[Elecraft] PSK31 KX3 Elmer needed!

Thu Jul 18 15:07:14 EDT 2013

Basically, there is nothing wrong with your plan. As long as get 
everything adjusted, it should all work like a champ. I realize that 
your approach is $100 cheaper, but if it doesn't work without you 
needing a drink during the process, reconsider and do another Signalink. 
I'm facing a similar issue with interfacing with my collection of 
"stuff". I kinda feel I'll take the path of least grief even if it takes 
a few extra bucks. Best of luck.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

On 7/18/2013 11:10 AM, Ariel Jacala wrote:
> Barry and Don
>
> I have the Signalink USB.  However I have it dedicated to the K2.  For 
> the KX3, I was thinking of creating a dongle with the attenuation 
> resistors Don suggested instead of buying another Signalink.  I 
> realize that I will still have to adjust the soundcard levels to make 
> the TX just tickle the ALC.  Is there a flaw in this plan?
>
> Ariel
>
> > Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 10:20:12 -0400
> > From: k3ndm at comcast.net
> > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PSK31 KX3 Elmer needed!
> >
> > 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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