[Elecraft] [K3S] Soundcard levels

[Don Wilhelm]

Jim,

I am going to assume you are running Windows.
To the computer, the "soundcard" in the K3S is little different than any 
other USB soundcard, except the 'external box' happens to the inside the 
K3S.

That means you have soundcard levels in the computer which can be adjusted.
Right click on the speaker icon near the clock and first select Playback 
Devices
In the window that opens, select the CODEC for the K3S and click in the 
Properties box at the bottom right.  Once Properties open, click on the 
Levels tab.  Reduce the Playback level enough so you can obtain a 
workable LINE IN level on the K3S and still achieve an ALC meter reading 
of 4 bars with the 5th bar flashing when you "transmit" with the 
software application.  Mid-range settings of the LINE IN level will give 
you more granularity and make the required ALC setting more easily 
achieved.  Use TX TEST while making those adjustments so you don't 
actually produce any RF.

Going the 'other way around', adjust the K3S LINE OUT level and the 
soundcard recording level to achieve reasonable values for each - there 
is nothing wrong with a line out setting of 5.  Try not to use a LINE 
OUT level of 10 or more.
If the soundcard shows both MIC input and LINE INput, select LINE.  If 
you must use the MIC setting, make certain the mic preamp is not tuned 
on.  Adjust the K3S LINE OUT and the soundcard Line In (or Mic) slider 
to achieve a good colored waterfall display in your software application.

Using the internal CODEC (soundcard) in the K3S should be no different 
than using most any other external soundcard.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 7/16/2017 1:54 PM, Jim N7US wrote:
> The Windows recording and playback levels of the soundcard in my K3S seem to
> both be very sensitive.  For RTTY, other digital modes, and voice messages I
> have the level set at only 5 for recording and 18 for playback.
> 
>   
> 
> I have my LIN OUT in the K3S set to only 5 for RTTY reception (recording)
> and to 14 for digital mode TX (playback).