[Elecraft] OT - WSJT-X & K3s

[Walter Underwood]

I cannot agree with the Signalink USB being inexpensive. It is at least $100 and is inferior to a $12 USB sound interface, specifically the Syba SD-AUD20101.

https://smile.amazon.com/External-Adapter-Optical-Windows-SD-AUD20101/dp/B006SF68P2/ <https://smile.amazon.com/External-Adapter-Optical-Windows-SD-AUD20101/dp/B006SF68P2/>

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Sep 4, 2017, at 5:05 PM, Barry <k3ndm at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Don,
>    I agree with you. I may not have been sufficiently clear. You do need a good stereo card for the spectrum display and another card, typically, for digital modes. I use and usually recommend the Signalink USB for use with digital modes for 2 reasons, they are inexpensive and they can key your transmitter directly. There has been a lot of discussion on what card to use for the spectrum display and a good source of data on cards is available on the LP-Pan site. I won't get into what I do and card I use as I don't want to start another branch in this discussion. Having said that, I am using a good professional level card for spectrum and CW Skimmer.
> 
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
> 
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Don Wilhelm" <donwilh at embarqmail.com>
> To: "Barry" <k3ndm at comcast.net>; "Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT" <KX3.1 at coldrockshotbrooms.com>; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Sent: 9/4/2017 7:55:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT - WSJT-X & K3s
> 
>> Barry,
>> 
>> I would disagree with you on your SignaLink recommendation.
>> The SignaLink is a single channel soundcard, and its sound quality is "just OK" for digital modes.  Yes, there are connecting cables for several transceivers available from SignaLink that make connection to the transceiver easy and straightforward - but those are the only advantages.
>> 
>> There are external soundcards that will do a much better job for a lot less money.  Especially if you are planning to use the RX I/Q outputs on the KX3 or the outputs of LP-Pan for the K3/K3S for a panadapter display.  A good panadapter display wants to use a soundcard with a 192kHz rating and typically 24 bits.
>> You must have a stereo soundcard for the panadapter function, and the SignaLink has only the left channel present.
>> As for the SignaLink VOX, it is generated in the SignaLink from the audio stream.  The KX3, K3/K3S VOX will work just as well as the "PTT" from the SignaLink.  Due to the single channel implementation in the SignaLink, it cannot be used for panadapter applications.
>> 
>> So if you want a soundcard that can be used for both soundcard data modes and a panadapter display, get a good external soundcard (look for 192kHz/24 bits).  It will likely have a lower noise floor than the SignaLink as well.
>> 
>> Soundcards that have been tested for Panadapter use are listed on the www.telepostinc.com website.  There are some there that are 96kHz/24 bit which will not allow the full 192kHz width of the panadapter applications, but that is usable if you only want to display up to 96kHz of the band.
>> 
>> Of course, it you want a superior panadapter display, consider the P3 (for the K3/K3S) or the PX3 for the KX3.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>> 
>> 
>> On 9/4/2017 7:11 PM, Barry wrote:
>> Use a Signalink USB to connect to your KX3 for
>>> digital modes. It uses a USB connection to your computer and will key the transmitter when you tell the software to transmit. The Signalink uses an internal vox to know what to do and an acceptable sound card that will take the radio's audio and feed it to your digital software. You can plug a powered speaker into the Signalink's aux out and that will allow you to change modes without need to do anything that remove the mic and replace it with Signalink's mike cable. This allow greater ease in mode changing, and you can continuously monitor you received audio. Levels are set on the Signalink's front panel.
> 
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