[Elecraft] PSK31 KX3 Elmer needed!

Thu Jul 18 10:20:12 EDT 2013

Don/Dave,

     Let me start with I use a SignalLink USB and the cables supplied 
with my Windows7 PC. I find that it is not necessary to do anything to 
interface except just plugging in the cables. The SignaLink has its own 
sound card and front mounted pots for level adjustments. This 
arrangement works fine here.

     Now having said what I do, I'll relate some things that I have seen 
that have caused real problems. Probably, the largest number of failures 
that I have encountered is the failure of laptop computer sound cards of 
transmitting and receiving on the same frequency. I have not 
investigated as to why this happens, but it does. Some digital mode  
software allow you to calibrate this problem out; Apple and the 
SignaLink don't seem to have this problem. Some use VOX to key their 
transmitters, but don't set it correctly. The last major failure I have 
seen is over driving the radio so that the distortion is too high for 
the other guy to demod and decode; you really need to keep your transmit 
levels well within the linear region of your transmitter. That means 
don't allow the ALC to kick much and NO compression.


73,
Barry
K3NDM


On 7/17/2013 8:32 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Dave,
>
> It sounds like you are being frustrated by all the choices available.  
> If you want to end up with Fldigi, I suggest you start with that 
> application.  It is multi-platform and will work the same on a PC or a 
> Mac.
>
> The first thing you need to get a grasp on is the audio levels 
> involved. That does require you to have some familiarity with the PC 
> or Mac that you are using and its soundcard input/output levels.
>
> Usually, one takes the computer audio output from the Line out jack 
> (the green one).  That will be fed to the KX3 MIC input, but the level 
> is about 100 times too high, so an attenuator is needed. Usually a 100 
> K resistor in series with the Line out signal and a 10k resistor on 
> the KX3 side will do the job.
>
> On the other direction, the KX3 headphone output will provide the 
> audio to the computer.  This will be fed to the computer Line In or 
> lacking that the Mic Input.  Again an attenuator will be required. If 
> you are using the computer Line In level, a 10k resistor in series 
> with the KX33 headphone output and a 10k resistor across the line on 
> the computer side will do nicely, but if you are using the computer 
> mic input, the series resistor should be increased to 10k.
>
> If you are dealing with stereo inputs and outputs on the computer, the 
> normal applications will only use the left channel which is the 
> connection to the tip of the soundcard jack.
>
> That should get you started.  As far as Fldigi is concerned, I would 
> suggest using RigCAT and selecting the K3 as the rig in the pulldown 
> menu.  Use PTT thru RigCAT and it should work.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/17/2013 6:10 PM, Esquer Dave wrote:
>> Hi folks,
>> HF Newbie frustrated with PSK-31 setup on my new KX3. I have tried 
>> everything with no joy. I need an ELMER! I've tried so many 
>> permutations that all of my hair has fallen out!
>>
>> I have PC and Mac laptops, Digipan 2.0, Fldigi, PSKer (for iPad) and 
>> am missing ALL of the basic setup knowledge to get this stuff 
>> working. I've played all the Youtube videos too, especially KD0BIK's, 
>> but I'm still stuck in the basic hardware and software setup.
>>
>> I would like to first try PC Digipan, but am open to anything.
>>
>> Somewhere, there must be a simple step-by-step setup recipe to 
>> interface the KX3, its microphone and headphone cables and the mic 
>> input, headphone output from the computer. I also have a Griffin iMic 
>> that I've attempted to throw into the mix, again with no joy.
>>
>> I've read the Data Modes section in the manual and Chapter 7 Digital 
>> Modes of the Fred Cady book. They just add to my confusion.
>>
>> Looking at the Fred Cady book, Figure 7.4 and 7.5 and Chapter 7 
>> sections 7.4 (107-108) and 7.7 (121-122), ALL remain a mystery to me, 
>> which hookup do I use?
>>
>> My assumptions so far:
>> Low power, 5 watts or less
>> I need to put the KX3 into Data A mode, not PSK-D
>> I can interface the KX3 to the computer without the iMic or other 
>> external sound card (figure 7.5 of Fred's book)? (Should/how/why do I 
>> use the iMic?)
>> I need to set the MIC BTN to OFF
>>
>> I would eventually like to end up with PSK31 working on my Mac (with 
>> Fldigi), but I'd like to get it working on the PC laptop first to 
>> help me understand all of its nuances.
>>
>> Arghhh … please help a newbie!
>> 73,
>> Dave, K6WDE
>> dave.esquer at gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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