[Elecraft] PSK31 on my K3

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Garry, 

I don't know about Ira's setup guide.  However the one I did 
based on Router 5 and has been available for a long time via 
"help | download documents" in Router and from the microHAM 
list on Yahoo was fully checked on my own microKEYER and K3.  

I have recently refreshed most of the example configurations 
to reflect Router 7.6.x. 

> Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under Data Mode Selection,
> suggests that soundcard-based data communications can utilize 
> either LSB/USB or DATA mode--in this case DATA A.

DATA A is far more convenient.  I would not even consider 
using USB/LSB unless the transceiver completely lacked a 
DATA mode (e.g., the Kenwood boxes). 

> The MK Router setup guide appeared to be incorrect for this
> approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the same 
> (virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira instructed 
> instead to assign a separate virtual port, which was 
> necessary to place the Router in Voice mode during transmit 
> to allow keying the K3. 

PTT is not germane to any problems with PSK31 in MK.  

First, if DX4Win is configured properly to use "PTT Control" 
in PSK and CW it should use the CAT port DTR line.  I do that 
in all my configurations to minimize the number of virtual 
ports needed and reduce the operating resources needed.  It 
also helps with the "keep everything in the first 8 COM 
ports problem." 

Second when using "Line In" on the K3, microKEYER should be 
configured for audio switching "BBB" which does not change 
based on PTT.  In that case PTT is used only for PTT and 
not audio switching. 

> I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3
> manual to be thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing. 

Your issues are probably confined to the K3 set-up ... make 
sure you select "Line In" using the "mic sel" menu while 
you are in DATA A mode.  There is no substitute for understanding 
the OEM manual. 

73, 

   ... Joe Subich, W4TV 
       microHAM America 
       http://www.microHAM-USA.com 
       http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM 
       support at microham.com 
 
Note: the original copy of this response sent from microHAM 
      support includes a copy of the example configuration. 

      Unlike the meddling from W3FPR, the only issue is 
      probably in your configuration of the K3 Line In. 
      There is no reason to give up the other features of 
      microKEYER (including WinKey and automatic mic switching 
      and mic override of the soundcard in voice contesting) 
      simply because Don continues to trash microHAM products 
      used with Elecraft rigs. 
 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Garry Shapiro
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:55 AM
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Cc: Joe Subich; Toby & Ira Stoler
> Subject: [Elecraft] PSK31 on my K3
> 
> 
> I have spent considerable time trying to nail down PSK31 
> operation with 
> my K3. I have made some Q's, but questions remain.
> 
> My setup is a K3, MicroKeyer (Router 7.2.4) and DX4WIN 7.03. 
> I use the 
> AF4TY PSK app. included in DX4WIN. I have pestered Ira, K2RD who 
> recently co-rewrote the setup guide for MicroKeyer, and he has been 
> graciously helpful with my many MK issues in the past. What I 
> would like 
> is to reconcile what is in the K3 Owners Manual (rev. D5) 
> with what is 
> in the MicroKeyer (MK) setup guide, and to fully understand 
> and access 
> my data mode options.
> 
> Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under /Data Mode Selection, /suggests 
> that soundcard-based data communications can utilize either 
> LSB/USB or 
> DATA mode--in this case DATA A. (PSK D does not appear to be 
> relevant to 
> this discussion.) Tonight, with K2RD's help, I achieved 
> transmitted PSK 
> using USB mode. The MK Router setup guide appeared to be 
> incorrect for 
> this approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the /same 
> /(virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira instructed 
> instead to 
> assign a /separate /virtual port, which was necessary to place the 
> Router in Voice mode during transmit to allow keying the K3. This 
> appears to be OK, but it will require some on-air operation 
> to verify. A 
> minor annoyance is the necessity to zero out Compression, which is 
> performed automatically in DATA A mode.
> 
> Several days earlier, I had managed to achieve PSK output 
> using  TX DATA 
> mode with DATA A mode--but I have been unable to duplicate 
> that success! 
> I believe I succeeded at that time by following the 
> instruction in Step 
> 3 of the MK Router setup guide to assign the /same /virtual port for 
> both PTT and the Radio, but now the MK remains in Digital 
> mode and there 
> is no output when TX mode is initiated.
> 
> I would like to use DATA A mode so as not to have to remember to zero 
> the Compression and would also like the option to use AFSK 
> RTTY, which 
> would also require DATA A. (For RTTY, I have avoided this 
> issue by using 
> FSK with MMTTY, and I have so far had no interest in text decoding.)
> 
> I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3 manual to be 
> thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.
> 
> I am sure this audience can fill in the holes.
> 
> Garry, NI6T
> 
> 
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