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Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

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Dale

Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

G'day all,

I am thinking of using my KX3 for digital work and also running it through
Ham Radio Deluxe.

What is a good interface unit, maybe Digalink or Omnirig?

What is the best way to connect to a laptop to use HRD?

Suggestions please!

--
73

Dale - VK4DMC
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Barry K3NDM

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

Dale,
I like and use a SignaLink USB and like it. However, almost any of the popular interfaces will work. Or, you could just use the mic and headphone connectors on your PC and run cables to the mic and headphone connectors on the KX3. That can work also.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

----- Original Message -----

From: "Dale" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2013 10:34:45 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

G'day all,

I am thinking of using my KX3 for digital work and also running it through
Ham Radio Deluxe.

What is a good interface unit, maybe Digalink or Omnirig?

What is the best way to connect to a laptop to use HRD?

Suggestions please!

--
73

Dale - VK4DMC
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Dave-5

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

If you connect directly to mic/speakers on both the PC and Radio be very
careful. The PC speaker output can over drive the audio if you put it
straight to the microphone of the rig and I would always advise using
isolating transformers. You can spot people who have gone the 'straight
through to mic input' route when they overdrive their audio and produce very
wide signals.

A better option is to use Line in/Line out on the PC and interface to an
accessory socket that takes constant line levels. not lookied at the KX3
data inputs yet but if they are provided use them...

Personally, I have used a US Interface Navigator. It provides excellent
interfacing on both audio and computer connections. HRD is a bit expensive
if you want the latest version, I well remember when it was free and there
were a group of peopkle testing it and sugesting improvements and
identifying bugs...

Dave (G0DJA)

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 3:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

> Dale,
> I like and use a SignaLink USB and like it. However, almost any of the
> popular interfaces will work. Or, you could just use the mic and headphone
> connectors on your PC and run cables to the mic and headphone connectors
> on the KX3. That can work also.

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Dave-5

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

I just read the data part of the KX3 manual in more depth and it's now
obvious that you have to use the mic in and speaker out from the KX3 for
data. So, I will definately be digging out a fully isolated interface unit,
which I used before getting the Navigator, if I decide to run data modes
through the KX3.

I would also recommend getting the IMD meter by KK7UQ to monitor your
transmitted signals to make sure that they are clean.

Dave (G0DJA)

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

In reply to this post by Dave-5

> If you connect directly to mic/speakers on both the PC and Radio be
> very careful. The PC speaker output can over drive the audio if you
> put it straight to the microphone of the rig and I would always
> advise using isolating transformers. You can spot people who have
> gone the 'straight through to mic input' route when they overdrive
> their audio and produce very wide signals.

An isolation transformer does not solve the excessive level problem.
For that you need an attenuator or voltage divider. Typically one
would connect a 4.7K or 10K resistor in series between the sound card
output and the mic input and a 470 or 1000 Ohm resistor from the mic
input to the mic ground. That 20dB is about right for the sound card
line/speaker output to an electret mic input. Substitute 47K or 100K
for dynamic mic inputs or use a 500/1000 Ohm pot with the wiper to
the mic input instead of the fixed shunt resistor.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 10/13/2013 4:38 AM, Dave wrote:

> If you connect directly to mic/speakers on both the PC and Radio be very
> careful. The PC speaker output can over drive the audio if you put it
> straight to the microphone of the rig and I would always advise using
> isolating transformers. You can spot people who have gone the 'straight
> through to mic input' route when they overdrive their audio and produce
> very wide signals.
>
> A better option is to use Line in/Line out on the PC and interface to an
> accessory socket that takes constant line levels. not lookied at the
> KX3 data inputs yet but if they are provided use them...
>
> Personally, I have used a US Interface Navigator. It provides excellent
> interfacing on both audio and computer connections. HRD is a bit
> expensive if you want the latest version, I well remember when it was
> free and there were a group of peopkle testing it and sugesting
> improvements and identifying bugs...
>
> Dave (G0DJA)
>
> ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 3:58 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe
>
>
>> Dale,
>> I like and use a SignaLink USB and like it. However, almost any of the
>> popular interfaces will work. Or, you could just use the mic and
>> headphone connectors on your PC and run cables to the mic and
>> headphone connectors on the KX3. That can work also.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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Dave-5

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

Without wanting to start another discussion like that on impedance verses
radiation resistance recently, I did say "and I would always advise..."

The isolation avoids earth loops, the variable resitor avoids overdriving,
if you are taking the speaker output straight to the mic input then the PC
speaker audio level can be used, but like Joe, I'd always prefer a system
with a variable resistor external to the PC, but that's a personal
preference. You can still reduce the audio from the soundcard program and,
infact, this is what another bit of kit called the "PSK Meter" effectively
does. http://www.ssiserver.com/info/pskmeter/

Dave (GDJA)

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 12:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

> An isolation transformer does not solve the excessive level problem.
> For that you need an attenuator or voltage divider. Typically one
> would connect a 4.7K or 10K resistor in series between the sound card
> output and the mic input and a 470 or 1000 Ohm resistor from the mic
> input to the mic ground. That 20dB is about right for the sound card
> line/speaker output to an electret mic input. Substitute 47K or 100K
> for dynamic mic inputs or use a 500/1000 Ohm pot with the wiper to
> the mic input instead of the fixed shunt resistor.

