[Elecraft] K3S's built-in RTTY

[Don Wilhelm]

Don,

I think the use of the K3/K3S on digital modes is easy.  If you are 
using soundcard digital modes, put the K3/K3S into DATA A mode, and 
adjust the soundcard output level to about 75%.  Change the MIC SEL to LINE.
You connect the soundcard line out (Spkr) to the K3 LINE IN and the 
soundcard line in to the K3 LINE OUT.  If you are using the K3S internal 
soundcard, those cables are not used.  Make certain there is nothing 
connected to the K3S LINE IN jack.

Adjust the K3 LINE level ("MIC GAIN") to produce 4 bars solid with the 
5th bar flashing on the ALC meter while your digital mode application is 
'transmitting'.  You can put the K3 into TX TEST for that adjustment so 
you do not emit any RF.

If you are doing RTTY, use the AFSK A data submode, it defaults to LSB. 
DATA A defaults to USB.

The major problem with folks starting out in digital modes is not with 
the radio, but with the digital mode application.  It requires setup, 
selection of the COM port, selection of the right soundcard, the correct 
rig, and other settings.  So refer to the instructions for whatever 
software you are using.
If those instructions tell you to set the radio's power to full and use 
the audio level to adjust the power output, ignore that (and similar 
internet advice) - that does not work well with Elecraft gear, use the 
information given above to set the audio level and set the desired power 
with the power knob.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/9/2017 9:13 AM, Don Pomplun wrote:
> Thanx for all the good points raised for this RTTY-wannabee, morphing
> from CW.  I always get Fred's books even before buying the Elecraft
> hardware, but even with his excellent explanations of the terse official
> manuals, digital mode use is still a lot of digestion.  e.g., it was
> only yesterday that it became obvious that the K3S has its own sound
> card built in (I think I'm right). I draw the analogy between the K3 and
> what was said of Mozart: '"too many notes".