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Newbie question re digital modes

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Elecraft mailing list

Newbie question re digital modes

I think I may just be overcome by an embarrassment of riches. I have
recently acquired a K3 and the serial to USB cable to run the utility program.
I would like to try digital -- particularly PSK31 -- which I now do with
IC7000 and Signalink TNC. I have been using FLDIGI satisfactorily. My
question is whether (1) I should try to run FLDIGI with my K3 directly through
the RS232/USB cable, (2) should I get the cable and jumper card for K3 for
the Signalink, (3) should I get the "tridentate" cable set to connect with
the K3 using the line-in/line-out/ptt connections on the back?

An amusing side thing: I had my K3 tuned to 14.070 upper side band and I
booted up FLDIGI on my laptop with no physical connection between them. To my
amazement, I saw a waterfall display and, when I placed the cursor on a
nice strong signal, I saw decoded text. I can only assume that the laptop's
microphone was open and FLDIGI picked it up from the audio output of my
radio. Alternatively, it may have been an occult message to me that I need to
better understand the mechanics of digital :-}

TNX for any advice especially if I can understand it. VY 73 de W3UEC

Stephen Dubin V.M.D., Ph. D.
Guerir quelquefois, soulager souvent, consoler toujours.
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mcduffie

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

> An amusing side thing: I had my K3 tuned to 14.070 upper side band and I
> booted up FLDIGI on my laptop with no physical connection between them. To my
> amazement, I saw a waterfall display and, when I placed the cursor on a
> nice strong signal, I saw decoded text. I can only assume that the laptop's
> microphone was open and FLDIGI picked it up from the audio output of my
> radio.

Bingo! Internal mic. You need to be sure you shut that off when you wire it
direct.

I did a demo many years ago, when PSK31 was the new guy on the block, where I
had a laptop on one end of the meeting room for our ham club and the receive
audio source on the other end. It copied perfectly, even with the room
acoustics.

Gary-AG0N
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I suggest connecting the radio to the computer via the single USB
cable. It handles the audio and the radio commands for CAT control.
The SignaLink USB is not needed nor preferred in this case. Configure
the FLDIGI application through the various menus in the software for the
radio using the HAMLIB menu in the application.

Yep, assuredly he receiver audio was being heard by the mike in the
computer.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 11/22/2015 1:33 PM, Steve via Elecraft wrote:

> I think I may just be overcome by an embarrassment of riches. I have
> recently acquired a K3 and the serial to USB cable to run the utility program.
> I would like to try digital -- particularly PSK31 -- which I now do with
> IC7000 and Signalink TNC. I have been using FLDIGI satisfactorily. My
> question is whether (1) I should try to run FLDIGI with my K3 directly through
> the RS232/USB cable, (2) should I get the cable and jumper card for K3 for
> the Signalink, (3) should I get the "tridentate" cable set to connect with
> the K3 using the line-in/line-out/ptt connections on the back?
>
> An amusing side thing: I had my K3 tuned to 14.070 upper side band and I
> booted up FLDIGI on my laptop with no physical connection between them. To my
> amazement, I saw a waterfall display and, when I placed the cursor on a
> nice strong signal, I saw decoded text. I can only assume that the laptop's
> microphone was open and FLDIGI picked it up from the audio output of my
> radio. Alternatively, it may have been an occult message to me that I need to
> better understand the mechanics of digital :-}
>
> TNX for any advice especially if I can understand it. VY 73 de W3UEC
>
> Stephen Dubin V.M.D., Ph. D.
> Guerir quelquefois, soulager souvent, consoler toujours.

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Steve,

There are many possibilities - my personal recommendations are below:

Your computer likely has a soundcard - to give data modes with the K3 a
try on the K3, just use two stereo cables between your computer and the K3.
Computer Line Out to K3 Line In, and K3 Line Out to the computer Line In
(or mic in). If your computer has only Mic In, look in the soundcard
properties window to see if you can set that input for line level.
Tell Fldigi to use that internal soundcard. The K3 and K3S have
galvanic isolation built in, so there is no real need for an isolated
interface box.
Turn off Windows Sounds so you do not play those over the air.
Use VOX on the K3. With data modes, there is no concern about ambient
room noise triggering the VOX.

