[Elecraft] Fixed audio output missing on the KX3?

[Martin Storli - LA8OKA]

I was going thrugh the manual today, and it seems that a fixed audio output is missing entirely from the KX3, why?
Fixed audio output is important for us who routinely run digimodes.
There is also a lack of a separate audio input, which is just as important when running digimodes.
 
So to run digimodes, it seems to me that I will have to disconnect the microphone and connect a suitable audio interface to the mic connector, and also to the speaker/headphone output, then I need to adjust the mic gain and the speaker volume on the KX3, and then do similar adjustments on the interface/PC. Quite cumbersome, when it all should have been included in an ACC connector on the KX3.
Both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have miniDIN connectors on the back with audio in, audio out and PTT, something similar would have been a big advantage on the KX3 when running digimodes.
 
When microphone and headphone jacks are used for digimodes, it will mute the speaker, and it will make it take unnecessary long time to change from digimodes to SSB/CW and vice versa.
 
Yes, I know that the KX-3 utility program supports CW, RTTY and PSK-31 through the digital interface, but that program is kind of limited in functionality and modes. On the FT-817 and IC-703 and others as well, it's just a matter of changing the frequency and the mode (if the Data modes are employed).
 
I think this is a real shortcomming on the KX3!
 
Will it be possible for a future upgrade to the KX3 to install a miniDIN (or a separate jack) to accommodate a fixed level audio output, audio input and PTT input? (Yes, I understand that drilling or case replacement will be involved is such an upgrade.)
 
The best upgrade will of course be a built-in USB Interface with and integrated USB sound card, like the IC-7600, TS-590 etc...
  
Martin Storli 
LA8OKA
Oslo, Norway 
 
ARCTICPEAK's Radio pages! 
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