KX3 PSK help needed

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KX3 PSK help needed

Julie Royster
Hello all,
I have studied the prior posts about KX3 and PSK31 but I am still not
getting it.

1. The other day I succeeded in setting Mic Btn to OFF but today when
I go to the menu the only choices for Mic Btn are PTT and NR - OFF no longer
shows up as a choice!  Where did I go wrong?
2. Has anyone succeeded in using a LAPTOP with KX3 without an iMic or a
signalink for PSK?  A lot of the prior posts refer to desktops that have a
line in connection (laptop does not) or to setups using iMic or Signalink.
3. Would Don Wilhelm's comments about attenuators being needed between
computer soundcard and KX3 apply to laptops as well? How would I know? What
could I measure?
4. I had a waterfall the other day but could not get TX to light up on
the KX3.  I am using the cables sold by Elecraft.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
Julie KT4JR
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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Richard E Neese
http://k4mtx.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/kx3-fldigi-setup/

this is the easiest setup...  this will get you up and running on bpsk31
in no time

--
R.Neese
KB3VGW

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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
In reply to this post by Julie Royster
Hi Julie,

On 2) you can do it, but you have to be careful.  Any of the "system
beeps" or startup sounds may go out over the air, and you don't want that.

You don't need an elaborate USB sound card, but using one avoids making
mistakes.

73 -- Lynn

On 8/24/2013 8:28 AM, Julie Royster wrote:

> Hello all,
> I have studied the prior posts about KX3 and PSK31 but I am still not
> getting it.
>
> 1. The other day I succeeded in setting Mic Btn to OFF but today when
> I go to the menu the only choices for Mic Btn are PTT and NR - OFF no longer
> shows up as a choice!  Where did I go wrong?
> 2. Has anyone succeeded in using a LAPTOP with KX3 without an iMic or a
> signalink for PSK?  A lot of the prior posts refer to desktops that have a
> line in connection (laptop does not) or to setups using iMic or Signalink.
> 3. Would Don Wilhelm's comments about attenuators being needed between
> computer soundcard and KX3 apply to laptops as well? How would I know? What
> could I measure?
> 4. I had a waterfall the other day but could not get TX to light up on
> the KX3.  I am using the cables sold by Elecraft.
> Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
> Julie KT4JR
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Nicklas Johnson
In reply to this post by Julie Royster
Hi Julie,

A lot of laptops these days are using those annoying "combo" jacks, which
instead of having a tip, ring, and sleeve, have a tip two rings, and a
sleeve, putting the mic-in and stereo headphone-out connections one a
single jack.  Splitters are available online, but I have not been
successful in getting those splitters to work either; it seems like the
on-board audio in many laptops senses whether one has plugged in a combo
plug versus a headphone plug by looking for a specific impedance on the
microphone side, and I haven't spent the time to figure out what impedance
they expect me to present.

I got sufficiently frustrated with it that I went down to my local computer
retailer and purchased a USB "headset adapter".  It plugs into a USB port,
and has two jacks-- one for headphones, one for a microphone.  In reality
it's just a very simple sound card with one input and one output.  It works
a treat though.  Cost me all of $10, and it works with both my PC and my
Macbook Pro like a charm.  The one I have uses the C-Media chipset, and it
looks a little bit like this one, though this isn't exactly it:
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-virtual-External-Adapter-USB-AUDD/dp/B00D69U1B0/

With regard to your PTT problem, make sure you're using a program that will
do PTT via CAT command.  If it is trying to do PTT by raising CTS or RTS,
you won't get anywhere.  You may need to install FlRig and use HamRig if
you're using FlDigi.

