[Elecraft] FT8 using internal USB sound on the K3S

[Richard Ferch]

It sounds as though you are putting the rig into USB mode. I believe you
would be better off putting the rig into DATA A. Set the rig's mode to DATA
and the data submode to DATA A. With the rig in DATA A, adjust the K3's
filter controls to put the Lo-Cut at around 0.20 and the Hi-Cut around 2.8.
With the rig in DATA A mode, set MIC SEL to LIN (this will not affect your
microphone setting for voice modes). MIC+LIN will be N/A. Adjust the MIC
gain control to somewhere above zero, e.g. LIN 5 or so.

In the WSJT-X Settings window under the Radio tab, if you are not using
some other radio control software such as the DXLab Suite Commander, then
set the CAT control port to the COM port number that Windows has assigned
to the K3S's USB serial port. Set the Mode in WSJT-X to either None or
Data/Pkt - not to USB. For PTT, I prefer to set WSJT-X's PTT method to VOX
and turn VOX on in the K3, or you can use PTT via CAT. Under Split
Operation, choose either Split or Fake It.

In the WSJT-X Settings window under the Sound tab, select the K3S's USB
Audio Codec as the soundcard device for both input and output.

Right-click on the Windows speaker icon in the Windows system tray and
select Playback devices, then select the USB Audio Codec (in the K3S) and
click on the Properties button. Select the Level tab and adjust the level
slider so it is in the middle of the range.

While receiving in WSJT-X with WSJT-X's Monitor function on, adjust the
K3S's LIN OUT level so that band noise alone is enough to bring the level
indicator on the left side of the WSJT-X window to about 30 dB or so. When
receiving actual signals, the level thermometer should not turn red; if it
does, reduce the K3S's LIN OUT level. In the Wide Graph window, you may
need to adjust the waterfall and spectrum gain and zero controls to get a
good looking spectrum and waterfall. I don't check Flatten - if you do,
make sure that the Wide Graph window does not display any frequencies
outside the K3S's filter bandpass.

Now transmitting into a dummy load or a dead band at low power or in TX
Test mode, put WSJT-X into transmit and adjust the Windows level slider
and/or the K3's MIC gain control to get 4-5 bars on the K3's ALC meter.
Once this is adjusted correctly, you should no longer need to adjust either
of these controls. Use the K3's PWR control to adjust the output power. Do
not try to control the output power by changing the audio level. Leave the
Pwr slider on the right side of the WSJT-X window at the top of its range
and don't change it.

73,
Rich VE3KI


W0EB wrote:

For some reason I can't get WSJT-X to pull the input sound or send output
sound to the K3S through the USB port. I know I have some K3S parameter(s)
set wrong, but so far I haven't been able to figure out which ones or how
to change them.

I had this working before so not sure what I did to change it.

Feel like a total dummy, but at 76, I do forget some things - LOL

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jim Sheldon, W0EB

Windows 10 PRO 64bit -I have the USB CODEC in the K3S configured as sound
in and out in device manager and nothing plugged in to the rear of the K3S
other than external speakers in the speaker jack - nothing to MIC or LINE
In or LINE Out.

Menu Settings:
MIC SEL is FP.L
MIC + LIN ON

CONFIG Settings:
KIO3B nor
LIN OUT nor 010
MIC BTN OFF
L --MIX -- R  A  B
RS232  USB
SPKRS  2
SPKR+PH  YES