[Elecraft] OT - WSJT-X & K3s

[Neil Zampella]

HI all ..

As a KX3/PX3/KXPA100 owner, with over 1,000 JT65/JT9/FT8 QSOs in my log, 
I can honestly say the only things you need to run WSJT-X on your KX3 
are these:

1.  Good Soundcard with a 48kHz DVD quality input/output.  I use a Sound 
Blaster SBx pro USB soundcard picked up from Amazon.  There are cheaper 
USB sound cards available, but I went with a known producer of quality 
sound cards.  I've been using Sound Blaster cards since the 1990's.

2.  The KXUSB cable.  This is used for CAT control from the KX3 to the PC.

3.  Two stereo cables for audio input & output. I use the cables that 
came in the KX3-PCKT cable kit.   Work like a charm

That's all I need externally.  However, I would definitely run the ** 
KX3 VFO TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION, if you have not done it.   You will 
need a good signal source.  I just picked up the XG50 kit from Elecraft.

As far as WSJT-X settings:

Radio tab:
Rig: Elecraft K3/KX3
Serial Port:  you need to check to see what windows lists as the COM 
port, should be the same as used by the KX3 Utility
Baud Rate:  same as the Utility, 38400
Data Bits:  Eight      Stop Bit:  2  (never touched these,probably the 
WSJT-X default)
Handshake:  None
No need to mess with the Force Control Lines.

PTT Method:  CAT
Transmit Audio Source (Should be grayed out)
Mode:  Data/PKT
Split:  Rig (its what I use as I have the KXLF3 filter installed

Click the Test CAT button, it should turn green.  Click the Test PTT, it 
should turn RED.  Click it again to turn off.

On the AUDIO Tab, you need to select the soundcard you're going to 
use.   Its always a good idea NOT to use the internal card, as you have 
system sounds going through that too.   Which is why an external 
soundcard of some type is recommended.

Input:  Line IN on the SBx soundcard (Speaker input on KX3)
Output:  Speaker on the SBx soundcard (Mic input on KX3)

Finally, you must make sure you have a good time SYNC program install on 
your PC.    Your time must be sync'd to within 1 sec as FT8 is much more 
demanding on time sync than other digital modes.

Hope this helps,

Neil, KN3ILZ

KX3/PX3/KXPA100

On 9/4/2017 8:05 PM, Barry 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.
>
>