[Elecraft] PSK-31 Help

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

I would recommend you continue with HRD/DM780.  It handles many more 
digital modes than just PSK31 - and HRD handles the Transmit function 
through commands through the serial port connected to the K3 with no 
problem.  As you gain more experience with digital modes, you may want 
to try something other than PSK31 (like RTTY, SSTV, etc.).  Besides, you 
said it works for you.

Could it be that the problem when using the other applications is that 
they fail to put the K3 into transmit for you?
If so, you can usually set both the K3 and the application to use DTR or 
RTS for the PTT function (over the serial port connection to the K3).  
That has two potential problems: 1) when the K3 is powered up, if there 
is an active signal on the RTS or DTR signal lines, the K3 will respond 
with a ERR KEY message until the condition is cleared, or 2) If on 
bootup (or any other time) the computer activates the DTR or RTS signals 
(many do), it will key the K3 at unexpected times.
If you can work around those two potential problems, then keying via RTS 
or DTR can work just fine.
You can also use VOX and not bother with the PTT input to the K3.

Bottom line -- since you can use HDR/DM780 successfully, the audio 
channels are functioning, and I suspect that your problem is in getting 
the K3 into transmit state from the software application.

There could also be a problem if your application is not setting up the 
soundcard correctly.  If you are connecting to a dedicated soundcard 
(your USB soundcard) for PSK31 operation, make certain that the 
application is using the correct soundcard.

The advantage for using a soundcard different than the Windows default 
soundcard is that the Windows beeps and sounds are not transmitted on 
the PSK portion of the hambands.

Other than those general guidelines, I cannot help much more because 
each computer is different.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ron Midwin wrote:
> Gentlemen:
>
>  
>
> I have a K-3, S/N 1997 and have tried using it on PSK 31 on several
> occasions.  I've tried using it with Ham Radio Deluxe, which did work OK,
> but HRD seems too Microsoftish for my tastes and takes too much time to set
> up so I'd like to use something simpler.
>
>  
>
> I've also used DigiPan, but seem to have trouble getting all the settings
> correct.  A friend recommends MultiPsk, which is next on my list of things
> to try.
>
>  
>
>  I know that I can set up the K-3 to copy PSK31 direct, and do have the
> radio interfaced with my laptop using a USB to serial adapter.  I don't use
> Rigblaster as it isn't needed.
>
>  
>
> I'd like to use my computer to send and receive so I'd like to hear from
> some PSK31 Guru's and see what setup you like to use.  My laptop is a year
> old HP running Vista.  It has a built in sound card, and I also have an
> auxiliary USB soundcard, which is a Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Amigo which
> has a mic in and headphone out, and a manual gain adjust wheel which might
> be useful for setting up the PSK signal levels.
>
>   
>