[Elecraft] Hopeless Confused - K3 and Digital Modes

[Gary K9GS]

Hello all,

OK...I decided I need some help from people who have done this before. 
I know this is pretty long-winded and I'd be happy to take this off of 
the reflector if desired.

I had planned on spending this weekend reconfiguring the shack but 
before I started adding cables, changing software configurations and K3 
menu items I better get a plan in place.

I want to explore operating digital modes on the HF bands.  Primarily, 
I'm interested in RTTY and PSK.  Right now, 90% of my operating is CW 
and a little SSB thrown in. DXing and contesting are my primary interests.

I'm pretty computer savvy but my knowledge of digital modes and radio 
interfacing is limited to CW and N1MM/Logger32.

I should note that during the HK0NA operation I did try using the K3 
utility to work them on RTTY.  I was able to receive OK but spend a LOT 
of time trying unsuccessfully to work them.  I was able to transmit but 
I suspect I had something screwed up with mark/space tones in the K3 
set-up.  In the monitor of the K3 I heard "RTTY" tones but had no idea 
if they were the correct ones.  This is what has finally spurred me to 
get all of this figured out.

My current configuration consists of the following:

*PC running XP Pro
*1 serial port (currently connected directly to the K3 for CAT control)
*1 parallel port (I used to use this port for CW keying of the K3.  I 
just recently purchased a WK-USB to take over this task.
*Multiple USB ports (1 being currently used for the WK-USB)

*K3 w/sub-receiver
*CW QSK using the WK-USB and either N1MM or Logger32 (see below)
*When I operate SSB I use a Heil headset connected to the front panel 
through a Heil adapter and I use a foot switch for PTT connected to the 
K3 rear panel.

WK-USB for CW keying and a paddle plugged into the WK-USB for sending by 
hand.

For contesting I use N1MM.
For day to day operation I use Logger32 for logging.  I am leaning very 
heavily towards changing to DX Labsuite, however.

All that said, I'm trying to figure out the highest performance solution 
for adding in digital modes, primarily RTTY but also sound-card modes 
like PSK.

I've been to countless web sites, reviewed postings on this and other 
forums and the more I read the more I am confused with which way to proceed.

I like the idea of using a separate sound-card so that the integrated 
sound-card in my PC can be used with pair of speakers for normal 
computer tasks.

I thought about buying a Signalink USB for the separate sound-card but 
the more I look at this if I ever want to use the sub receiver on the K3 
for RTTY, I'm only 1/2 way there...I would need to buy a second 
Signalink USB USB for the sub receiver.  To do this I would need to run 
separate instances of, MTTY I believe??

I also thought about going the MicroHam/Rigblaster route but before I 
spend hundreds of dollars and still not know if this is a complete 
solution I thought I'd seek some advice.

Then I thought about buying two USB sound-cards with one going to each 
receiver.  A quick look on Amazon shows these ranging in cost from less 
than $1.00 (yes, I saw one for $0.48 today) to over $100.

And then the whole topic of how to best place the K3 into transmit has 
me very confused.  Do I build a RS-232 interface box like the one W3YY 
describes at http://w3yy.com/fsk.htm ?  This would allow FSK RTTY 
operation too which I understand is the best way to go but then I've got 
the problem of needing an additional RS232 port on my computer.  I also 
thought I could press my old parallel-port interface (that I used to use 
for CW keying of the K3) to perform the PTT task but I don't know if 
this is supported by the software applications above (N1MM, 
Logger32/DXLabsuite).  This is probably the area I'm most confused about.

I figure someone out there must be using the same radio, software 
combinations I do and has already figured this out.

Again, thanks in advance for your guidance.


-- 


73,

Gary K9GS

Check out K9NS on the web:  http://www.k9ns.com
Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com

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