[Elecraft] FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

[James Bennett]

Hi Phil,

No cookbook here, but I do have a MacBook Pro / Retina, WSJT-X, and MLDX and occasionally run my KX3 with them. A couple items to consider:

—> Strongly suggest running JTBRIDGE if you do not already have it. It interfaces very, very nicely between WSJT-X and MLDX. Allows, among other things, your completed WSJT-X QSOs to be automatically logged into MLDX.

—> You may run into issues where the audio from WSJT-X output is routed to your MacBook’s internal speakers instead of the external sound card - not a good thing. This is a problem that has been happening for several years sporadically to Mac users. It “may” be related to something Apple did to USB2 code. There have been several work-arounds posted. One is to try USB3 if your MacBook has it. Another is to set your MIDI output to 44,100 instead of 48,000. And another, the one I use, is a USB to Thunderbolt adapter. My external sound card is a Tascam US-125M with USB output. I got the adapter on Amazon and plug the sound card into the Thunderbolt adapter. Works great.

Jim / W6JHB



> On Mar 3, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Philip Alley <pjalley at me.com> wrote:
> 
> Is there a complete “cookbook” for running FT8 with the KX3+PX3 and a MacBook Pro (w OSX 10.13.3)?  I am running MacLogger DX and have ordered a Sabrent USB-C tiny sound card.  The WSJT-X is downloaded but not set up yet. My KX3 is already communicating with Maclogger DX via USB.
> 
> I am unsure about the additional cabling I need and best strategy for rig control.
> 
> Any suggestions from anyone who has been down this road will be greatly appreciated. 
> 
> TNX
> Phil
> AA2EA
> Louisville
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