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

> You can still reduce the audio from the soundcard program and,
> infact, this is what another bit of kit called the "PSK Meter"
> effectively does.

The problem with just using the sound card output level is that once
the slider gets down around 10 - where it will be if you are driving
an electret input without an attenuator - it is quite difficult to
adjust accurately. Since a mic input designed to work with a dynamic
mic will be *another 20+ dB more sensitive* it is almost impossible to
adjust between "no audio" and "overdriving the mic preamp" with the
Windows mixer.

Remember, typical audio levels are:
Sound card at maximum: 1.5 V RMS
Electet mic: 75mV RMS (26 dB below sound card)
Dynamic mic: 5mV RMS (26 dB less than electret, *50 dB* less
than maximum sound card level).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 10/13/2013 1:14 PM, Dave wrote:

> Without wanting to start another discussion like that on impedance
> verses radiation resistance recently, I did say "and I would always
> advise..."
>
> The isolation avoids earth loops, the variable resitor avoids
> overdriving, if you are taking the speaker output straight to the mic
> input then the PC speaker audio level can be used, but like Joe, I'd
> always prefer a system with a variable resistor external to the PC, but
> that's a personal preference. You can still reduce the audio from the
> soundcard program and, infact, this is what another bit of kit called
> the "PSK Meter" effectively does. http://www.ssiserver.com/info/pskmeter/
>
> Dave (GDJA)
>
> ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 12:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe
>
>
>> An isolation transformer does not solve the excessive level problem.
>> For that you need an attenuator or voltage divider. Typically one
>> would connect a 4.7K or 10K resistor in series between the sound card
>> output and the mic input and a 470 or 1000 Ohm resistor from the mic
>> input to the mic ground. That 20dB is about right for the sound card
>> line/speaker output to an electret mic input. Substitute 47K or 100K
>> for dynamic mic inputs or use a 500/1000 Ohm pot with the wiper to
>> the mic input instead of the fixed shunt resistor.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Barry K3NDM

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

In reply to this post by Dave-5

Dave,
Your points are well taken. An interface might be the best choice, but it is possible to not do so. As I said earlier I use a Signalink, but your favorite is OK. My general recommendation would use an interface though it's not mandatory with the KX3.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

----- Original Message -----

From: "Dave" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 4:38:17 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

If you connect directly to mic/speakers on both the PC and Radio be very
careful. The PC speaker output can over drive the audio if you put it
straight to the microphone of the rig and I would always advise using
isolating transformers. You can spot people who have gone the 'straight
through to mic input' route when they overdrive their audio and produce very
wide signals.

A better option is to use Line in/Line out on the PC and interface to an
accessory socket that takes constant line levels. not lookied at the KX3
data inputs yet but if they are provided use them...

Personally, I have used a US Interface Navigator. It provides excellent
interfacing on both audio and computer connections. HRD is a bit expensive
if you want the latest version, I well remember when it was free and there
were a group of peopkle testing it and sugesting improvements and
identifying bugs...

Dave (G0DJA)

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 3:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

> Dale,
> I like and use a SignaLink USB and like it. However, almost any of the
> popular interfaces will work. Or, you could just use the mic and headphone
> connectors on your PC and run cables to the mic and headphone connectors
> on the KX3. That can work also.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Dave-5

Re: Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't realise that there were "experts" about. Please
google "expert" they will become clear when you do. I, as a non-expert,
will not have anything to say untill the "experts" have advised you as to
what you should do in future.

I will now bow down to the experts in this list and no longer give my advice
before the "experts" have held forth in future. (This is not about anyone
from Elecraft, who will probably actually be experts in their field, but
those who decide that everyone else is wrong until they agree with them, the
experts.)

Dave (G0DJA)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interface and Ham Radio Deluxe

>
>> You can still reduce the audio from the soundcard program and,
>> infact, this is what another bit of kit called the "PSK Meter"
>> effectively does.
>
> The problem with just using the sound card output level is that once
> the slider gets down around 10 - where it will be if you are driving
> an electret input without an attenuator - it is quite difficult to
> adjust accurately. Since a mic input designed to work with a dynamic
> mic will be *another 20+ dB more sensitive* it is almost impossible to
> adjust between "no audio" and "overdriving the mic preamp" with the
> Windows mixer.
>
> Remember, typical audio levels are:
> Sound card at maximum: 1.5 V RMS
> Electet mic: 75mV RMS (26 dB below sound card)
> Dynamic mic: 5mV RMS (26 dB less than electret, *50 dB* less
> than maximum sound card level).