[Elecraft] SDR-IF and I/Q questions

[Don Wilhelm]

Ed,

The SDR-IQ apparently uses the USB connection for both audio stream and 
rig control, but the KX3 does not.
The I/Q output of the KX3 is baseband audio, which would need to be fed 
to a soundcard.  The rig control is separate and will communicate with 
the KX3 through the RS-232 serial connection, so if you don't have a 
real serial port, you will need a USB to serial adapter to achieve that 
connection.

BTW - there seems to be nothing "universal" about the "Universal Serial 
Bus" - each device version seems to be different requiring its own 
driver.  OTOH, the basic RS-232 port has always been "universal" - it 
just works because there are no "bells and whistles" (but that is 
getting a bit off-topic, thanks for listening to my rant).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/10/2011 5:28 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote:
> Don,
>
> Not trying to be argumentative, but...
>
> The SDR-IQ uses a USB-2.0 interface and not audio.  Some SDR actually
> provide A/D conversion inside the box with digital output
> streams.  The units you mentioned are audio-baseband.
>
> The only issue would whether one needed a good soundcard or not.
>
> I understand that many sw provide for radio control so need that
> access (whether via USB or RS232).  K3 being one of those that offer
> external control.  I wonder if the KX3 will have that ability, as well?
>
> Very handy for the "click frequency" operations on sw like psk-31
> (variants).  The eme SDR sw (Linrad) that I am using has this ability
> (if proper drivers are available for the radio).
>
>