Hope this helps,

   Nick




On 24 August 2013 08:28, Julie Royster <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello all,
> I have studied the prior posts about KX3 and PSK31 but I am still not
> getting it.
>
> 1.       The other day I succeeded in setting Mic Btn to OFF but today when
> I go to the menu the only choices for Mic Btn are PTT and NR - OFF no
> longer
> shows up as a choice!  Where did I go wrong?
> 2.      Has anyone succeeded in using a LAPTOP with KX3 without an iMic or
> a
> signalink for PSK?  A lot of the prior posts refer to desktops that have a
> line in connection (laptop does not) or to setups using iMic or Signalink.
> 3.      Would Don Wilhelm's comments about attenuators being needed between
> computer soundcard and KX3 apply to laptops as well? How would I know? What
> could I measure?
> 4.      I had a waterfall the other day but could not get TX to light up on
> the KX3.  I am using the cables sold by Elecraft.
> Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
> Julie KT4JR
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>



--
*N6OL*
Saying something doesn't make it true.  Belief in something doesn't make it
real. And if you have to lie to support a position, that position is not
worth supporting.
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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

KE6BB
In reply to this post by Julie Royster
Julie,

First of all, I assume you are trying to use the KX3 with a soundcard application like FLDIGI with the KX3 in Data A mode???  Operating in the KX3 PSK mode (PSK-D) is a bit different, and only certain software packages support it.


Re:  "The other day I succeeded in setting Mic Btn to OFF but today when I go to the menu the only choices for Mic Btn are PTT and NR..."

I assume you mean "NA" rather than "NR".  The menus are mode sensitive meaning if you are in a mode where that menu selection doesn't apply, it doesn't allow you to select it and usually says "NA".  I think mine gives me NA when I am in Data A mode.  I am sure it does when in CW mode.

Re: "Has anyone succeeded in using a LAPTOP with KX3 without an iMic or a signalink for PSK?"

Yes.  I use the internal soundcard on all my computers.  IF you are trying to decode the IQ output at the same time, you will need a second soundcard, but don't worry about that yet.  I go directly into the computer's mic input and take sound out of the phones output.  Setting up the internal computer settings is the hard part.  Every operating system is different.  I normally use an i-Mic because it is inexpensive and works well, even on my Windows machines, and avoids transmitting system sounds.  I do not see any need for Signalink, attenuators, etc. All of that just makes life more difficult.

Re:  "Would Don Wilhelm's comments about attenuators being needed between computer soundcard and KX3 apply to laptops as well? How would I know? What could I measure?"

I have tried them, but find that they just confuse the issue.  They create another variable that you have to deal with.  I just use the Elecraft cables and connect directly.  On RX, the soundcard volume (and the KX3's volume control) affect the waterfall intensity.  If either of them are too low, you won't see anything on the waterfall...to high, and you will only see very bright colors.  For Transmitt, the soundcard volume affects the ALC setting.  You don't want to get into ALC since it is a non-linear process.  See the KX3 manual and your software docs for setting soundcard volume (and ALC).


Re:  "I had a waterfall the other day but could not get TX to light up..."

What software package are you using?  The setup varies for different software packages.  In addition, sometimes the soundcard gets put on mute.  Other times, software (other than your ham radio software) will change the volume settings.  You may need to go to the operating system's soundcard settings  and adjust them every time you start up you ham radio software.  That is why a lot of hams will use a dedicated computer(s) for their operations.

Not much help here.  Just trying to give you encouragement.

Mark
KE6BB


________________________________
 From: Julie Royster <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2013 8:28 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 PSK help needed
 

Hello all,
I have studied the prior posts about KX3 and PSK31 but I am still not
getting it.

1.     The other day I succeeded in setting Mic Btn to OFF but today when
I go to the menu the only choices for Mic Btn are PTT and NR - OFF no longer
shows up as a choice!  Where did I go wrong?
2.    Has anyone succeeded in using a LAPTOP with KX3 without an iMic or a
signalink for PSK?  A lot of the prior posts refer to desktops that have a
line in connection (laptop does not) or to setups using iMic or Signalink.
3.    Would Don Wilhelm's comments about attenuators being needed between
computer soundcard and KX3 apply to laptops as well? How would I know? What
could I measure?
4.    I had a waterfall the other day but could not get TX to light up on
the KX3.  I am using the cables sold by Elecraft.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
Julie KT4JR
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Nr4c
In reply to this post by Julie Royster
Many laptops have stereo line in and mono mic in.

I think even my old Pentium 4 Dell laptop had stereo line in.

