[Elecraft] KX3 digital 0ps?

Mon May 4 15:44:12 EDT 2020

I have a signalink I haven't used in years. For my kx3 wsjtx, I use a cheap
usb sound dongle, and use cheaper 1/8" phono cords than I probably should,
with small chokes of unknown mix. It works with my mbp.

Scott
AD6YT

On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 12:25 PM rich hurd WC3T <rich at wc3t.us> wrote:

> Just as a point of reference, I bought a SL and later bought "cheapie"
> sound card dongles.   I never got the dongles to work despite repeated
> efforts.   The SL worked every time.  I now have two.  One for home use and
> one for mobile.
>
> On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 3:13 PM Bill Frantz <frantz at pwpconsult.com> wrote:
>
> > There are 3 kinds of digital operation you might want to use:
> > wsjt-modes (FT8, FT4 etc.), RTTY, and "Sound card modes" (PSK,
> > Olivia etc.). The setup for all of them is similar.
> >
> > For sound cards (useful in all 3 kinds) a cheap USB "sound card"
> > is all you need. I started with a SignaLink years ago, but now I
> > have a cheapie I impulse bought from Amazon more recently for
> > about $5. The "headphone" output will drive the Mic input of the
> > KX3 nicely with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo cable.
> >
> > For driving the sound card Mic input from the headphone output
> > of the KX3, I found I needed a pad to reduce the drive. I have a
> > 47K resistor in series with the line from the KX3 Phones jack
> > and the tip of the plug which goes into the sound card, and a 1K
> > resistor between the tip and the sleeve. These resistors fit in
> > a 3.5mm plug. The values were based on what I could find in my
> > junque box.
> >
> >
> > For the wsjt-modes, it is best to have CAT control of the radio
> > from the computer. For the KX3, the USB to 3.5mm plug used for
> > updating the firmware is all the hardware you need. Then wsjt-x
> > will set your radio correctly when you select the band in the software.
> >
> > For RTTY, if you are good with CW and a paddle, you can do the
> > whole thing with the KX3. Depending on your computer software,
> > you can also treat it like any other sound card mode. Or your
> > software can depend on the KX3 encoder/decoder and use CAT
> > commands for sending and receiving. Most people doing RTTY from
> > a computer like to use the AFSK or FSK modes.
> >
> >
> > For the other sound card modes, use DATA A, and either use the
> > CAT interface to key the radio for transmission, or use VOX on
> > the radio.
> >
> >
> > Getting your computer software connected to these hardware
> > interfaces depends on which OS you are using. I use a Mac, which
> > just means selecting the correct interface in the setup menus in
> > the programs. I have heard complaints from the Windows users
> > that software updates make it necessary to redo these
> > connections. I haven't tried the Linux world.
> >
> >
> > Getting the sound levels set correctly is another issue, since
> > there are frequently as many as 4 (computer program, OS, sound
> > card, and KX3) level controls. On reception, try setting
> > everything about the middle of the range, and then aim for the
> > highest level that won't overload the A/D converter in your
> > sound card. This setting is straight forward in wsjt-x.
> >
> > For output, again try to set everything to about the middle of
> > the range and then set things so the ALC indicator is showing 4
> > bars with the 5th one flashing. One gotcha is that when severely
> > overdriven, the KX3 will show 0 signal rather than maximum, so
> > if you're having problems, start low and work up.
> >
> > Good luck at Gitmo and maybe we'll see you on the air.
> >
> > 73 Bill AE6JV
> >
> > On 5/4/20 at 12:21 PM, w1srradio at gmail.com (MIKE W1SRR) wrote:
> >
> > >so rookie question as I just got my KX3 in time for mobilization (my
> call
> > >sign will be KG4MA, wink wink)  I want to setup my KX3 for
> > FT8/FT4/JT9/JT65.
> > >
> > >Will have a brand new laptop and of course my radio what all are you
> using
> > >for sound cards and settings on the KX3 and WSJT?
> > >
> > >If all possible I would like to get a Raspberry Pi computer to lighten
> the
> > >load a bit, is that possible?
> > >
> > >Thanks in advance
> > >
> > >Future KG4MA (in mid june)
> > >Mike
> >
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting
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