[Elecraft] K3 and WSPR - configuration?

[The Smiths]

Yes, and NO....
 
First off you can also use SSB if you like to do this.. That may help you out with your filtering of the incoming signals. Remove your mic and use the rear mic input with the VOX on.  
Next, YES, you will only hear what sounds like a solid tone.  The modulation is very very slight and very very hard to hear otherwise.  So don't worry about that.  As soon as you look on-line you'll see that you're actually transmitting what you should be.  Just check to see who's receiving you.. It's rather exciting when you keep the rig below 5 watts, you'll be amazed at how far people will hear you.  Remember, this is all inside or below the noise level work you're doing.
 
When it comes to the receive side, NO NO NO, do NOT touch the RF gain!  You don't want to lower the gain on the input of the rig.  You want to make sure you have all the gain you can.. again, we're talking about noise level receiving here. You want to keep your passband filter open wide as well.  DON'T use the Dual PB filter if you're going to use Data mode for this operation. 
To set up the receive levels use your K3 MONITOR level output to set the computer's input along with the Mic input on the computer to set the sound cards input.  You will probably want to keep the K3 at about Mon level 10, and then put the Mic "boost" setting ON with your computers sound card.  Then move the Mic fader input level to adjust the input level as close to 0dB as you can. If you're not using the rear "speaker" out, and using the Mon out instead, you can adjust the Volume on the front of the rig to hear things any level you want, while keeping the computers input audio unchanged.
MOVE AWAY from the WSPR freq. to do the setting.  You want to park your rig in an area where there's nothing but noise floor.. no sending from others, no extra noise.. And remember to keep your NB and NR OFF.. nothing should affect the input of the rig.  Let it do the listening.. don't worry, it hears through the noise, even if you can't
 
If you have other questions let me know.  I'm not expert, but I can certainly pretend to be one!
 

 
> Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:04:17 -0400
> From: k2qi.nyc at gmail.com
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and WSPR - configuration?
> 
> Greetings fellow Elecrafters,
> 
> I've recently started playing with K1JT's WSPR program. I do believe I have
> the rig correctly configured as I use the current setup for all digital
> modes. I have the K3 set to DATA A mode. Since I've never used WSPR before
> though, when TXing, what are you supposed to hear? All I hear is what
> appears to be a solid, unmodulated tone followed by my CW ID. Does that
> sound right to you?
> 
> One last question - in order to achieve an Rx noise level of 0 dB, I've been
> using the RF gain control on the rig rather than PC volume control. Is this
> acceptable?
> 
> 73 de James K2QI
> President UNARC/4U1UN
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