K3 Datamodes

[Ian Maude]

Hi all,
I am pretty much a datamodes virgin here but I want to get more into it.
Am I right in saying that I can use RTTY and PSK31 by simply selecting
DATA A as my mode?  I do not need the inbuilt decode function as HRD
will handle all of that.  What else if anything should I be looking to
do when setting up for TX?  I have the K3 operating through a second
soundcard to minimise the chances of Windows sounds being transmitted
etc.  The receive seems fine.

Any hints would be appreciated.

73 Ian

--

Ian J Maude, G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member RSGB, GQRP
K2 #4044 |K3 #455

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Ian J Maude wrote

Hi all,
I am pretty much a datamodes virgin here but I want to get more into it.
Am I right in saying that I can use RTTY and PSK31 by simply selecting
DATA A as my mode?  I do not need the inbuilt decode function as HRD
will handle all of that.  What else if anything should I be looking to
do when setting up for TX?  I have the K3 operating through a second
soundcard to minimise the chances of Windows sounds being transmitted
etc.  The receive seems fine.

You will need to set MIC SEL for that mode to the appropriate source, presumably LINE IN, and then set the mic gain for the correct drive level.

[Ian Maude]

G4ILO wrote:

> Ian J Maude wrote:
>  
>> Hi all,
>> I am pretty much a datamodes virgin here but I want to get more into it.
>> Am I right in saying that I can use RTTY and PSK31 by simply selecting
>> DATA A as my mode?  I do not need the inbuilt decode function as HRD
>> will handle all of that.  What else if anything should I be looking to
>> do when setting up for TX?  I have the K3 operating through a second
>> soundcard to minimise the chances of Windows sounds being transmitted
>> etc.  The receive seems fine.
>>
>>    
> You will need to set MIC SEL for that mode to the appropriate source,
> presumably LINE IN, and then set the mic gain for the correct drive level.
>  

Done that, the receive is fine :-)
What is the right level then?

73 Ian

--

Ian J Maude, G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member RSGB, GQRP
K2 #4044 |K3 #455

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Ian J Maude wrote

Done that, the receive is fine :-)
What is the right level then?

Yes, I was going to mention you needed to go into the CONFIG menu and set LIN OUT, then realized you already said receive was working.

On TX the actual mic gain level is going to be dependent on the output level from your sound card, which of course can be adjustable from the computer as well.

On other radios I used to increase the audio drive until the ALC just started to show. On the K3 it seems that you don't get any ALC indication at all. So I started with the mic gain at zero and then very slowly increased it until the power output stops increasing. You have to do it slowly because if you increase it further, the K3 backs the power down again. You'll probably increase the level past that point and then back it down again until you have just enough drive to produce the power you want, and no more.

I should point out that I set the power control to the power I want, 5W in my case since I have the QRP radio. I see that some people on this list advocate setting the power control to full and regulating the output power entirely using the AF gain controls. But in my opinion that runs the risk of accidentally running too much power and frying the finals unless you watch the output power all the time. Also, the drive level needed to maintain a set power level may vary from band to band and even at different places within the passband. Certainly it did on the K2.

[Greg - AB7R]

This will be posted on the Operating tips page on the Elecraft website
today.

Greg
AB7R


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Ian J Maude
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 3:00 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Datamodes


Hi all,
I am pretty much a datamodes virgin here but I want to get more into it.
Am I right in saying that I can use RTTY and PSK31 by simply selecting
DATA A as my mode?  I do not need the inbuilt decode function as HRD
will handle all of that.  What else if anything should I be looking to
do when setting up for TX?  I have the K3 operating through a second
soundcard to minimise the chances of Windows sounds being transmitted
etc.  The receive seems fine.

Any hints would be appreciated.

73 Ian

--

Ian J Maude, G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member RSGB, GQRP
K2 #4044 |K3 #455

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