After experimenting with that setup, decide whether you want to use your
existing SignaLink with the K3 or whether you want to buy another
external USB soundcard - compare the cost of the USB soundcard vs. the
K3 cables for the SignaLink. Many adequate soundcards are available at
low prices. Look at Amazon and Ebay for example, most any soundcard
will do for data modes.

If you have aspirations about using the K3 and LP-Pan for panadapter use
(in lieu of the P3) then get a USB soundcard that will do that job - 24
bits and a 192kHz rating with a low noise figure (see the soundcards
listed at www.telepostinc.com) instead of the low price soundcard. By
switching the audio cables, you can use that soundcard for both data
modes and the panadapter application.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/22/2015 2:33 PM, Steve via Elecraft wrote:

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

The question involved the K3, not the K3S. In the K3, there is an
RS-232 port rather than a USB connection - no soundcard in the K3 - at
least until the KIO3B option is available, and then more confusion will
be present and will result in asking if the owner has the KIO3B or the
K3 original KIO3.

Your answer is correct for the K3S, but not for the K3.
The fact that he specified a USB to serial cable instead of just a USB
cable tells me that he has a K3.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/22/2015 3:03 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> I suggest connecting the radio to the computer via the single USB
> cable. It handles the audio and the radio commands for CAT control.
> The SignaLink USB is not needed nor preferred in this case. Configure
> the FLDIGI application through the various menus in the software for
> the radio using the HAMLIB menu in the application.
>

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

Sorry, missed that in the subject line.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 11/22/2015 2:41 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> The question involved the K3, not the K3S.

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Wes (N7WS)

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

He said, "K3" and "Serial to USB". There is no audio on the serial port of a K3.

A K3S USB is a different story.

Steve, use the K3 Audio In/Out into the sound card of your computer directly.

On 11/22/2015 1:03 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:

> I suggest connecting the radio to the computer via the single USB cable. It
> handles the audio and the radio commands for CAT control. The SignaLink USB
> is not needed nor preferred in this case. Configure the FLDIGI application
> through the various menus in the software for the radio using the HAMLIB menu
> in the application.
>
> Yep, assuredly he receiver audio was being heard by the mike in the computer.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
> On 11/22/2015 1:33 PM, Steve via Elecraft wrote:
>> I think I may just be overcome by an embarrassment of riches. I have
>> recently acquired a K3 and the serial to USB cable to run the utility program.
>> I would like to try digital -- particularly PSK31 -- which I now do with
>> IC7000 and Signalink TNC. I have been using FLDIGI satisfactorily. My
>> question is whether (1) I should try to run FLDIGI with my K3 directly through
>> the RS232/USB cable, (2) should I get the cable and jumper card for K3 for
>> the Signalink, (3) should I get the "tridentate" cable set to connect with
>> the K3 using the line-in/line-out/ptt connections on the back?
>> An amusing side thing: I had my K3 tuned to 14.070 upper side band and I
>> booted up FLDIGI on my laptop with no physical connection between them. To my
>> amazement, I saw a waterfall display and, when I placed the cursor on a
>> nice strong signal, I saw decoded text. I can only assume that the laptop's
>> microphone was open and FLDIGI picked it up from the audio output of my
>> radio. Alternatively, it may have been an occult message to me that I need to
>> better understand the mechanics of digital :-}
>> TNX for any advice especially if I can understand it. VY 73 de W3UEC
>> Stephen Dubin V.M.D., Ph. D.
>> Guerir quelquefois, soulager souvent, consoler toujours.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>

Edward R Cole

Re: Newbie question re digital modes

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I run FLdigi to my K3 via two stereo audio cables (spkr out to K3
line-in; line-in to k3 line-out) and a RS232/USB conversion cable for
controlling PTT on the K3. I use an external souncard with manual
level adjustments (knobs) which I find handy over getting dialog
windows in the computer to make level adjustments. I also run
WSJT10, WSPRx, and MAP65 so levels are different with each sw.

I am able to run all the FLdigi modes including CW, which I prefer
keyboarding when involved in CW-eme as I can set up special scripts
to send. Most used digital mode is psk-31.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[hidden email]

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