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

[Wes]

We should go back to a toggle switch on the front panel for transmit/receive 
because having VOX turned on might allow an inadvertent transmission of shack 
noise.  Likewise, with QSK on CW accidentally bumping the key will send unwanted 
garbage.  We should be protected from ourselves making mistakes.

Wes  N7WS

On 1/1/2021 10:48 AM, Rick Bates, NK7I wrote:
> 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