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K3-PSK/RTTY Question

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w8crh

K3-PSK/RTTY Question

Good Morning All,
I have a K3 and am awaiting my KX3....soon I hope...
My question is that I am wanting to put the K3 on
PSK and RTTY and I'm wondering if
my choice of the Signalink USP is a good choice
for these modes with the K3 and hopefully the KX3
Tnx es VY73'
Steve W8CRH
SEMPER FI
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John Ragle

Re: K3-PSK/RTTY Question

Steve...

Although some argue that adjuncts like the SignaLink are not
needed. I have used SignaLinks on a K2, an ICOM 910H, and now my
K3/100+P3. I am very pleased with the way in which it gives me that
extra little degree of control, and in particular in the way in which it
enhances FLDIGI/FLRIG for both RTTYand PSK of all speeds. For $67 it has
been worth every nickel of the price, especially vis-a-vis the costs of
the other parts of my HF station.

I run FLDIGI/FLRIG and the screen-captured P3 screen on one of my
two monitors, which leaves the other one free for any other need. On the
various PSK speeds, I run at 25 watts on the K3, and on RTTY I move the
output up to 75-80 watts. If I want to run CW, I just shut down FLDIGI
(it is not a sterling performer on CW) and run without a decoder. Even
on my forays into SSB (usually on VHF or UHF, where I run >350 watts) I
leave FLRIG running, as it gives very nice semi-remote access to many of
the K3 parameters, but that has little to do with the "issue" of using a
SignaLink.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

=====

On 5/3/2012 7:32 AM, Steve wrote:

> Good Morning All,
> I have a K3 and am awaiting my KX3....soon I hope...
> My question is that I am wanting to put the K3 on
> PSK and RTTY and I'm wondering if
> my choice of the Signalink USP is a good choice
> for these modes with the K3 and hopefully the KX3
> Tnx es VY73'
> Steve W8CRH
> SEMPER FI
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>

--
Sent from my lovely old Dell XPS 420

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Nr4c

Re: K3-PSK/RTTY Question

In reply to this post by w8crh

Hi, Steve,
\
I really think the SL-USB is a real nice interface if you need an
interface. But in my opinion, for the K3/KX3 it is over-kill. I use
two stereo audio cables between the sound card and the K3 and it works
just fine. The K3 is already buffered and isolated with transformers
(KX3 will not be). Unless you need the sound card for computer sounds
and/or other audio uses, I'd just use the computer sound card. PTT can
be handled via the serial CAT cable.

....bill nr4c

On Thu, 03 May 2012 07:32:45 -0400, Steve wrote:

Tom Azlin N4ZPT-2

Re: K3-PSK/RTTY Question

Hi Bill,

For my K3 I do just as you say. A serial cable plus two audio cables
connected to the line in/out of my computer sound card and my K3. Tossed
my homebrew interface I used with my FT-1000 in the parts box.

However my laptop does not have line in/out and so far the KX3 does not
have line in/out. I get odd noise that looks like hum plus some scruff
when I connect my KX3 directly to my laptop. It works but do not want to
transmit the noise. So some sort of isolation and level adjusting is
needed beyond just the computer sliders and KX3 mike gain and speaker
level adjustment. Seems to me that is.

So for my KX3 I just picked up the TRRS and TRS right angle connectors
and plan to hook up one of my unterminated SL-USB cables ( short
Ethernet cut in half) to play. Given the SL-USB is in my go kit anyway
with my laptop. May use one of the inexpensive interface boards I found
on eBay with a couple transformers and transistor switch. Or just grab
some resistors and audio isolation transformers out of my parts boxes,
i.e. dust off my old interface board.

So yes, with the KX3 seems an interface is needed. Was very happy to
read that in the future a firmware update might include having the
speaker out and microphone in be switched to line out and in for the
data modes.

What do you use with your KX3???

73, tom n4zpt

On 5/3/2012 9:32 AM, nr4c wrote:

> Hi, Steve,
> \
> I really think the SL-USB is a real nice interface if you need an
> interface. But in my opinion, for the K3/KX3 it is over-kill. I use
> two stereo audio cables between the sound card and the K3 and it works
> just fine. The K3 is already buffered and isolated with transformers
> (KX3 will not be). Unless you need the sound card for computer sounds
> and/or other audio uses, I'd just use the computer sound card. PTT can
> be handled via the serial CAT cable.
>
> ....bill nr4c
>
>
> On Thu, 03 May 2012 07:32:45 -0400, Steve wrote:
>> Good Morning All,
>> I have a K3 and am awaiting my KX3....soon I hope...
>> My question is that I am wanting to put the K3 on
>> PSK and RTTY and I'm wondering if
>> my choice of the Signalink USP is a good choice
>> for these modes with the K3 and hopefully the KX3
>> Tnx es VY73'
>> Steve W8CRH
>> SEMPER FI
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
> 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
>
>

Nr4c

Re: K3-PSK/RTTY Question

Welllllllllllllll....

My KX3 is on the list, I'm near the top of Dec 28 (00:23:59) so I am not
sure at this point. I have a circuit board that has holes for a couple of
iso transformers, and a pot. Will prob put something together using it when
it gets here.

