[Elecraft] P3 vs. other panadapter options

[Wes (N7WS)]

I tried the LP-Pan once.  It was OK but became two boxes by the time I had a 
decent external soundcard.  I detested the then available PowerSDR software.  
Probably better now, but I use an SDR-IQ and SpectraVue* software.  Interfaces 
perfectly with the K3/K3S.  Gives both a spectrum and waterfall display, point 
and click tuning and demodulation if you like (I don't). The software knows all 
of the K3 i-f offsets and corrects the frequency display automatically.  I have 
two of them, one on my K3 and another on the K3S.

The SDR-IQ is out of production now but used ones show up frequently.  It's been 
replaced with the Cloud-IQ which is double the price of the going rate for an 
SDR-IQ.  The Cloud-IQ uses Ethernet instead of USB so I'm unclear about 
interfacing with the K3, even though SpectraVue is still used.  I use LP-Bridge 
for USB port sharing between my logging programs, the SDR and the K3s.

*SpectraVue is to me, straightforward.  I have yet to find any other SDR 
software that is easily understood and used by a normal human being.


On 12/24/2015 9:47 AM, Juliean Galak wrote:
> I'm planning on getting a K3s and am wondering about panadapters.  There's obviously the P3, but there are also the computer-based I new like the lp-pan, or using an sdr.  I kind of like having one less box on the desk - there'll be a computer there no matter what.  How's the quality of these solutions compared to the p3?  Especially the integration?
>
> Thanks,
> Juliean
> KD2JPF
>