[Elecraft] K3 and USB Audio Codec

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

 > I don't trust the quality of an external soundcard of this price.
 > It might be sufficient for PSK31 but probably not for Winmor. The
 > Signalink USB is good, but not for 20 bucks.

The USB Audio CODEC integrated circuit in the IC-7000 or IC-7600 has
the same specifications as the USB Audio CODEC in Signalink or a $15
USB headset adapter.  There is no benefit to putting audio to digital
conversion in the radio and bringing the audio out using a driver
dependent protocol.

An integrated "USB audio CODEC" is nothing more than a gimmick that
provides no performance benefit while limiting user flexibility/choice,
increasing cost and decreasing reliability.

If one were going to provide digital output, it would be far better
to stream the raw in I/Q data from the DSP's ADC via firewire rather
than push it through two additional A/D and D/A steps and reduce it
to a single channel of audio.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 7/10/2010 3:48 PM, oe9fwv wrote:
>
> I don't trust the quality of an external soundcard of this price. It might be
> sufficient for PSK31 but probably not for Winmor. The Signalink USB is good,
> but not for 20 bucks.
> I have not heard of a problem with the DSP in the IC-7200 or 7600.
>> From what I have heard this is not a real soundcard but the IF passband
> after the DSP is sent to the audio codec via USB.
> It would make it very easy using the K3 for digital soundcard modes without
> another external device.
>
> 73! de Werner OE9FWV
>
>
>