[Elecraft] HRD and K3

[Richard Ferch]

I don't use HRD, but the configuration should be basically the same 
regardless of which software you use. My guess as to what was wrong 
initially would be sound card output level too low or muted, but since 
then you have made changes in the wrong direction.

First, you didn't mention which mode you were trying to use, but I am 
assuming it is a sound card digital mode. In digital modes, you should 
put the K3 into DATA A mode. In principle it is possible to use USB, but 
you have to change all sorts of other settings between digital modes and 
SSB (audio input selection, TX and RX EQ off, compression off, and maybe 
different Vox settings). Using DATA A relieves you of all that 
reconfiguring every time you change modes. If your software doesn't want 
to let you use DATA A, maybe it isn't configured correctly for the K3.

Next, since your sound card's output is connected to the K3's Line In 
jack, then MIC SEL should be set to Line In. That's where the audio 
input will be coming from. This setting is remembered separately in DATA 
A vs. phone modes.

In digital modes, MIC+LIN should be Off (actually it will be N/A when 
MIC SEL is set to Line In). You do not want room sounds, fan noise, your 
breathing or anything you say being transmitted on top of the digital 
signal.

The MIC level control (which will actually be the LINE level control 
with MIC SEL = Line In) is set in conjunction with the computer's sound 
card level control. With the transmitter connected to a dummy load 
and/or transmit power dialed down to nothing, set the software to 
transmit using an audio frequency in the middle of the waterfall, put 
the computer's playback level control for the sound card you are using 
somewhere in the middle of its range (not all the way up and not all the 
way down), and adjust the LINE level on the K3 and/or the computer's 
level control until the K3's "ALC" meter reads 4-5 bars. To adjust the 
transmitted signal power, use the PWR control - don't change the 
MIC/LINE gain control once it is set correctly.

There are several different ways to control TX/RX switching, but it 
appears as if you have one working, so we don't need to go into that 
unless you are having problems with it.

73,
Rich VE3KI


HK2LS wrote:

> I have my K3 connected to the PC and the K3 software works fine.
>
> I have 2 audio cables between Line IN and Line Out of the K3 to the Mic and
> Speakers on the PC.
>
> With HRD - I see the QSOs on the screen and of course the waterfall display
> at the bottom with an Audio level of 10%.    When I attempt to call CQ -
>
> The K3 goes into transmit but there is no power coming out of the radio.
>
> MIC SEL was set to Line In I changed it to FP
>
> MIC+LIN was set to NA and I set it ON and the MIC level is set to 60.
>
> Still no difference.
>
> Any other ideas??