Elecraft

KX3: iPad spectrum display

Classic

List

Threaded

3 messages Options

Jim Sheldon

KX3: iPad spectrum display

Having seen the KX3 producing a spectrum display (although without actual frequency information from the radio itself) on an Apple iPad at the Plano, TX hamfest, and finally getting my own KX3, I started looking for a way to do this myself.

The free iSDR app will produce the display if you can get the KX3's I and Q outputs into the iPad via some sort of sound card device. Turns out that at least some of the iPads can accept USB input from some supported devices through an available camera adapter which has the input connector to the iPad on one end and a female USB connector on the other end of a short cable. The audio device I found that most everyone used was the Griffin Technologies iMic, but after getting one of the new 16Gig iPad's this afternoon, none of the stores in the Wichita area had even heard of the iMic let alone had one in stock.

I had been using a TASCAM US-100 USB sound card to capture high quality stereo audio on my laptop rather than try to use the microphone input and for grins and giggles, I plugged it into the camera adapter and hooked up the KX3's I/Q cable to the stereo "line" input. Got no results until I remembered to turn on the I/Q outputs in the KX3's menu -- BINGO, works like a champ and with the super high resolution "Retina" display on the new iPad, it really looks nice.

Now, I had to quit playing with it and put the iPad back on the charger which, unfortunately uses the same input as the camera adapter - LOL. Tomorrow I'll have to learn how to run Ham Log without a "pigtail" for the time being until the supplier gets back from his travels in a few days and I can order one.

Jim - W0EB

______________________________________________________________
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

Giampiero Raschetti

Re: KX3: iPad spectrum display

Good job
Griffin iMIc interface can easily be found on amazon.

Giampiero - IW2ESL

Sent from my iPad

On Dec 2, 2012, at 2:48 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Having seen the KX3 producing a spectrum display (although without actual frequency information from the radio itself) on an Apple iPad at the Plano, TX hamfest, and finally getting my own KX3, I started looking for a way to do this myself.
>
> The free iSDR app will produce the display if you can get the KX3's I and Q outputs into the iPad via some sort of sound card device. Turns out that at least some of the iPads can accept USB input from some supported devices through an available camera adapter which has the input connector to the iPad on one end and a female USB connector on the other end of a short cable. The audio device I found that most everyone used was the Griffin Technologies iMic, but after getting one of the new 16Gig iPad's this afternoon, none of the stores in the Wichita area had even heard of the iMic let alone had one in stock.
>
> I had been using a TASCAM US-100 USB sound card to capture high quality stereo audio on my laptop rather than try to use the microphone input and for grins and giggles, I plugged it into the camera adapter and hooked up the KX3's I/Q cable to the stereo "line" input. Got no results until I remembered to turn on the I/Q outputs in the KX3's menu -- BINGO, works like a champ and with the super high resolution "Retina" display on the new iPad, it really looks nice.
>
> Now, I had to quit playing with it and put the iPad back on the charger which, unfortunately uses the same input as the camera adapter - LOL. Tomorrow I'll have to learn how to run Ham Log without a "pigtail" for the time being until the supplier gets back from his travels in a few days and I can order one.
>
> Jim - W0EB
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Andrew Moore-3

Re: KX3: iPad spectrum display

In reply to this post by Jim Sheldon

I originally tried a stereo USB sound card but found that the iPad didn't
recognize it. Ended up going the iSDR / Griffin iMic route, through the
Apple camera connectivity kit, and it worked. I ordered the Griffin through
Amazon because, as you have found, the local stories 1) never heard of it
and 2) don't carry it.

73,
--Andrew, NV1B
maineware.net
..

On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 8:48 PM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Having seen the KX3 producing a spectrum display (although without actual
> frequency information from the radio itself) on an Apple iPad at the Plano,
> TX hamfest, and finally getting my own KX3, I started looking for a way to
> do this myself.
>
> The free iSDR app will produce the display if you can get the KX3's I and
> Q outputs into the iPad via some sort of sound card device. Turns out that
> at least some of the iPads can accept USB input from some supported devices
> through an available camera adapter which has the input connector to the
> iPad on one end and a female USB connector on the other end of a short
> cable. The audio device I found that most everyone used was the Griffin
> Technologies iMic, but after getting one of the new 16Gig iPad's this
> afternoon, none of the stores in the Wichita area had even heard of the
> iMic let alone had one in stock.
>
>