[Elecraft] K3/RigExpert TI-5

[Don Wilhelm]

  Joe,

My apologies to your products, but I have been a long and strong 
believer in the KISS principle.  "Keep It Simple Stupid".  Yes, there 
are accessories that make things more usable, but at the expense of 
simplicity.  Every device added to the combination of things to put a 
signal on the air adds to the complexity of the entire setup.  And that 
added complexity adds to the number of devices that can fail, and adds 
exponentially to the number of setup combinations that are possible - 
some combinations will work, others will almost work, and a lot of other 
combinations result in requests for help here on the Elecraft 
reflector.  None of those combinations are a K3 problem, but are a 
result of the complexity of the various components in the users station 
setup.

Since the K3 does support digital modes direct from a computer 
soundcard, it would be prudent IMHO for users to try that combination 
first before committing to the extra features afforded by an external 
interface box.

In two cases in the last two days, we have encountered "problems" on 
this reflector where the user of an external interface box had problems 
because the audio levels presented to the K3 were at microphone level 
instead of line level - simply because the interface box manufacturer 
did not consider that any transceiver would be using line level inputs.  
Your Microham interface boxes may give consideration to line level input 
(I don't know one way or the other), but many do not even consider 
anything other than mic level input.  I am not targeting the Microham 
products, but am simply indicating that many digital interface boxes do 
not consider line level audio input to the transceiver.

Again with the KISS principle, the more functions that are placed in the 
interface box, the more complex the entire station operation becomes.  
Once properly set up, it can be a benefit, but for those who are 
initially venturing into digital modes, the variety of setup tools and 
menus for a particular interface box can be overwhelming.  This is not a 
K3 problem.  Set things up using the simplest connections possible, and 
determine that the K3 works.  Then add the interface box - if it does 
not work, then it should be obvious that some setup parameter for the 
interface box is the problem and the user should direct his questions to 
the interface box reflector and not bring implications that the K3 is 
faulty.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/9/2011 8:06 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
>> In other words (for those using a K3), an additional soundcard may be
>> a better solution than one of the "Digital Interface" boxes.
>
> That depends entirely on the feature set the user needs.
>
> 1) The K3 can not switch between soundcard input and microphone
>    input based on PTT source to support DVK from logging software
> 2) The K3 can not automatically control band switching in an Icom
>    PW-1 or other CI-V compatible accessories.
> 3) The K3 does not have a keyer compatible with the three major
>    contest loggers and several major "day to day" loggers.
>
> I'm sure I can come up with two or three more features if pressed.
> In any case, dismissing the "digital interfaces" rather than helping
> K3 users make their equipment coexist properly is rather short
> sighted.
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe Subich, W4TV
>        microHAM America, LLC.
>        http://www.microHAM-USA.com
>        http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM
>
>
> On 1/9/2011 7:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>    Bob,
>>
>> Your assertion that one does not have to use the normal computer
>> soundcard is well received.  BUT there is no need to use one of the
>> "Digital Interfaces" just to get the soundcard function.  There are
>> plenty of external soundcards available at less cost than the digital
>> interfaces, and for those with desktop computers, adding an internal
>> soundcard (in addition to the normal Windows soundcard) is an easy thing
>> to do.  Most applications will let you select which soundcard should be
>> used.
>>
>> In other words (for those using a K3), an additional soundcard may be a
>> better solution than one of the "Digital Interface" boxes.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 1/9/2011 6:59 PM, Bob Naumann wrote:
>>> The TI-5 has a USB sound card in it. The idea is so you don't have to
>>> interfere with your "normal" computer's sound card.
>>>
>>> I have a TI-5 and it works nicely - although I do FSK RTTY so the 
>>> transmit
>>> levels are not something I have to mess with.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Bob W5OV
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>>> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tony Estep
>>> Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2011 2:50 PM
>>> To: Elecraft
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/RigExpert TI-5
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 2:26 PM, Don Wilhelm<w3fpr at embarqmail.com>   
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> ...With the K3, no digital interface is required...everything needed
>>>> built-in, no need for a separate interface box.
>>>>
>>> What Don said. Start out by hooking the K3 straight to the computer (3
>>> cables: serial, audio in, audio out) and get it working that way. It 
>>> will do
>>> all digital modes, SSB, CW, and everything else without an 
>>> interface. Then
>>> you will know everything works and can adjust levels, etc. After 
>>> that you
>>> can insert an interface if for some reason you need one.
>>>
>>> Tony KT0NY
>