[Elecraft] KX3 I/Q SDR questions

[Richard Fjeld]

Thanks Dave,

My comments were to address only the pan-adapter aspect.  The SDR-IF 
receiver was the means to achieve a seemingly low cost computerized 
pan-adapter. (I acknowledge that the SDR receiver offers unique features. No 
argument.) I will be interested to see where a 192 KHz card can be bought 
for $120.

I have been trying to run PSDR-IF on an HP with a P4 at 3 GHz.  with a 96 
KHz SoundBlaster card.  The image problem makes it unusable. Yet WinRad 
displays fine. I've used both a Softrock and an LP-PAN.

I have a friend, and I read about others, who are trying to make it work on 
other radios with the same problem.  We can't find the solution. I have been 
told that others are successful. Perhaps it lies with the Video Card which 
you omitted in your cost estimates.

Dick, n0ce

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Gilbert" <xdavid at cis-broadband.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 I/Q SDR questions


> "I have to ask what type of soundcard and computer you are using to 
> accomplish this?
> Also, would you include the total value of your package if I were to 
> purchase the same?"
>
> That's kind of like figuring in the cost of your shack, tower, or 
> antennas.  If you already have a decent computer and sound card, the 
> relevant answer would be zero additional cost since there is some very 
> competent free SDR software out there and the KX3 isn't going to require 
> anything else except an inexpensive cable.  I'm not sure any of that will 
> be any more difficult to install than doing P3 and K3 firmware updates. 
> Worst case, if I didn't already have them, I might factor in the cost of a 
> high end sound card, a video card with outputs for two monitors, and a 
> second monitor.
>
> But just for the sake of argument, a dedicated computer with great 
> software flexibility can be purchased new (or factory refurbished) for 
> less than $300; a low noise, high dynamic range sound card capable of 192 
> KHz band coverage for maybe $120 (see N8LP's list of suggested models); 
> and a dedicated monitor with much larger size and resolution than the P3 
> for around $100.
>
> To each his own, but I think KT0NY is totally correct and I think Elecraft 
> has done an admirable thing by including I/Q outputs in the KX3.  If the 
> KX3 turns out to be significantly less susceptible to mushing of multiple 
> low level in-band signals than the K3, the combination of that and the I/Q 
> outputs might even be enough to make me sell my K3 and buy a KX3.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>