[K3] K3, SDR-IQ and CW Skimmer

[g4zfe]

Hello all,

I have searched through nabble and found some similar posts but no
definitive answer as to whether my current goal is possible:

K3 using SDR-IQ in IF mode with CW Skimmer

The above scenario functions but the CW Skimmer spots have a display
frequency of the IF and not the K3's actual frequency.

I have configured Skimmer's Omni-Rig for the K3. When I start up Skimmer
I can see that Skimmer opens up the CAT port but the frequencies
displayed in Skimmer are either relative (+/- 20 kHz) or if I enter
8.215 MHz as the Skimmer frequencies then the spots have an "absolute"
frequency +/- 20 kHz of the IF. I really want to see the frequency of
the actual spot!

I am using CW Skimmer in SDR-IQ mode.

I have LP-PAN working with Skimmer in Softrock-IF mode but the 24 kHz
bandwidth limitation is frustrating.

Has anyone got the SDR-IQ to work in IF mode with the K3 and CW Skimmer?
Alternatively any other way to achieve what I am after - K3-IF mode
skimming with a bandwidth of 96 kHz or higher?

Thank you for any assistance with my goal.

73 de Rich, G4ZFE

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[Dave, G4AON]

Richard you can use your SDR-IQ on the same frequency as the K3 by using
the RF IN/OUT sockets of the KXV3, CW Skimmer works for me in that way
with a Perseus SDR (including using it with N1MM for K3 freq control).
See http://www.astromag.co.uk/k3/ for details of a suitable splitter to
feed both receivers.

73 Dave, G4AON
----------------------------------------

I have searched through nabble and found some similar posts but no
definitive answer as to whether my current goal is possible:

K3 using SDR-IQ in IF mode with CW Skimmer
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[Bill W4ZV]

g4zfe wrote

I have LP-PAN working with Skimmer in Softrock-IF mode but the 24 kHz
bandwidth limitation is frustrating.

Rich this isn't an answer to your question but just an observation FWIW.  I bought LP-PAN immediately after it came out (beta #0008 I think).  I got it working with HRD and PowerSDR but soon discovered CW Skimmer would work directly in Softrock on IF mode with Skimmer's OmniRIG interface (no HRD or PSDR needed).  I much prefer Skimmer's waterfall to PSDR's but, like you, thought the 24 kHz limitation would be too limiting (and I still don't fully understand why Alex does that with the K3).

Nevertheless, after using this setup for a couple of years, here are my observations for my two normal uses of Skimmer:

1.  Contest S&Ping.  Although Skimmer limits spans to +/- 12 kHz about the RX frequency on VFO A, it continually shifts this window as you tune up or down the band.  For S&Ping in contests using Blind Skimmer (OK for unassisted categories) this isn't a problem because I'm usually tuning up or down the band sequentially, so there are always decoder dots in the window above or below where VFO A is set.  

2.  Working massive split DX pileups using the KRX3.  I lock VFO B to the DX station's frequency and then use VFO A for the pileup (and placement of my TX).  In this mode I use Skimmer's "599" function to identify the last station worked and click on "599" to send my TX on VFO A there (or with a slight XIT offset).  I've not yet encountered pileups wider than 24 kHz so the window about VFO A has been entirely adequate.  

Of course 24 kHz doesn't give you a complete picture of CW bands but in practice I haven't found that to be as much of a problem as I first imagined.  I also have a P3 which can be used for the big picture but I much prefer Skimmer's waterfall because of it's more accurate VFO placement and more elegant K3 integration (see video below).  I use AutoHotKey with N1MM to allow tuning with a mouse wheel so I can very rapidly jump from one station to the next (without losing N1MM focus).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZDXuOgUQJ0  (audible clicks are the mouse wheel incrementing)

I'm still hopeful Alex will someday increase the 24 kHz limit (at least for the K3) but until then Skimmer, even with the present limitations, meets my needs outlined above.

73,  Bill