[Elecraft] Fw: KX3 with KX3 Companion application

[Dave Fugleberg]

The original question was not about a PC at all - it was about an Android
app called KX3 Companion running on an Android tablet.

The application website states in one place that the USB cable that comes
with the KX3, plus an OTG cable, are all that is needed.  However, later in
states that a new feature has been added to display the audio spectrum and
waterfall, and this requires one extra cable (from audio outpu of the KX3
to the audio input jack of the Android device).

 Aubrey, you didn't say whether you got the CAT control functions of the
app working or not.  I'd advise you to make sure that's working before
dealing with the waterfall/spectrum display.

It's important with Android apps like this that you have a true "OTG"
cable, AND that your Android device includes OTG support (not all do).

The OTG cable lets you plug USB devices (like thumb drives, keyboards,
etc.) into an Android device. Some cables have the proper connectors but
are not wired to support OTG, so make sure you have the right cable.

You must also verify that your tablet supports OTG in the first place. Look
for an app called USB OTG Checker - this will tell you whether your tablet
supports OTG.  If so, any OTG cable should work, and you should be able to
control the KX3 with the app.

Once that works, you can connect the audio output from the KX3 to the
tablet's microphone input and see if the spectrum display works. Depending
on your tablet, you may need some kind of adapter to split out the
microphone input (some tablets and phones combine the mic input with the
headphone jack).

Near as I can tell, this is strictly a audio spectrum scope and does not
take advantage of the quadrature (I/Q) output of the KX3. The author does
state that you can use one channel of the I/Q output as your audio feed if
you like, or you can take it from the Phones jack.



On Wed, Jan 8, 2020 at 8:57 PM Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> Bill,
>
> It depends on the computer and the external soundcard - so the answer is
> 'maybe'.
> In general, if there is only one input, and it is configured for MIC, it
> will be mono.  If configured for LINE, it will be stereo.
>
> So it depends on the soundcard settings.  If there are separate MIC and
> LINE inputs, check your computer specs.  There is no one answer other
> than "it all depends".
>
> My college professor's advice back in 1966 was "Technician/Engineer,
> know your equipment and its capabilities as well as its limitations" -
> that still applies today.  One cannot speak in generalities about any
> equipment type unless the specifics are known - study the specifications
> for the proper answers to your specific equipment.
>
> Based on that information, the one answer to your question is "maybe".
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 1/8/2020 8:19 PM, Nr4c wrote:
> > Are computer mic inputs still mostly MONO while the LineIn inputs are
> usually STEREO?
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > ...nr4c. bill
> >
> >
> >> On Jan 8, 2020, at 4:56 PM, Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Aubrey,
> >>
> >> Did you enter the menu and set the RX IQ parameter to ON?  If set to
> OFF (the default) there will be nothing out of the RX IQ jack.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Don W3FPR
> >>
> >>> On 1/8/2020 4:28 PM, Aubrey Mason wrote:
> >>> ________________________________
> >>> From: Aubrey Mason <akengineering at live.com>
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2020 3:27 PM
> >>> To: Walter Underwood <wunder at wunderwood.org>
> >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 with KX3 Companion application
> >>> I need to know the specifics from someone who has already done it..
> >>> None of the written materials say what needs to be done and an audio
> cable between Rec IQ and the mic input of the tablet does nothing.
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