[Elecraft] Hopeless Confused - K3 and Digital Modes

Sat Feb 11 19:47:39 EST 2012

Hi Gary,

Just download Ham Radio Delux (version 5.1 has just been released and 
this version is still free) and connect the output of your computer 
sound lines speakes and microphone directly to the computer.

This is what I have done with mine.

I run all the digital modes this way and I mean all.    I even have JT65 
and other modes not supported by HRD but connecting to it for the log 
book.

Its relatively easy to set up, and I say that based on the fact that I 
got it running and if you read my posts you know I need lots of help in 
this hobby.

So take advantage of the fact the the k3 does not need a seperate sound 
card  and get your feet wet.  Then if you want a sound card for other 
computer stuff you can either get one or disconnect stuff.  In any case 
you can get started while you figure out what you want for the other 
sound card system.

Personally I have a seperate PC for my ham shack that I dont do the 
general surfing stuff and it only gets software specfically for my 
hamming activities.  I want to minimize any chances of virusus which 
have killed me twice.

Anyway good luck and you will get support on this reflector for sure.

Cheers

~73
Don
KD8NNU

On Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 4:12 PM, Gary K9GS wrote:

> 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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