[Elecraft] Sound card recommendations for KX3 RX I/Q?

[Jim Brown]

On 5/5/2026 11:05 AM, Curt Nixon via Elecraft wrote:
> The lp pan revommended e Mu 0204 is a very good external usb card. They
> still show up used from time to time and even used they seem bullet proof.

I think I recall that this was a VERY old recommendation, that I also 
think I remember that Emu was very bad about updating drivers. Don't 
take my word for it, but do some research before buying.

On 5/5/2026 1:21 PM, Tim Tucker via Elecraft wrote:
 > Search for a USB sound card with stereo mic or line in with as much
 > bandwidth as possible - preferably 192Khz if you can find it. Most of the
 > "studio" type devices can do this.

Good advice for spectrum display, but a waste of money for WSJT-X, which 
uses 48kHz 16-bit.
 >
 > Regarding "performance" - you can create a ground loop if you're not
 > careful so be mindful of that...

There is no such thing as a "ground loop," but the problems we describe 
with those words is the failure to follow proper grounding and bonding 
at the operating position. Study N0AX's excellent ARRL Book on the 
topic, to which I contributed extensively. Also, the pdf of slides for 
talks I've done at Pacificon, Visalia, and to several ham clubs.

http://k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf

73, Jim K9YC