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KX3 won’t unkey properly

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Jose Campione

KX3 won’t unkey properly

A problem similar to the one detected by Dan Sherwood with the K3 some
months ago (see his posting of Jul 13, 2014) is now resurfacing with the
KX3:

When operating a digital mode, with the rig in USB or Data, when the
transmission ceases (i.e. the KX3 no longer transmits any signal) the TX
light on the rig remains on and the unit remains in idle. I then have to
manually touch on XMIT to return the rig to receive.

I am using Flrig v. 3.22.5, the computer is a MacBook Pro Retina running
OSX Yosemite 10.10.2. the KX3 is updated to the last firmware version and
the Signalik USB uses the SLMODKX3 module and proper cables and
connections. I have tried differents settings for the JP2, JP3 and JP4
jumpers in the Signalink USB but to no avail. The settings of the MIC BIAS
and MIC BTN in the KX3 menu also do not improve on this.

Any suggestion is more than welcome.

73 Jose VA3PCJ
[hidden email]
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: KX3 won’t unkey properly

Make sure that you are not generating PTT by software command in fldigi
and PTT via the VOX in Signalink at the same time. The "stuck in
transmit" behavior seems to be associated with mixing software and
hardware PTT.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2015-02-20 3:04 PM, Jose Campione wrote:

> A problem similar to the one detected by Dan Sherwood with the K3 some
> months ago (see his posting of Jul 13, 2014) is now resurfacing with the
> KX3:
>
> When operating a digital mode, with the rig in USB or Data, when the
> transmission ceases (i.e. the KX3 no longer transmits any signal) the TX
> light on the rig remains on and the unit remains in idle. I then have to
> manually touch on XMIT to return the rig to receive.
>
> I am using Flrig v. 3.22.5, the computer is a MacBook Pro Retina running
> OSX Yosemite 10.10.2. the KX3 is updated to the last firmware version and
> the Signalik USB uses the SLMODKX3 module and proper cables and
> connections. I have tried differents settings for the JP2, JP3 and JP4
> jumpers in the Signalink USB but to no avail. The settings of the MIC BIAS
> and MIC BTN in the KX3 menu also do not improve on this.
>
> Any suggestion is more than welcome.
>
> 73 Jose VA3PCJ
> [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

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ve3ibw

Re: KX3 won’t unkey properly

Joe, that is good advice. I personally haven't run into this problem as I
always run PTT via VOX. I use FLDigi on a Macbook connected to the KX3
directly and use VOX only. It works brilliantly. The Macbook is a little
older and has both line in and headphone jacks. I don't use my signalink
with the KX3. The KX3 audio output and mic input are great. I have
posted previously on this reflector my KX3 settings to help achieve this
nirvana.

regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

On Fri, Feb 20, 2015 at 3:37 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Make sure that you are not generating PTT by software command in fldigi
> and PTT via the VOX in Signalink at the same time. The "stuck in
> transmit" behavior seems to be associated with mixing software and
> hardware PTT.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>

Regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

Jose Campione

Re: KX3 won’t unkey properly

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Thank you Joe. That is a good suggestion. However I have checked and as far as I can tell there is no conflicting PTT actions. I also use DATA A as the recommended mode in the KX3 and do not use VOX. I believe that PTT is either via RigCAT or Hamlib, and no PTT port is provided in the Fldigi configuration. Everything works fine except for that the KX3 refuses to completely unkey on its own.

I unlikely to encounter this problem for long because I have decided to order a USB sound card hub to provide the MacBook Retina with an external sound card with audio input and output. The MacBook Retina is supposed to have external input and output via the single stereo audio port using a 4-ring stereo plug, but in my experience this did not work. Besides using an external sound card makes also sense to avoid spurious signals from the environment. I'll be using the Signalink with my desk radio and keep the little audio hub for the occasional digital with the KX3 from the trail.

Much appreciated.

73 Jose VA3PCJ