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KX3 to Computer

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Forest Shick

KX3 to Computer

What is the easiest way to connect the KX3 to a computer for RTTY, PSK31 &
SSTV. I have purchased the cable set. I connect the KX3 - Phones connector
to the computer audio in and I can receive RTTY & SSTV. If I connect the
computer audio out to the KX3 MIC, the radio goes into transmit. I would
guess this is because the connector on the cable is incorrect for the MIC
connector - too few contacts.

So how do you connect the audio for transmitting?

Thank You

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Martin Waller

Re: KX3 to Computer

Hi,
Good questions. I have been playing with RTTY myself this last few days and hit just that problem. I have been holding the microphone infront of the PC speaker in the interim as that worked as a temporary solution.
I would like to know the best way of doing this too.
MartinG0PJO

On Wednesday, 28 October 2015, 20:58, Forest Shick <[hidden email]> wrote:

What is the easiest way to connect the KX3 to a computer for RTTY, PSK31 &
SSTV. I have purchased the cable set. I connect the KX3 - Phones connector
to the computer audio in and I can receive RTTY & SSTV. If I connect the
computer audio out to the KX3 MIC, the radio goes into transmit. I would
guess this is because the connector on the cable is incorrect for the MIC
connector - too few contacts.

So how do you connect the audio for transmitting?

Thank You

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Lyle Johnson

Re: KX3 to Computer

Disable the mic buttons (see menu items) and use VOX (or a serial port
command) to switch between Tx and Rx depending on your program's features.

And be sure to set MIG GAIN to ZERO then gradually increase it to get
the 4-5 bars of ALC indication. If the MIC GAIN is too high for the
computer's audio level, the ALC bar graph and the transmit audio levels
may not respond properly (this is a bug on my short list to fix).

73,

Lyle KK7P

> Good question...I have been holding the microphone infront of the PC speaker in the interim as that worked as a temporary solution.
> ...
>
> What is the easiest way to connect the KX3 to a computer for RTTY, PSK31 &
> SSTV...
>
> So how do you connect the audio for transmitting?

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Martin Waller

Re: KX3 to Computer

Hi Lyle

Many thanks for the complete explanation. I'll give it a whirl.

Martin
G0PJO

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Oct 2015, at 21:44, Lyle Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Disable the mic buttons (see menu items) and use VOX (or a serial port command) to switch between Tx and Rx depending on your program's features.
>
> And be sure to set MIG GAIN to ZERO then gradually increase it to get the 4-5 bars of ALC indication. If the MIC GAIN is too high for the computer's audio level, the ALC bar graph and the transmit audio levels may not respond properly (this is a bug on my short list to fix).
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
>
>> Good question...I have been holding the microphone infront of the PC speaker in the interim as that worked as a temporary solution.
>> ...
>>
>> What is the easiest way to connect the KX3 to a computer for RTTY, PSK31 &
>> SSTV...
>>
>> So how do you connect the audio for transmitting?
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Re: KX3 to Computer

This looks useful: https://k4mtx.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/kx3-fldigi-setup/

It's specific to FLDIGI, but all of the soundcard modes require pretty
much the same wiring.

Please note: if you hold the microphone to the PC speaker, the
microphone will pick up background noise and transmit that all over the
band.

Generally speaking, you'll be operating in a part of the band that
discourages wideband noise.

73 -- Lynn
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Martin Waller

Re: KX3 to Computer

Hi

Thanks for the tip about holding the microphone! I've only played on 2m so far so I should not have upset too many people!

Martin

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Oct 2015, at 22:16, "Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> This looks useful: https://k4mtx.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/kx3-fldigi-setup/
>
> It's specific to FLDIGI, but all of the soundcard modes require pretty much the same wiring.
>
> Please note: if you hold the microphone to the PC speaker, the microphone will pick up background noise and transmit that all over the band.
>
> Generally speaking, you'll be operating in a part of the band that discourages wideband noise.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Forest Shick

Re: KX3 to Computer

In reply to this post by Martin Waller

Thank you for all the information.
I set the MIC BTN to OFF and adjusted the MIC GAIN for 4 bars (ALC) and turned on VOX.

I am able to TX and RX SSTV, PSK32 and RTTY. (No contacts mostly receiving and transmitting into a dummy load until I have all the bugs worked out.)

BUT I have to disconnect the LINE OUT from the computer to monitor the received signal and then plug it back in to transmit.

Plugging in the LINE OUT connector to the computer mutes the computer speaker.

Any ideas on this issue.

