[Elecraft] K-3: USB SignaLink for better RTTY decoding?

[Jim McDonald]

Dick,

If I were starting from scratch, I'd get a microKEYER II
(http://www.microham-usa.com/) because of the integration it offers,
including a second FSK port for SO2V operation with the K3, SteppIR control,
etc., all from one USB port, and the support from Joe, W4TV.  The K3 has the
isolation on the audio ports, but the choice depends the total package of
features that you want.

I haven't done that yet, but I did get one of the external USB sound boxes
that W4TV mentioned on the RTTY reflector.  It's now $6 cheaper at only
$18.99 than what I paid a couple of months ago:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829180006 

I found it to require less drive than the fancy sound card built into my
Dell computer.  I'm still using FSK with a simple HB interface at
http://www.aa5au.com/rttyinterface.html .  I believe that the SignaLink uses
AFSK for transmit, but I prefer FSK.

I use the left and right receiver channels to decode the main receiver and
subreceiver, respectively, in split frequency DX pileups, using two
instances of MMTTY.  The USB sound box does fine for that too.

Jim N7US



-----Original Message-----
 
Hi Guys,
 
I really like the K-3 for RTTY.  But I'm trying to maximize  reception as 
during contests I often hear stations calling me that I can't  copy.  I 
believe the weakest link with my RTTY reception is the  SoundCard in my
current 
Desktop.  I say this because I use a  different Desktop while operating from

my Midwest QTH and  that computer seems to decode weak signals with the same

K-3 a lot  better.  Funny thing is that the processor in that Desktop that  
decodes better is about 50% slower.  So my question is: do  you thinking 
replacing my current Desktop's SoundCard with a USB  SignaLink would improve

weak signal RTTY reception?  Note: I have done  various routines to
calibrate 
the Desktop Sound Card with little  improvement.
 
Thanks & 73,
 
Dick- K9OM