by the right
amount when when I transmit a test :)


>         Will I be able to run digital modes and DXBase logging software 
> simultaneously from inside
>         HRD?

Don't know about that one, as I've never used DXBase. If it needs serial
access to the radio, you might look at LP-Bridge and see if that can
help. Also, google sez:

http://forums.ham-radio.ch/archive/index.php?t-8916.html

which claims the DM780 can forward Qs to DXBase.

Good luck...

     ~Iain