Thank You,
Forest
WA2MZG

-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Waller [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 5:21 PM
To: Forest Shick <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

Hi,
Good questions. I have been playing with RTTY myself this last few days and hit just that problem. I have been holding the microphone infront of the PC speaker in the interim as that worked as a temporary solution.
I would like to know the best way of doing this too.
MartinG0PJO

On Wednesday, 28 October 2015, 20:58, Forest Shick <[hidden email]> wrote:

What is the easiest way to connect the KX3 to a computer for RTTY, PSK31 & SSTV. I have purchased the cable set. I connect the KX3 - Phones connector to the computer audio in and I can receive RTTY & SSTV. If I connect the computer audio out to the KX3 MIC, the radio goes into transmit. I would guess this is because the connector on the cable is incorrect for the MIC connector - too few contacts.

So how do you connect the audio for transmitting?

Thank You

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KX3 to Computer

Forest,

That sounds like a problem between you and your computer.
If you are specific about the computer you are using, perhaps someone
with the same setup can help you. I think the solution (if any) will be
found in the soundcard mixer. It may or may not allow the selection of
Line Out plus speaker.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/29/2015 5:40 PM, Forest Shick wrote:

> Thank you for all the information.
> I set the MIC BTN to OFF and adjusted the MIC GAIN for 4 bars (ALC) and turned on VOX.
>
> I am able to TX and RX SSTV, PSK32 and RTTY. (No contacts mostly receiving and transmitting into a dummy load until I have all the bugs worked out.)
>
> BUT I have to disconnect the LINE OUT from the computer to monitor the received signal and then plug it back in to transmit.
>
> Plugging in the LINE OUT connector to the computer mutes the computer speaker.
>
>

Forest Shick

Re: KX3 to Computer

That was too easy! I did as Bill suggested and used a Y connector.

--... ...--
Forest
WA2MZG

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 5:56 PM
To: Forest Shick <[hidden email]>; 'Martin Waller'
<[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

Forest,

That sounds like a problem between you and your computer.
If you are specific about the computer you are using, perhaps someone with
the same setup can help you. I think the solution (if any) will be found in
the soundcard mixer. It may or may not allow the selection of Line Out plus
speaker.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/29/2015 5:40 PM, Forest Shick wrote:
> Thank you for all the information.
> I set the MIC BTN to OFF and adjusted the MIC GAIN for 4 bars (ALC) and
turned on VOX.
>
> I am able to TX and RX SSTV, PSK32 and RTTY. (No contacts mostly
> receiving and transmitting into a dummy load until I have all the bugs
> worked out.)
>
> BUT I have to disconnect the LINE OUT from the computer to monitor the
received signal and then plug it back in to transmit.
>
> Plugging in the LINE OUT connector to the computer mutes the computer
speaker.
>
>

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Jim Brown-10

Re: KX3 to Computer

On Fri,10/30/2015 7:00 AM, Forest Shick wrote:
> That was too easy! I did as Bill suggested and used a Y connector.

I found another useful part on amazon. It's a StarTech cable adapter
with an RTTS plug that splits headphones to an RTS jack and the mic to
another RTS jack. Under $5

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SP0WAQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Just received it a few days ago. It looks fairly robust for a low cost
consumer product.

73, Jim K9YC
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Augie "Gus" Hansen

Re: KX3 to Computer

Hi Jim,

> ...
> I found another useful part on amazon. It's a StarTech cable adapter
> with an RTTS plug that splits headphones to an RTS jack and the mic to
> another RTS jack. Under $5
>
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SP0WAQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
>

I think you mean TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) plug and TRS
(tip-ring-sleeve) jacks.

73,
Gus Hansen
KB0YH

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Jim Brown-10

Re: KX3 to Computer

On Fri,10/30/2015 12:25 PM, Augie "Gus" Hansen wrote:
> I think you mean TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) plug and TRS
> (tip-ring-sleeve) jacks.

Right. :)

73, Jim
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Stephen Shearer

Re: KX3 to Computer

In reply to this post by Forest Shick

I take the answers you got one step further. Yes, I use the control COM
port for PTT. Yes, you need to change the mike functions (buttons/PTT).
I also use an "extra" USB sound card for the radio audio I/O so that
the system sounds still can come from the computer. Some digital mode
software "talks" to you. JT65 alerts for one. The extra sound card
also keeps the computer boot sounds from transmitting to all...

steve WB3LGC

On 28-Oct-15 4:58 PM, Forest Shick wrote:

> What is the easiest way to connect the KX3 to a computer for RTTY, PSK31 &
> SSTV. I have purchased the cable set. I connect the KX3 - Phones connector
> to the computer audio in and I can receive RTTY & SSTV. If I connect the
> computer audio out to the KX3 MIC, the radio goes into transmit. I would
> guess this is because the connector on the cable is incorrect for the MIC
> connector - too few contacts.
>
>
>
> So how do you connect the audio for transmitting?
>
> Thank You
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>