[Elecraft] [KX3] New Product: SPX3 External Speaker

[Don Wilhelm]

Robert,

It is not the KX2/KX3 that decides which channel from the soundcard is 
used, but the PC application software.  In general the left channel is 
used for digital work, but some can reverse it.
So it is best to buffer the PHONES output and send it off to a separate 
jack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/16/2018 12:48 AM, Robert Morris wrote:
>
> Hi Don,
>
> Thanks for your feedback. I'm hoping one volume knob will do the job 
> for everyone else too. Plus, if the KX3 puts out enough signal for the 
> PC, then you don't really want an amplifier in the signal path.
>
> I want to be sure about the channel which needs to go to the sound 
> card. Are you saying the left channel from the KX3 is the one the 
> computer needs, or are you saying the computer needs the signal to be 
> present on the left channel of its input? If it's the latter, then 
> that is already how the SPX3 is wired.
>
> For the first prototype, the stereo output of the KX3 goes into the 
> SPX3 input port, then is split. The left channel goes to the 
> amplifier, and the right goes to the left channel of the output port. 
> Will that do the job, or does the computer really need the signal 
> which originated from the left channel of the KX3? I don't see in the 
> KX3 manual where it specifies which channel the digital mode signal is 
> output. I had assumed it would be on both left and right channels.
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Robert (AG6ZZ)
>
>
> On 2018-04-15 21:24, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Robert,
>>
>> You will need to provide a means of connecting the KX2/KX3 PHONES 
>> output to a soundcard for the use of digital modes.
>>
>> The KXSPA should connect to the left channel since that is the 
>> channel that is normally used by soundcard digital.
>>
>> I think that means you would want to provide a knob controlled gain 
>> control on your active speaker so the sound level to the speakers can 
>> be controlled without disturbing the level to the soundcard being 
>> used for digital modes.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 4/15/2018 11:40 PM, Robert Morris wrote:
>>> First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone for all the great 
>>> feedback I've been getting on the speaker. Here's are some requested 
>>> features:
>>>
>>> 1. One stereo channel to speaker driver and another channel to 
>>> output jack (already in first prototype)
>>>
>>> 2. 12V input (planned is 9-15V, like the KX3)
>>>
>>> 3. Separate powered (active) and unpowered (passive) speakers
>>> The reasons I've gotten for this is that it would save on the weight 
>>> of and inconvenience of charging a second battery
>>>
>>> 4. Separate volume controls for the internal speaker driver and the 
>>> output jack
>>> The reason I've gotten for this is that a computer will need the 
>>> volume set separately from the speaker.
>>> Some have stated the computer's software can adjust the gain on the 
>>> input, and that there only needs to be one volume control for the 
>>> speaker driver. I'll need consensus on this from the digital mode folks.
>>>
>>> 5. USB power output
>>> This would be convenient for those who wish to use their speakers as 
>>> phone chargers.
>>>
>>> Things to consider:
>>>
>>> A. Making two different speakers substantially increases 
>>> manufacturing costs for the most expensive part; the enclosure. 
>>> Since most folks will be fine with just one speaker, then the lower 
>>> production numbers of the passive speaker would make its per unit 
>>> cost much higher than the active one. However, folks would expect a 
>>> lower price on the passive one. So, I'd have to sell them as pairs 
>>> to justify manufacturing the passive ones, which would mean a higher 
>>> cost to consumers who only want the active one. It would also 
>>> increase the cost to those who want both because of the two 
>>> different enclosures instead of just one enclosure twice.
>>>
>>> B. The one issue which would force making both an active and a 
>>> passive speaker is the need stated by some respondents that the 
>>> active one would require a second volume control for the output to 
>>> the computer for digital modes. It would be expensive and time 
>>> consuming for me to try every digital mode software on every 
>>> operating system, so I need confirmation whether this is truly 
>>> necessary.
>>>
>>> C. If a second volume control is not truly necessary, then that 
>>> simplifies things tremendously. I'll wait for consensus on this 
>>> before going into why.
>>>
>>> D. A USB power output port is beyond the scope of the speaker's 
>>> intended utility. Also, it would draw down the battery at the cost 
>>> of significantly limiting how long the speaker could be used before 
>>> needing a recharge. Furthermore, the extra hole and port would 
>>> increase the cost while reducing ingress protection. Lastly, there's 
>>> not much room in the small enclosure to accomodate nonessential items.
>>>
>>> Thanks and 73,
>>> Robert (AG6ZZ)
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