Best digital interface to use with K3?

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Best digital interface to use with K3?

Elecraft mailing list
I am just setting my station up and running again after relocating. I lost my older digital interface in the move. Can I get some suggestions for the best digital interface for digital modes to use with my K3? I’d like to hear from people who’ve used different interfaces with the K3 and how they performed. Thanks for your help in advance.

Mike kt4an
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Re: Best digital interface to use with K3?

Don Wilhelm
Mike,

Keep it to "KISS mode" ---

You only need an external soundcard - the K3 has isolation transformers
built into the Line In and Line Out circuits.  That means that you do
not need any complex interface box to provide that isolation.  The
soundcard audio levels will be in the computer soundcard controls rather
than knobs on the interface.

The use of an external soundcard rather than the computer internal sound
will prevent the OS noises from being transmitted (make sure the
external soundcard is NOT the default system soundcard).

You will need connection between the computer and K3 for RS-232 (same
one that you use for K3 Utility will be fine).  Set the application
software to use PTT via CAT command and all will work fine.

For digital modes, you do not need an expensive soundcard, most any but
the very most inexpensive will do - plan on $30 or less.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/7/2019 7:41 PM, Michael Pendergast via Elecraft wrote:
> I am just setting my station up and running again after relocating. I lost my older digital interface in the move. Can I get some suggestions for the best digital interface for digital modes to use with my K3? I’d like to hear from people who’ve used different interfaces with the K3 and how they performed. Thanks for your help in advance.
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Re: Best digital interface to use with K3?

Jim Brown-10
On 12/7/2019 5:11 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> For digital modes, you do not need an expensive soundcard, most any but
> the very most inexpensive will do - plan on $30 or less.

Not quite -- some are better than others. Here's my report from several
years ago. http://k9yc.com/USB_Interfaces.pdf  Most of the discontinued
units can be found used on ebay.

What you DON'T need is more than 48 kHz or 16 bits.

73, Jim K9YC
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