[Elecraft] KX3 Data A and AFSK-A Mode need help

[Don Wilhelm]

I would like to differ with Dave and say that DATA A should be used for 
soundcard digital modes rather than using a SSB mode on the K3 and KX3 
(may not apply to other brand transceivers).  DATA A is really a SSB mode.
The advantage are that compression is turned off, and the RX EQ is set 
flat, and for the K3 - if the Line In input is used, the switch is 
automatic once set up, no switching cables or fussing with the menu to 
select the proper input.

Yes, DATA A defaults to USB, and the proper use of many data mode 
applications expect that.
The only "problem" is that the RTTY convention is to use LSB, so if the 
software application expects LSB when set for RTTY, then you may have to 
switch sidebands with a hold of the ALT button.  Whether the software 
will do that automatically for you is application dependent.

The alternative for RTTY is to use the MMTTY software and on the KX3/K3 
use AFSK A rather than using a waterfall type software application to 
run RTTY - AFSK A defaults to LSB which is the RTTY convention.  With 
MMTTY, one tunes to the signal with the VFO knob just like the older 
users of RTTY had to do when there was no waterfall displays to click on.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/12/2013 8:57 AM, Dave B wrote:
> On 11 Jun 2013 at 11:31, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>
>> Message: 20
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Data A and AFSK-A Mode need help
>>
>> Use DATA-A mode.
>>
> Snipped
>
>> In general, USB mode should not be used for digital modes at all (of
>> course it can be made to work, with some caveats like those you
>> already mentioned, but it's generally best to steer clear of it).
>>
>> 73, Matt VK2RQ
> Sorry, I beg to differ.
>
> USB is the default standard on all bands/frequencies for PC/souncard
> based digimodes.  It's just heck of a lot easier to let the software
> handle any needed inversion for RTTY or whatever.
>
> Plus, if your software doesn't do the needed math to show the "RF signal
> frequency" on a waterfall, just the audio frequency, then it's a lot
> easier for the wetware behind the eyes to handle too.
>
> The common use of LSB for voiced/phone below 10MHz was an artifiact
> caused by some would say "sloppy design" in early commercialy made Ham
> SSB rigs, that used crystal filters and simple mixing (a legacy from AM
> designs)  It was just cheaper for them to engineer them that way.
>
> There is no reason on earth these days why you *NEED* to use LSB for
> PC/Soundcard based digimodes.  (Or any other mode, it's just what
> everyone got used to with voice mode.  Few if any commercial services use
> LSB at all.)
>