[Elecraft] WJST and the K3

Fri Jul 2 17:04:14 EDT 2010

Hi Lee,

Operating WSJT with the K3 is very simple. You do not need your SignaLink 
USB device, though if you insist on using it, you can certainly do so --  
it's just that I do not know anything about it. You'll need to find advice 
on using it elsewhere.

Using the sound card in your computer, simply run two jumpers --- one from 
the speaker or line out output from your sound card to the Line In jack on 
the K3, and the other from the Line Out jack on the K3 to the Mic or Line In 
jack on the sound card. Those are the only connections you need. You can 
switch into transmit mode using the VOX capabilities on the K3. (You will 
need to enable VOX operation on the K3.) A fancy T-R switching setup is 
unnecessary, but again you can do it the complicated way if you insist. You 
will doubtless get all kinds of advice on how to do this, but the truth is, 
you don't need to do it at all. VOX works fine. And it's easy.

There is a Line Out level adjustment in the K3 configuration menu. Set it to 
"NOR" mode (fixed-level output, does not change with AF Gain control) and 
set the output level to about 7 (pretty low). This avoids distortion caused 
by too hot an output level into the sound card. Then adjust the sound card 
mic or line in level (line is usually a better choice) to produce an 
appropriate level on the WSJT waterfall display. All this is described in 
the WSJT user manual, and I'm not going to repeat it all here. Then adjust 
the sound card's speaker or line out output to produce full normal transmit 
RF output from the K3. Adjust the speaker out level until get about four 
bars or so of ALC indication on the K3; this will produce full RF output on 
all the FSK441 audio frequencies. The microphone and compression controls on 
the K3 are NOT used in this configuration; they are bypassed. Use the WSJT 
interface to create test messages or to send single tones. Again, all this 
is covered in the WSJT manual.

You should set up your K3 so that the digital mode of choice is DATA  A. 
This mode should be used with all sound card based digital modes except for 
RTTY (and you can use it for RTTY too if you want to). DATA A mode is like 
USB mode except that it automatically disables transmit equalization and 
compression, neither of which you want on a digital mode, and it bypasses 
the front-panel mic and compression level controls.

The K3 has an excellent cooling system for the PA, and you can safely run it 
at full 100 watts output for 30 seconds at a time, 50% duty cycle. The fan 
will run fast and probably audibly after a little while, but that's what it 
is there for. The PA will NOT overheat. It's well-designed to be able to 
handle this kind of operation.

Once you have transmit and receive working, you will need to learn the 
weak-signal operational protocols. There is ONE correct way to operate these 
modes using WSJT, and making it up as you go along, as you might on phone or 
CW, is NOT an option. You have to do your schoolwork and learn how to do it 
right. Resources: Ping Jockey Central 
http://www.pingjockey.net/cgi-bin/pingtalk; the WSJT Group page 
http://www.ykc.com/wa5ufh/. There are many others; these two are essential. 
On the latter site, look especially in the left-hand frame for links to the 
many tutorial articles. Join the WSJT online groups and mailing lists, ask a 
LOT of questions, and make sure you understand the answers. If at all 
possible, find someone in your area who has been through this whole process 
to help you get up to speed.

I won't BS you, there is a somewhat steep learning curve to WSJT, but it is 
well worth it! Persevere and you will get there. Expect to make a lot of 
mistakes until you get the hang of it, and don't get discouraged, but DO 
continue to use the Internet to NETWORK and READ. Best of luck! Hope to see 
you on PJ one of these days.

Bill W5WVO

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Lee Buller" <k0wa at swbell.net>
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:14 AM
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Elecraft] WJST and the K3

>
> OK....  I got the 6 meter bug...as you all know by now....
>
> I have been trying to set up WJST for the K3.  Can anyone send me some 
> information as to how to do this?  I am under the impression that it needs 
> to be on SSB - but can't find information on which sideband.  How do you 
> key the rig on SSB, it does not want to do so because I think it wants to 
> see DATA.
>
> I have a SignaLink USB - works great on RTTY and PSK...but seems to not 
> want to deal with WJST.  I've RTFM several times but am lost.  Anyone can 
> give me a hint...a web page to read (I've read a lot of them today)..or 
> something...
>
> I am missing something somewhere.  Who is the expert I can communicate off 
> the list!
>
> Lee K0WA
>
> =========================================================================
>
> Ham Radio Operators:  Kansas QSO Party is August 28-29, 2010.  See 
> www.ksqsoparty.org for details
>
> In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you 
> don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you 
> can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some 
> Common Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?
>
> Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my 
> mind. -  J. Wolf
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