New K3 KIO3 Line In/Out problem

[Neoklis Kyriazis]

Hi

I am trying to set up my newly completed K3 s/n 5750 to work on digital
modes with my desktop computer and my own Linux software (PSK31 and
Hell). I am having problems with the Line Out and Line In connections
of the KIO3 unit.

The output from the Line Out socket is of very low amplitude and the
only way to get anything on the waterfal is to set the LIN OUT config
to =PHONES and turn up the volume very high. Also I need to connect to
the sound card's Mic input instead of Line, and use full Mic boost and
Mic volume at the same time.

The Line In connection requires full volume for the sound card's
output and full Line gain (60) in the K3 to get any power output in
SSB mode. I have set the main menu to LIN IN for the microphone input.

Another thing that worries me a little is that changing the LIN OUT
from =PHONES to NOR makes no difference. The output from the Line Out
remains unchanged by the setting of NORM, down to 000 indication.

I feel that there is something wrong in the KIO3 card, although I have
tested all other connections, including the RS232 remote control, and
they work. Only Line Out and Line In are apparently faulty.

Please tell me it isn't! That I have gotten something wrong in the
configuration or setup of the rig. It will be difficult for me to remove
the KIO3 and try to fix it or replace -:(

 
Regards

Neoklis - Ham Radio Call 5B4AZ
QTH Locator KM64KR
Website: http://www.qsl.net/5b4az/
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[Rick WA6NHC]

Neoklis,

Congratulations on the new K3.  I've had mine a couple months now and love
it.

The K3 easily passes enough audio from the line in/out ports to drive a
sound card.  The problem for my shack computer system is too much audio, I
have to keep the levels set low, almost off.  

Have you tried plugging some amplified computer speakers to the line out and
adjust the line out level from the front panel?  That would confirm that the
line out is working.  I left mine set at the default '10' and adjusted the
sound card control to bring it down to the appropriate level.  I don't use
the =PHONES which allows me to listen (or not) to the digital modes without
bothering the settings on the line in/out.

Some of the linux audio control programs work, um, differently than
expected.  It sounds like you're working at levels that would indicate
leakage between ports rather than setting the correct audio port level.
Perhaps try adjusting other controls in case line in is actually listed as
something else?

I use CentOS and alsamix to set levels for my IRLP nodes.  While it works,
the controls have different labels from aumix and required some
experimentation to get them to appropriate levels.

73,

Rick WA6NHC

-----Original Message-----
From: Neoklis Kyriazis

Hi

I am trying to set up my newly completed K3 s/n 5750 to work on digital
modes with my desktop computer and my own Linux software (PSK31 and
Hell). I am having problems with the Line Out and Line In connections
of the KIO3 unit.

The output from the Line Out socket is of very low amplitude and the
only way to get anything on the waterfal is to set the LIN OUT config
to =PHONES and turn up the volume very high. Also I need to connect to
the sound card's Mic input instead of Line, and use full Mic boost and
Mic volume at the same time.

The Line In connection requires full volume for the sound card's
output and full Line gain (60) in the K3 to get any power output in
SSB mode. I have set the main menu to LIN IN for the microphone input.

Another thing that worries me a little is that changing the LIN OUT
from =PHONES to NOR makes no difference. The output from the Line Out
remains unchanged by the setting of NORM, down to 000 indication.

I feel that there is something wrong in the KIO3 card, although I have
tested all other connections, including the RS232 remote control, and
they work. Only Line Out and Line In are apparently faulty.

Please tell me it isn't! That I have gotten something wrong in the
configuration or setup of the rig. It will be difficult for me to remove
the KIO3 and try to fix it or replace -:(

 
Regards

Neoklis - Ham Radio Call 5B4AZ
QTH Locator KM64KR
Website: http://www.qsl.net/5b4az/

______________________________________________________________
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[Neoklis Kyriazis]

Hi all, and my thanks for the replies.

