[Elecraft] What's best Soundcard Interface for KX3

[Don Wilhelm]

George,

You laptop may have only a mono input for the mic/line-in, but for 
digital modes, only one channel is used, so it should work - just be 
sure to turn off sounds from your OS so those are not transmitted on the 
air.

A simple and inexpensive USB soundcard can eliminate the problem of 
sounds from the OS.  Just make certain the USB soundcard is *not* the 
default sound device.

For digital modes, you do not need an expensive interface.  Yes, some 
provide ready made cables to connect with your radio, some have galvanic 
isolation on the audio lines, and some provide PTT to the transceiver, 
but VOX works just great with the KX3 for digital modes (you don't need 
PTT).

The big difference between soundcards (including those built into 
interface boxes) for digital modes is the noise floor of the soundcard.  
You mentioned Signalink, and while popular, it is not the best interface 
available.

Try your laptop internal soundcard before buying anything else, it may 
be all you need.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/10/2016 2:09 PM, George_yv5wz wrote:
> Thank you Don!
>
> So  you mean  I don't need to buy anything just my laptop....that's
> interesting!
>
> however, I'm kind of confuse....why so many brands of expensive interface
> sound card....does it represent any better signal or any using interface
> ?....I mean 100 Box (signlink)  against simple USB soundcard (12 box)
> .....does it really matter?
>
>