[Elecraft] KX3 and P3 Adapter

[Mark Petiford]

Even with a cheap soundcard, you should be able to see something other than noise...unless the band is dead.  Can you tune around the band and hear signals on the KX3?  If not, you aren't going to see anything on the PC.  A lower quality soundcard should not limit WHAT is displayed, but it will probably display things that aren't really there as a result of ground loops, dc-offset in the card, etc.  Those thing usually don't move as you tune the KX3 since they are introduced downstream of the radio.  Real RF signals will move as you re-tune the radio.

I don't use HDSDR, but have in the past using Softrock radios.  Getting it set up properly can be difficult because it has lots of options.  I was active in the Softrock Yahoo group several years ago, and most everyone would use Rocky SDR software (www.dxatlas.com/Rocky) to get their radios up and running.  If you can get Rocky to access the soundcard (it requires exclusive access), then it will faithfully display what it sees at the mic or line input of the PC.  It is a rock solid program <blushing at the pun> with a really great frequency domain display.  Unfortunately, it can't control the KX3, so I use it as a pan adapter only with FLDIGI as my main program (they both run at the same time).


A good way to test is with a separate signal source rather than relying on signals on the bands.  I use an old Norcal signal generator which generates signals every 5 khz.  When I see these signals, and they move when I tune the radio, I know I am demodulating the IQ stream.


Don't hesitate to come back hear and ask more questions.  I am sure some of the folks using HDSDR can help...or give Rocky a try.

Mark
KE6BB



________________________________
 From: KM4VX <roncerra at earthlink.net>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 and P3 Adapter
 
... Not receiving signals, just noise. Question: What sound cards are
people finding useful? My generic Realistic PC sound card is apparently
inadequate...