Elecraft

FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

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Philip Alley

FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

Is there a complete “cookbook” for running FT8 with the KX3+PX3 and a MacBook Pro (w OSX 10.13.3)? I am running MacLogger DX and have ordered a Sabrent USB-C tiny sound card. The WSJT-X is downloaded but not set up yet. My KX3 is already communicating with Maclogger DX via USB.

I am unsure about the additional cabling I need and best strategy for rig control.

Any suggestions from anyone who has been down this road will be greatly appreciated.

TNX
Phil
AA2EA
Louisville
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Don Wilhelm

Re: FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

Phil,

There is no "cookbook" that I am aware of.
BUT - FT8 is no different than any other digital mode, although the
application software may be a bit different.

Connect the soundcard input to the headphone jack and the soundcard
output to the MIC input. Connect the KXUSB cable to the computer.
Use DATA A mode (not SSB).

If you are completely new to digital modes, you might try PSK31 first
using FLdigi or Ham Radio Deluxe to get used to it.

One last IMPORTANT point - Elecraft radios are different than other
manufacturers transceivers. Much of the internet advice (and some
software instructions) will tell you to set the power high and use the
audio level to control the power. That does NOT work with Elecraft
radios. You must first set the audio to produce 4 bars with the 5th bar
flashing on the ALC meter. Leave it set there and control the power
with the power knob.
See the article on my website www.w3fpr.com - scroll down to the bottom
of the left column and click on the link.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/3/2018 7:12 AM, Philip Alley wrote:
> Is there a complete “cookbook” for running FT8 with the KX3+PX3 and a MacBook Pro (w OSX 10.13.3)? I am running MacLogger DX and have ordered a Sabrent USB-C tiny sound card. The WSJT-X is downloaded but not set up yet. My KX3 is already communicating with Maclogger DX via USB.
>
> I am unsure about the additional cabling I need and best strategy for rig control.
>
> Any suggestions from anyone who has been down this road will be greatly appreciated.
>
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George Danner-2

Re: FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

Phil,
Do use Don's advice on setting up soundcards with Elecraft radios for
digital modes.

I found this pdf from KA9EAK in setting-up my mobile KX3 for Winmor and
packet. For me it is a work in progress as I'm waiting for a couple of
connectors to arrive.
He uses the term PC - not specifically for a MacPro - but might be helpful:
http://www.voyageurlutherie.com/docs/KX2%20Digital%20Mode%20Configuration%20Examples.pdf

73
George AI4VZ

From: Don Wilhelm

Phil,

There is no "cookbook" that I am aware of.
BUT - FT8 is no different than any other digital mode, although the
application software may be a bit different.

Connect the soundcard input to the headphone jack and the soundcard
output to the MIC input. Connect the KXUSB cable to the computer.
Use DATA A mode (not SSB).

If you are completely new to digital modes, you might try PSK31 first
using FLdigi or Ham Radio Deluxe to get used to it.

One last IMPORTANT point - Elecraft radios are different than other
manufacturers transceivers. Much of the internet advice (and some
software instructions) will tell you to set the power high and use the
audio level to control the power. That does NOT work with Elecraft
radios. You must first set the audio to produce 4 bars with the 5th bar
flashing on the ALC meter. Leave it set there and control the power
with the power knob.
See the article on my website www.w3fpr.com - scroll down to the bottom
of the left column and click on the link.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/3/2018 7:12 AM, Philip Alley wrote:

> Is there a complete “cookbook” for running FT8 with the KX3+PX3 and a
> MacBook Pro (w OSX 10.13.3)? I am running MacLogger DX and have ordered a
> Sabrent USB-C tiny sound card. The WSJT-X is downloaded but not set up
> yet. My KX3 is already communicating with Maclogger DX via USB.
>
> I am unsure about the additional cabling I need and best strategy for rig
> control.
>
> Any suggestions from anyone who has been down this road will be greatly
> appreciated.
>

______________________________________________________________
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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James Bennett

Re: FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

In reply to this post by Philip Alley

Hi Phil,

No cookbook here, but I do have a MacBook Pro / Retina, WSJT-X, and MLDX and occasionally run my KX3 with them. A couple items to consider:

—> Strongly suggest running JTBRIDGE if you do not already have it. It interfaces very, very nicely between WSJT-X and MLDX. Allows, among other things, your completed WSJT-X QSOs to be automatically logged into MLDX.

