[Elecraft] K3 Win4k3Suite Question

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2018-10-30 11:21 AM, Richard Ferch wrote:
 >
> You said you wanted to be able to use a spectrum scope. For that you
> will need some kind of software defined radio (SDR) external to the
> K3. I believe Win4K3Suite can use any SDR for which there is an ExtIO
> dll file available, such as one of the SDRplay RSP devices. Whichever
> SDR you use, it must be capable of operating at HF.

As an alternative, you will need an IF to I/Q conversion device
(SoftRock, LP-Pan, etc.) and a sound card capable of 96KHz sample
rate (preferably 24 bit).

The SDR (e.g., the basic SDRPlay RSP) is probably less expensive than
the I/Q demodulator/high end sound card option these days but if one
already has a suitable sound card, the demodulator might work.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2018-10-30 11:21 AM, Richard Ferch wrote:
> The two connectors you mentioned are actually a DE-9 RS232 port, for radio
> control communications with the computer, and a DE-15 ACC port, which is
> generally used for communicating with other station equipment such as a
> power amplifier, band switches, bandpass filters, automatic antenna tuners,
> FSK (RTTY) keying interfaces, and so on. The RS232 port is certainly needed
> by Win4K3Suite, but to the best of my knowledge, the ACC port is not needed
> to operate with Win4K3Suite.
> 
> In order to use the RS232 port, you will need either a serial cable to a
> serial port in the computer, or a USB to serial adapter (such as the KUSB -
> but not the KXUSB).
> 
> You said you wanted to be able to use a spectrum scope. For that you will
> need some kind of software defined radio (SDR) external to the K3. I
> believe Win4K3Suite can use any SDR for which there is an ExtIO dll file
> available, such as one of the SDRplay RSP devices. Whichever SDR you use,
> it must be capable of operating at HF.
> 
> You did not mention whether the K3 you are looking at has the KXV3 option
> installed. This has five BNC connectors on it, for IF Out, XVTR In and Out,
> and RX Ant In and Out. This option is highly useful, although not 100%
> necessary, for use with an SDR for a spectrum display.
> 
> If your K3 does not have the KXV3 option installed, you will need some way
> to connect the SDR to an antenna, and some means to isolate that SDR from
> the antenna whenever you are transmitting, such as an external
> transmit/receive switch controlled by the K3.
> 
> There is more information on this in the Win4K3Suite documentation.
> 
> 73,
> Rich VE3KI
> 
> 
> N7TB wrote:
> 
> I am looking to purchase a preowned K3.  I currently own a KX3 that I have
> interfaced to Win4K3Suite.
> 
> The K3 that I am considering buying has the two 9 pin Din plugs in the back,
> one ACC and one DATA.
> 
> I am not financially able to purchase a P3 currently and want to use the
> spectrum scope on the Win4K3Suite to do that for me.
> 
> What do I need to have to be able to interface the K3 to Win4K3Suite in
> order to get the spectrum scope to work.