[Elecraft] KX3 RTTY Mac Software

[Brian Waterworth]

Hi David,

I use FLDigi on Mac.  In fact, I have it running now, connected to my KX3.
I use the KXUSB cable for Rig control; had to load the FTDI drivers that
you can find a link to on Elecraft's site or click here -
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.  FLDigi gives you basic Rig
control.  You can download FLRig if you want more rig control from the
Mac.  There are no specific rig files for the KX3, but choosing the K3 beta
rig control seems to cover about 90% of all the rig control I need from the
computer.  The KX3 is after all sitting right in front of me.  Not hard to
just reach out and change what I need on the rig itself.

I use the KX3 cable with the green patch between the Mic (KX3) and
Headphone jack (Macbook OS X 10.5.8).  I use the cable with the red patch
between the headphone jack (KX3) and the line-in input on the Macbook.  I
also set the VOX on the KX3 so it will transmit when I hit send on FLDigi.
For digital modes, the VOX on the KX3 is excellent.  This really makes your
onboarding to digital modes with the KX3 very very easy and quick.

You will of course need to ensure that the sound levels are not too high on
the Mac (both main sound volume and line-in) and that all sound effects are
turned off in this configuration.  You will need to experiment a bit to get
the Mac levels and the KX3 (AF and Mic Gain) levels right and not too high
to get a nice looking waterfall.  I think my Mic Gain is set at 18 and AF
is 8 in combination with about 30% speaker volume and 50% line-in on the
Mac.  Alternatively, you can use a USB sound card (Soundblaster or Griffin
iMic from Amazon) to give FLDigi a different sound card to use than the
main sound card in your Mac.

You will need to set the KX3 to data and sub-mode Data A.  I also adjust
the bandwidth to 4.0 (PBT I) so that the KX3 sends all that it hears within
the USB bandwidth on 20meters.

That's pretty much it.  Learn FLDigi and run on any platform.  I love HRD
and DM780, but sadly it is Windows only and I have moved on from Windows to
Linux and Mac.  I have installed and executed FLDigi on each platform and
am starting to broaden my macro knowledge in order to control the rig for
contesting.  FLDigi has a good user's guide.  I highly recommend reading it
and consulting it often.  It will help.  With use, you will remember more
and FLDigi will be your goto digital mode program.

One thing I noted about FLDigi with RTTY is that it consumes about 10-15%
more processor cycles than PSK31.  Not sure why and I have changed multiple
config settings in hopes to reduce that load to no avail.  If you are
plugged into the mains, then no problem.  If you are running on a Macbook
on battery, might be a little less running time when portable.

P.S.  I have just recently learned that the Elecraft KX3/PX3 Utility
programs for Mac are only OS X 10.6+ compatible.  So, I either update the
OS or use Linux.  Right now, my main shack computer is Linux.  Not a big
deal for me at this point that I can't run the utility programs on Mac.  I
am getting the Macbook ready for Winter Field day Jan 24-25th and should
have all that I need set-up ahead of time utility wise.

regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

On Thu, Jan 1, 2015 at 1:09 PM, David Ahrendts <davidahrendts at me.com> wrote:

> Total newby to RTTY. Wanna learn it. What Mac OS software do you recommend
> for the KX3 for RTTY and other data?
>
> David A., KC0XT
>
>
>
> David Ahrendts   davidahrendts at me.com
>
>
>
>
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