I have carried out some extra tests and here is what I have:

I have tried plugging a Logitech VOIP headphone in LINE OUT but can hear nothing.

I have connected my amplified speakers in LINE OUT but I only got some hum.


Switching CONFIG LIN OUT between NOR and =PHONES makes no difference.

When I select CONFIG SPKR+PH NO, the speaker goes silent after a second or so
and what little I get on the waterfall stops. It seems to me that there is no output
at all from LINE OUT and somehow the AF from the speaker is finding its way into
the cable from LINE OUT to MIC IN of the computer. (By the way, with no
headphones or speakers plugged in anywhere, shouldn't I have sound from the
 K3 speaker even with CONFIG SPKR+PH NO ?).

Finally, I tested the software side by plugging my 137 MHz APT/NOAA satellite
receiver into the computer sound card in place of the K3 and it worked (got some
nice pics of the Wx here -:) ). The cables I use for the K3 have no attenuators
built in.

I think I have a hardware fault here only on Line In/Out, as all else works on the
KIO3, including the RS232 connector (got the K3util to work out of the box in
Puppy Linux). What could help me a lot is if someone could verify for me that
a VOIP headphone plugged in Line Out produces audible signal, and under what
MENU/CONFIG and K3 settings it does so. I think the headphones would be the
best way to test for output on Line Out.

My thanks is advance!

 
Regards

Neoklis - Ham Radio Call 5B4AZ
QTH Locator KM64KR
Website: http://www.qsl.net/5b4az/
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[Rick WA6NHC]

One piece of info is missing.  Are you setting the line in/out levels at the
K3 or just at the computer?  You need to do it at both places.

In DATA A mode: select the line in as the 'microphone input' and the mic
gain controls the transmit audio level from the computer (you find the
proper balance between the computer and K3 controls for no IMD).  When you
change modes (USB/LSB/FM/CW) the transmit audio source will stay at whatever
you have it set for (mic for SSB, line for data, etc.).

Line out is active in all modes but the output level must be set from the
menu.  (From memory, mine is set to 10.)  It won't drive headphones well.

I can check my settings in the morning.  There are separate menu settings
for both line in/out and if they're (near) zero, you won't get much audio.

This is nicer because the speaker/headphone level is independent from the
line in/out level.

Rick WA6NHC

-----Original Message-----
From: Neoklis Kyriazis

Hi all, and my thanks for the replies.

I have carried out some extra tests and here is what I have:

I have tried plugging a Logitech VOIP headphone in LINE OUT but can hear
nothing.

I have connected my amplified speakers in LINE OUT but I only got some hum.


Switching CONFIG LIN OUT between NOR and =PHONES makes no difference.

When I select CONFIG SPKR+PH NO, the speaker goes silent after a second or
so
and what little I get on the waterfall stops. It seems to me that there is
no output
at all from LINE OUT and somehow the AF from the speaker is finding its way
into
the cable from LINE OUT to MIC IN of the computer. (By the way, with no
headphones or speakers plugged in anywhere, shouldn't I have sound from the
 K3 speaker even with CONFIG SPKR+PH NO ?).

Finally, I tested the software side by plugging my 137 MHz APT/NOAA
satellite
receiver into the computer sound card in place of the K3 and it worked (got
some
nice pics of the Wx here -:) ). The cables I use for the K3 have no
attenuators
built in.

I think I have a hardware fault here only on Line In/Out, as all else works
on the
KIO3, including the RS232 connector (got the K3util to work out of the box
in
Puppy Linux). What could help me a lot is if someone could verify for me
that
a VOIP headphone plugged in Line Out produces audible signal, and under what
MENU/CONFIG and K3 settings it does so. I think the headphones would be the
best way to test for output on Line Out.

My thanks is advance!

 
Regards

Neoklis - Ham Radio Call 5B4AZ
QTH Locator KM64KR
Website: http://www.qsl.net/5b4az/
______________________________________________________________
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