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K3: FSK, AFSK, CW

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Bill Miller

K3: FSK, AFSK, CW

If you have experience using your K3 with these modes, I would greatly appreciate how you went about it. West Mtn. offers the NOMIC, but I want to do FSK and that product doesn't make it easy. I'd like to switch modes easily, avoiding any cable swapping, if possible. I've looked at the archives, but searhing them was not possible for me.
Tnx es 73,
Bill K9HXO
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Michael Adams

Re: K3: FSK, AFSK, CW

In theory, all you should need to do CW is a straight key or a paddle. :)
(And you can send PSK, FSK RTTY, and AFSK RTTY with a paddle...)

All you should need to do AFSK, soundcard, and computer-keyed CW are a pair
of audio cables and a serial cable.

I have a Navigator Interface, which I acquired for my prior rig, whose K3
assembly adds cable to the ACC port for traditional FSK support.

The Navigator is probably overkill for the K3, but I keep mine in the mix
because I like having a separate sound interface. If I were starting out
fresh, I would go with an (add-on soundcard + sound cables + serial cable +
USB-serial adapter) arrangement for in-the-shack.

One think to keep in mind is that on the K3, the gap between FSK and AFSK
RTTY is narrower than on most rigs. The K3's AFSK mode (as opposed to DATA
for soundcard modes) gets you the dual filters, the on-screen decode, and
the K3 is rated to run AFSK RTTY at full power in that mode. If you have
your audio levels set correctly (ALC meter four bars solid with the fifth
bar flickering) AFSK RTTY should be virtually indistinguishable from FSK
RTTY on the K3.

It's above my paygrade to get into a debate about the merits of FSK over
AFSK on a K3, and I'll admit that I prefer FSK on general principle... but
it's probably reasonable to declare victory once you get AFSK RTTY working.

--
*Michael D. Adams* (N1EN)
Poquonock, Connecticut | [hidden email]

On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 10:33 AM, Bill Miller <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If you have experience using your K3 with these modes, I would greatly
> appreciate how you went about it. West Mtn. offers the NOMIC, but I want to
> do FSK and that product doesn't make it easy. I'd like to switch modes
> easily, avoiding any cable swapping, if possible. I've looked at the
> archives, but searhing them was not possible for me.
> Tnx es 73,
> Bill K9HXO
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Mike Reublin

Re: K3: FSK, AFSK, CW

In reply to this post by Bill Miller

Bill,

When I got my K3, I was pretty adamant about doing FSK. I was persuaded to go with AFSK, and have been totally satisfied. There is no difference on the receive end, and the setup is simpler, only two audio cables needed. None of the offset tuning of the old days either.

73,
Mike NF4L
On Dec 15, 2012, at 10:33 AM, Bill Miller <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If you have experience using your K3 with these modes, I would greatly appreciate how you went about it. West Mtn. offers the NOMIC, but I want to do FSK and that product doesn't make it easy. I'd like to switch modes easily, avoiding any cable swapping, if possible. I've looked at the archives, but searhing them was not possible for me.
> Tnx es 73,
> Bill K9HXO
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Reginald J Mackey SR-3

Re: K3: FSK, AFSK, CW

I used fldigi and just cabled up with no intermediate device.

Reggie k6xr
Amateur radio 57 years
DXCC, RCC, WAC

Sent from my iPad

On Dec 15, 2012, at 9:18 AM, Mike Reublin <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Bill,
>
> When I got my K3, I was pretty adamant about doing FSK. I was persuaded to go with AFSK, and have been totally satisfied. There is no difference on the receive end, and the setup is simpler, only two audio cables needed. None of the offset tuning of the old days either.
>
> 73,
> Mike NF4L
> On Dec 15, 2012, at 10:33 AM, Bill Miller <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> If you have experience using your K3 with these modes, I would greatly appreciate how you went about it. West Mtn. offers the NOMIC, but I want to do FSK and that product doesn't make it easy. I'd like to switch modes easily, avoiding any cable swapping, if possible. I've looked at the archives, but searhing them was not possible for me.
>> Tnx es 73,
>> Bill K9HXO
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Rick WA6NHC

Re: K3: FSK, AFSK, CW

In reply to this post by Bill Miller

With the addition of a device like the SignaLink USB (SLUSB) for audio
management (often on sale or a free interface cable) and Ham Radio Deluxe
(HRD) you will find what you need.

If you get HRD before v6 officially comes out you will get a discount and v6
is officially supporting FSK for those radios capable of com port --> FSK
like the K3/KX3. Adding the similar mode of PSK is being considered.

I've been happily using this setup for the last year and it's been
wonderful. Change modes in HRD and it changes modes in the K3, DX Cluster
moves you to the right spot, logging works great, it all simply works
(actually, almost TOO easy sometimes). I've also routed Skype to/from the
SLUSB when I run the station remotely. No one knows I'm remote unless I
tell them.

Usual caveat; I don't work for anybody and don't get compensation except
from my retirement plan. Which is as it should be. ;o)

Merry Christmas,
Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Miller

If you have experience using your K3 with these modes, I would greatly
appreciate how you went about it. West Mtn. offers the NOMIC, but I want to
do FSK and that product doesn't make it easy. I'd like to switch modes
easily, avoiding any cable swapping, if possible. I've looked at the
archives, but searhing them was not possible for me.
Tnx es 73,
Bill K9HXO

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