[Elecraft] External sound card advice needed to attach to K3

[Rick Bates, NK7I]

Precisely why (since MS can foul up audio settings routinely on any 
random update) it's a bad idea.  Leaving one small check mark in a lower 
level driver setting (looping/routing audio) that leaves a mic hot is 
but one example.  There are  too  many ways to make an error.  Using the 
computer sound card on a radio is not 'set and forget'.

We still have a large base of folks that don't get what is required to 
operate a clean (legal) station; we all learn as we go.  Setting 
boundaries is part of that edcucation (OS stays in OS, radio stays in 
radio).

Turning off the OS sounds, one would also lose features that the OS and 
apps that are useful (like JTAlert "DX" announcements, Zoom/Skype 
audio).  The small cost of a sound device (or second sound card) for the 
radio(s) is certainly worth the gains and lowering of the risks.

73,
Rick NK7I

On 1/1/2021 9:34 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote:
> Not really. It all boils down to _*understanding what you are doing*_. 
> Windows sounds can be turned off. The best sound card in the world 
> isn't going to stop anyone from transmitting garbage. Understanding 
> includes setting the audio levels correctly throughout the system. 
> I've used my PC sound system with two simple audio cables for years. 
> Now I have upgraded my K3 with the K3s I/O and simply pipe audio, CAT, 
> PTT and PC CW down the one USB cable.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike VP8NO
>