[Elecraft] CW Skimmer & K3

[David Gilbert]

Just to clarify, the +/- 12KHz limitation when using CW SKimmer in IF 
Mode is a function of the software itself imposed by the author of that 
application for reasons that have never been clear to me. CW Skimmer 
will work over wider ranges when separately used with hardware like the 
SDR-IQ or QS1-R, but then again the K3 isn't needed in those cases anyway.

Other SDR software like NaP3 will give a "full range" (limited by 
whatever the sound card is capable of) display even when used with the 
K3 IF output (plus the requisite SDR hardware like the Softrock or 
LP-Pan or SDR-IQ or QS1-R or whatever), but of course won't have the 
on-screen callsign/CW decoding that CW Skimmer does.  And as someone 
recently pointed out, you do need the KXV3A option installed in your K3 
to get the IF out of the K3 in the first place.

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 11/28/2012 10:54 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
>
> That's still limited to +/- 12 KHz for use with CW Skimmer.
>
> By the way, I thought I read somewhere recently that the Softrock Lite 
> for use with the K3 IF was no longer offered by Tony although I could 
> be wrong about that.  If anyone knows for certain, please correct me.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
> On 11/28/2012 4:31 AM, Sam Morgan wrote:
>> check out the SoftRock Lite II SDR receiver from Tony Parks KB9RG.
>> You can use his  8.215 MHz SoftRock Lite II for K3 IF application 
>> that comes with the xtal for the K3'a IF.
>>
>> Then tap the K3's IF through a buffer amp and bandpass filter from 
>> Clifton Laboratories.
>>
>> Run that output into a sound card capable of at least 48khz and you 
>> have your feed for the CW Skimmer software.
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/28/2012 12:09 AM, Gary Smith wrote:
>>> Ah, I'd never heard of sdr-iq but I just looked for info on it and
>>> for a $500 price tag, I'm not interested. The limitation of +/- 12
>>> KHz with an additional piece of hardware doesn't thrill me either. To
>>> just have the audio be worked with has for me no practical function
>>> so I won't bother. I've heard the K3 described as a SDR radio and
>>> thought the needed outputs would be readily available. Apples &
>>> oranges I guess.
>>>
>>> That's what I needed to know & thanks.
>>>
>>> Now back to DX
>>>
>>> Gary
>>> KA1J
>