[Elecraft] Help setting up digital

Don Wilhelm donwilh at embarqmail.com
Sun Mar 19 15:47:49 EDT 2017


I should add one thing which is not always obvious to new users of data 
mode software --
You have to tell the software which COM port to use for rig control qnd 
proper display of the frequency.
You also have to tell the software which soundcard you are using for the 
data mode audio.
For details on that, refer to the documentation of whatever data mode 
software you have chosen to use.

73,
Don W3FPR

------------------------------------------------------------------
Don and Ronnie,

Let me see if I can help by pointing out the differences between the 
Elecraft transceivers K3, K3S, KX2 and KX3 and other transceivers in the 
use of data modes.

The following points are directed at soundcard oriented data modes.

1) Use DATA A instead of the normally recommended USB.  While USB will 
work, you normally have the SSB set up for voice, including compression 
and TX EQ.  The data modes automatically turn compression to zero and 
turn off TX EQ.

2) For RTTY, use AFSK A - that is specifically designed for RTTY and 
defaults to LSB which is normal for RTTY.

3) Audio levels - ignore the internet advice to adjust the power with 
the audio level.  Adjust the audio to illuminate 4 bars solid on the ALC 
meter with the 5th bar flashing.  This is the "NO ALC" point for these 
Elecraft transceivers - the first 4 bars are present to allow you to 
properly adjust the audio.  Once adjusted, you should not have to change 
it unless something changes it in the computer.

4) Output power - adjust the desired power level with the POWER knob. Do 
not try to adjust the power with the audio level.

5) LINE IN - It is easy to use LINE IN for soundcard data modes than 
attempting to use the microphone.  If you have the K3S or K3 with the 
KIO3B, you can use the internal soundcard which your computer should 
recognize as USB CODEC.  If using the internal soundcard, do not plug 
anything into the K3S LINE IN jack, because that will take precedence 
over the output of the internal soundcard.
6) For a K3 without the KIO3B, you CAN use the computer's built-in 
soundcard, but you will find an external soundcard will serve you 
better.  (You can use the computer or USB soundcard with the K3S instead 
of the K3S internal soundcard).  The LINE IN and LINE OUT signals are 
isolated with transformers and no data mode interface is required.

That about takes care of the differences between the K3/K3S and other 
non-Elecraft transceivers.  The operation of the data mode software will 
be the same as for any other transceiver.

PSK D and FSK D data modes are there if you want to do other than 
soundcard oriented data
They can encode data entered as CW via the paddles (not from a computer, 
bug or straight key)  The display of decoded text is scrolled on the VFO 
B display area.  The input can also be from the computer as ASCII 
characters.
In the case of FSK D, the FSK keying from a 'one transistor keying 
circuit' can be applied to the FSK pin on the ACC connector.

The hardest part for a newbie to data modes is normally getting the 
computer software set up and learning to operate it.  This is a problem 
for any transceiver, it is not unique to the Elecraft gear.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/19/2017 2:40 PM, Don Pomplun wrote:
> I, too echo my sense of confusion with my K3S and data modes. With 4
> Data Modes to select from, a couple of which support the keyer paddle,
> and some external audio connections, and some that use the USB cable,
> not to mention the fact that there is a built-in "sound card" capability
> . . .
>
> A few times I've sat down and tried to summarize all this for myself
> with no luck, even with Fred's book.  So far I've managed to decode both
> RTTY and PSK31 signals via the Utility progam, and with MMTTY for RTTY.
> I hesitate to take the "just shut up and do it" approach, preferring
> instead to understand what's going on.
>
> Maybe some one has already published a "white paper" on this topic.  The
> ARRL books on digital aren't much help because of the unique
> capabilities of the K3S.
>
> TIA    Don K2BIO
>
>
> On 03/19/2017 01:44 PM, w5sum at comcast.net wrote:
>> howdy friends
>> I recently upgraded my K3 by adding the KIO3BUPKT  KIO3B Upgrade Kit
>> for K3.  I would love to start working digital. I’m a total and
>> complete newbie at digital. I need someone who is willing to walk me
>> through step by step in setting this up.
>> I’m primarily interested in RTTY only.  I did buy a Signal Link USB
>> before I purchased the KIO3 Upgrade, but never used it. I understand
>> that with the KIO3B Upgrade I DO NOT need the signal link.
>>
>> I run Windows 7 on my computer. Rig control with the K3 and N1MM is
>> working great.
>>
>> I use N1MM and would like to work RTTY with that. I don’t want to
>> clutter up with a bunch of different programs.
>>
>> Anyone willing to help out a Digital Newb?
>>
>> Thanks and God Bless
>>
>> Ronnie W5SUM


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