Anxious in Williamsburg,

bill nr4c

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Azlin N4ZPT [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 12:49 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3-PSK/RTTY Question

Hi Bill,

For my K3 I do just as you say. A serial cable plus two audio cables
connected to the line in/out of my computer sound card and my K3. Tossed
my homebrew interface I used with my FT-1000 in the parts box.

However my laptop does not have line in/out and so far the KX3 does not
have line in/out. I get odd noise that looks like hum plus some scruff
when I connect my KX3 directly to my laptop. It works but do not want to
transmit the noise. So some sort of isolation and level adjusting is
needed beyond just the computer sliders and KX3 mike gain and speaker
level adjustment. Seems to me that is.

So for my KX3 I just picked up the TRRS and TRS right angle connectors
and plan to hook up one of my unterminated SL-USB cables ( short
Ethernet cut in half) to play. Given the SL-USB is in my go kit anyway
with my laptop. May use one of the inexpensive interface boards I found
on eBay with a couple transformers and transistor switch. Or just grab
some resistors and audio isolation transformers out of my parts boxes,
i.e. dust off my old interface board.

So yes, with the KX3 seems an interface is needed. Was very happy to
read that in the future a firmware update might include having the
speaker out and microphone in be switched to line out and in for the
data modes.

What do you use with your KX3???

73, tom n4zpt

On 5/3/2012 9:32 AM, nr4c wrote:

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Tom Azlin N4ZPT-2

Re: K3-PSK/RTTY Question

Hi Bill,

Good deal on the order in! As soon as they get past midnight then you
should be close.

I have a whole handful of small transformers both from digikey and radio
shack we got for club interface project. And bunches of optical coupled
Darlingtons. And perfboard I used in the past. Also have a breadboard
that just has three transformers ( for dual receive) with pairs of RCA
connectors.

I first just connected the cables directly to my laptop but the
hum/noise was not acceptable. Even pulled the AC cord on the laptop and
ran on batteries. But then I expected that based on early interfaces for
my other pre-K3 radios.

and back to the start of this thread. yes, the SignaLin-USB should be
fine also. Especially if you happen to have one handy.

73, tom n4zpt

On 5/3/2012 3:35 PM, Bill Conkling wrote:

> Welllllllllllllll....
>
> My KX3 is on the list, I'm near the top of Dec 28 (00:23:59) so I am not
> sure at this point. I have a circuit board that has holes for a couple of
> iso transformers, and a pot. Will prob put something together using it when
> it gets here.
>
> Anxious in Williamsburg,
>
> bill nr4c
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Azlin N4ZPT [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 12:49 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3-PSK/RTTY Question
>
> Hi Bill,
>
> For my K3 I do just as you say. A serial cable plus two audio cables
> connected to the line in/out of my computer sound card and my K3. Tossed
> my homebrew interface I used with my FT-1000 in the parts box.
>
> However my laptop does not have line in/out and so far the KX3 does not
> have line in/out. I get odd noise that looks like hum plus some scruff
> when I connect my KX3 directly to my laptop. It works but do not want to
> transmit the noise. So some sort of isolation and level adjusting is
> needed beyond just the computer sliders and KX3 mike gain and speaker
> level adjustment. Seems to me that is.
>
> So for my KX3 I just picked up the TRRS and TRS right angle connectors
> and plan to hook up one of my unterminated SL-USB cables ( short
> Ethernet cut in half) to play. Given the SL-USB is in my go kit anyway
> with my laptop. May use one of the inexpensive interface boards I found
> on eBay with a couple transformers and transistor switch. Or just grab
> some resistors and audio isolation transformers out of my parts boxes,
> i.e. dust off my old interface board.
>
> So yes, with the KX3 seems an interface is needed. Was very happy to
> read that in the future a firmware update might include having the
> speaker out and microphone in be switched to line out and in for the
> data modes.
>
> What do you use with your KX3???
>
> 73, tom n4zpt
>
>
> On 5/3/2012 9:32 AM, nr4c wrote:
>> Hi, Steve,
>> \
>> I really think the SL-USB is a real nice interface if you need an
>> interface. But in my opinion, for the K3/KX3 it is over-kill. I use
>> two stereo audio cables between the sound card and the K3 and it works
>> just fine. The K3 is already buffered and isolated with transformers
>> (KX3 will not be). Unless you need the sound card for computer sounds
>> and/or other audio uses, I'd just use the computer sound card. PTT can
>> be handled via the serial CAT cable.
>>
>> ....bill nr4c
>>
>>
>> On Thu, 03 May 2012 07:32:45 -0400, Steve wrote:
>>> Good Morning All,
>>> I have a K3 and am awaiting my KX3....soon I hope...
>>> My question is that I am wanting to put the K3 on
>>> PSK and RTTY and I'm wondering if
>>> my choice of the Signalink USP is a good choice
>>> for these modes with the K3 and hopefully the KX3
>>> Tnx es VY73'
>>> Steve W8CRH
>>> SEMPER FI