[Elecraft] Soundcard choice for K3s on Linux help needed

[Rick Bates, nk7i]

I submit that using the mobo sound card for radio, is a poor choice.

The OS will use it (if it is using the GUI, not text only); which means 
tones, belches, tunes and other can be transmitted (incidentally or 
not).  If you listen to FT8, you'll often hear TV, pets, local room 
chatter; OS noises and worse (a violation in the US, it's not the phone 
band).  Much of that 'stuff' is also at full bandwidth (2700 Hz wide).

The K3S has an internal sound card (USB), which makes wiring simpler; 
it's also the com port cable.  Some K3 have the updated I/O card, but K3 
that are not updated will need a sound card for digital.

It's best to use another sound device; that insures audio isolation.  
Even the cheapest add on will work, at only a minor expense; then put 
the radio apps to THAT device and let the OS do it's thing on the mobo 
sound card and keep the spectrum, less 'busy'.

73,
Rick nk7i


On 9/16/2024 10:53 AM, Nate Bargmann wrote:
> I just use the built-in AC97 sound of the main board.  There are likely
> better choices but this works for me with WSJT-X.
>