[Elecraft] KX3 RTTY Mac Software

[Scott Simpson]

I second FLDigi and using the phones output.  i kept trying to use the rxiq
out and that doesn't work.  make sure you bump your filters all they way
out.  there are some interesting logging and contesting apps, but you can
do all that with fldigi/fllog/flrig.

scott
sasimpson at gmail.com

On Thu, Jan 1, 2015 at 1:02 PM, Brian Waterworth <brian.waterworth at gmail.com
> wrote:

> 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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