—> You may run into issues where the audio from WSJT-X output is routed to your MacBook’s internal speakers instead of the external sound card - not a good thing. This is a problem that has been happening for several years sporadically to Mac users. It “may” be related to something Apple did to USB2 code. There have been several work-arounds posted. One is to try USB3 if your MacBook has it. Another is to set your MIDI output to 44,100 instead of 48,000. And another, the one I use, is a USB to Thunderbolt adapter. My external sound card is a Tascam US-125M with USB output. I got the adapter on Amazon and plug the sound card into the Thunderbolt adapter. Works great.

Jim / W6JHB

> On Mar 3, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Philip Alley <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Is there a complete “cookbook” for running FT8 with the KX3+PX3 and a MacBook Pro (w OSX 10.13.3)? I am running MacLogger DX and have ordered a Sabrent USB-C tiny sound card. The WSJT-X is downloaded but not set up yet. My KX3 is already communicating with Maclogger DX via USB.
>
> I am unsure about the additional cabling I need and best strategy for rig control.
>
> Any suggestions from anyone who has been down this road will be greatly appreciated.
>
> TNX
> Phil
> AA2EA
> Louisville
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Rick Prather-3

Re: FT8 with KX3 and MacBook Pro

I have used JTBridge and liked it but these days my favorite set up is the
combination of WSJT-X and RUMLogNG without JTBridge.

After setting up, using the instructions in RUMLog, I am able to see Spots
from the Clusters intermixed with local WSJT-x spots in the "DXSpots"
window. This allows me use RUMLog's excellent color coding system to
decide it I need the Country or Zone in FT8 or any other mode in one window.

Clicking a station in WSJT brings it up in RUMLog, shows previous contacts
with that station or that Country. Logging is a one click operation that
also can be set to upload it to ClubLog and/or LoTW.

Makes for a nicely integrated set up.

Rick
K6LE

On Sat, Mar 3, 2018 at 12:28 PM, Walter Underwood <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Agreed, you probably want to use JT-Bridge. Read the instructions at the
> JTBridge site to get the right configurations and the right startup order
> for JT-Bridge, WSJT-X, and your logging application.
>
> http://jt-bridge.eller.nu/
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>
> > On Mar 3, 2018, at 10:22 AM, James Bennett <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Phil,
> >
> > No cookbook here, but I do have a MacBook Pro / Retina, WSJT-X, and MLDX
> and occasionally run my KX3 with them. A couple items to consider:
> >
> > —> Strongly suggest running JTBRIDGE if you do not already have it. It
> interfaces very, very nicely between WSJT-X and MLDX. Allows, among other
> things, your completed WSJT-X QSOs to be automatically logged into MLDX.
> >
> > —> You may run into issues where the audio from WSJT-X output is routed
> to your MacBook’s internal speakers instead of the external sound card -
> not a good thing. This is a problem that has been happening for several
> years sporadically to Mac users. It “may” be related to something Apple did
> to USB2 code. There have been several work-arounds posted. One is to try
> USB3 if your MacBook has it. Another is to set your MIDI output to 44,100
> instead of 48,000. And another, the one I use, is a USB to Thunderbolt
> adapter. My external sound card is a Tascam US-125M with USB output. I got
> the adapter on Amazon and plug the sound card into the Thunderbolt adapter.
> Works great.
> >
> > Jim / W6JHB
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Mar 3, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Philip Alley <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >>
> >> Is there a complete “cookbook” for running FT8 with the KX3+PX3 and a
> MacBook Pro (w OSX 10.13.3)? I am running MacLogger DX and have ordered a
> Sabrent USB-C tiny sound card. The WSJT-X is downloaded but not set up
> yet. My KX3 is already communicating with Maclogger DX via USB.
> >>
> >> I am unsure about the additional cabling I need and best strategy for
> rig control.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions from anyone who has been down this road will be greatly
> appreciated.
> >>
> >> TNX
> >> Phil
> >> AA2EA
> >> Louisville
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>