PSK31 should be quite easy.  Re-read the digital section of the manual and you should be able to get it going.

ALSO note that many button presses or menu items are mode specific.  Don't try to set mic gain in CW mode, etc.

...bill nr4c

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

Julie Royster <[hidden email]> wrote:

>Hello all,
>I have studied the prior posts about KX3 and PSK31 but I am still not
>getting it.
>
>1. The other day I succeeded in setting Mic Btn to OFF but today when
>I go to the menu the only choices for Mic Btn are PTT and NR - OFF no longer
>shows up as a choice!  Where did I go wrong?
>2. Has anyone succeeded in using a LAPTOP with KX3 without an iMic or a
>signalink for PSK?  A lot of the prior posts refer to desktops that have a
>line in connection (laptop does not) or to setups using iMic or Signalink.
>3. Would Don Wilhelm's comments about attenuators being needed between
>computer soundcard and KX3 apply to laptops as well? How would I know? What
>could I measure?
>4. I had a waterfall the other day but could not get TX to light up on
>the KX3.  I am using the cables sold by Elecraft.
>Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
>Julie KT4JR
>______________________________________________________________
>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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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Richard E Neese
In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

> You don't need an elaborate USB sound card, but using one avoids
> making mistakes.
>
You do if you use the I/Q port and a laptop as most mic inputs on
laptops are mono.
so using a usb sound card should give you stereo mic inpu for i/q audio.
If you check and make
sure the usb has stersio mic port some do some dont.

--
R.Neese
KB3VGW

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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Maybe I'm missing something.  My reasoning for a second sound card is
keeping the system sounds going out over the air.

On 8/24/2013 3:15 PM, Richard Neese wrote:
> You do if you use the I/Q port and a laptop as most mic inputs on
> laptops are mono.
> so using a usb sound card should give you stereo mic inpu for i/q
> audio. If you check and make
> sure the usb has stersio mic port some do some dont.

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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Mike Harris-9
Turn them off, that's what I have done.  Mostly they are just ear wax.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

On 24/08/2013 21:42, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> Maybe I'm missing something.  My reasoning for a second sound card is
> keeping the system sounds going out over the air.
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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Agreed, but I use my computers. They're business tools and not something
that I dedicate solely to my hobby.  I know that's a little different
from most here.

A relatively inexpensive USB soundcard is cheap insurance -- and an
expensive soundcard is still cheaper than another laptop, and one is
easier to carry than two.

73 -- Lynn

On 8/24/2013 6:01 PM, Mike Harris wrote:
> Turn them off, that's what I have done.  Mostly they are just ear wax.

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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Don Wilhelm-4
In reply to this post by Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
Lynn,

Not only keeping the system sounds from going out on the air, BUT ---
If you are using a laptop, the internal sound card typically has only a
Mic level input (no line-in).
With a mic level input, the KX3 (or K3) will overdrive the mic input
unless you provide an attenuator in the line.
Similarly, the soundcard line out is too large a level for the mic input
of the KX3, and you may need an attenuator - that depends on your
computers line out and the amount of control you have for the output level.

The 3rd reason is that many internal sound cards have a lousy noise
floor.  An external card will usually beat the internal soundcard when
the noise floors are compared.

That being said, internal soundcards have improved in the last few
years, so give it a try (especially if you have a desktop) and see if
the results are adequate for your needs - you can always add a USB
soundcard later.

73,
Don W3FPR
On 8/24/2013 8:42 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> Maybe I'm missing something.  My reasoning for a second sound card is
> keeping the system sounds going out over the air.
>

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Re: KX3 PSK help needed

Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
My last desktop machine died in 2006. It led a long and useful life, at
least two standard eternities.*

... but I realized that my laptop was twice as powerful as my desktop,
so I just switched -- and haven't looked back.

73 -- Lynn

* In computer terms, one standard eternity is three years.

On 8/24/2013 7:30 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> That being said, internal soundcards have improved in the last few
> years, so give it a try (especially if you have a desktop) and see if
> the results are adequate for your needs - you can always add a USB
> soundcard later.

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