[Elecraft] K3-PSK/RTTY Question

[Tom Azlin N4ZPT]

Hi Bill,

For my K3 I do just as you say. A serial cable plus two audio cables 
connected to the line in/out of my computer sound card and my K3. Tossed 
my homebrew interface I used with my FT-1000 in the parts box.

However my laptop does not have line in/out and so far the KX3 does not 
have line in/out. I get odd noise that looks like hum plus some scruff 
when I connect my KX3 directly to my laptop. It works but do not want to 
transmit the noise. So some sort of isolation and level adjusting is 
needed beyond just the computer sliders and KX3 mike gain and speaker 
level adjustment. Seems to me that is.

So for my KX3 I just picked up the TRRS and TRS right angle connectors 
and plan to hook up one of my unterminated SL-USB cables ( short 
Ethernet cut in half) to play. Given the SL-USB is in my go kit anyway 
with my laptop.  May use one of the inexpensive interface boards I found 
on eBay with a couple transformers and transistor switch. Or just grab 
some resistors and audio isolation transformers out of my parts boxes, 
i.e. dust off my old interface board.

So yes, with the KX3 seems an interface is needed. Was very happy to 
read that in the future a firmware update might include having the 
speaker out and microphone in be switched to line out and in for  the 
data modes.

What do you use with your KX3???

73, tom n4zpt


On 5/3/2012 9:32 AM, nr4c wrote:
> Hi, Steve,
> \
> I really think the SL-USB is a real nice interface if you need an
> interface.  But in my opinion, for the K3/KX3 it is over-kill.  I use
> two stereo audio cables between the sound card and the K3 and it works
> just fine.  The K3 is already buffered and isolated with transformers
> (KX3 will not be).  Unless you need the sound card for computer sounds
> and/or other audio uses, I'd just use the computer sound card.  PTT can
> be handled via the serial CAT cable.
>
> ....bill  nr4c
>
>
> On Thu, 03 May 2012 07:32:45 -0400, Steve wrote:
>> Good Morning All,
>> I have a K3 and am awaiting my KX3....soon I hope...
>> My question is that I am wanting to put the K3 on
>> PSK and RTTY and I'm wondering if
>> my choice of the Signalink USP  is a good choice
>> for these modes with the K3 and hopefully the KX3
>> Tnx es VY73'
>> Steve W8CRH
>> SEMPER FI
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