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PSK31 on my K3

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Garry Shapiro

PSK31 on my K3

I have spent considerable time trying to nail down PSK31 operation with
my K3. I have made some Q's, but questions remain.

My setup is a K3, MicroKeyer (Router 7.2.4) and DX4WIN 7.03. I use the
AF4TY PSK app. included in DX4WIN. I have pestered Ira, K2RD who
recently co-rewrote the setup guide for MicroKeyer, and he has been
graciously helpful with my many MK issues in the past. What I would like
is to reconcile what is in the K3 Owners Manual (rev. D5) with what is
in the MicroKeyer (MK) setup guide, and to fully understand and access
my data mode options.

Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under /Data Mode Selection, /suggests
that soundcard-based data communications can utilize either LSB/USB or
DATA mode--in this case DATA A. (PSK D does not appear to be relevant to
this discussion.) Tonight, with K2RD's help, I achieved transmitted PSK
using USB mode. The MK Router setup guide appeared to be incorrect for
this approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the /same
/(virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira instructed instead to
assign a /separate /virtual port, which was necessary to place the
Router in Voice mode during transmit to allow keying the K3. This
appears to be OK, but it will require some on-air operation to verify. A
minor annoyance is the necessity to zero out Compression, which is
performed automatically in DATA A mode.

Several days earlier, I had managed to achieve PSK output using TX DATA
mode with DATA A mode--but I have been unable to duplicate that success!
I believe I succeeded at that time by following the instruction in Step
3 of the MK Router setup guide to assign the /same /virtual port for
both PTT and the Radio, but now the MK remains in Digital mode and there
is no output when TX mode is initiated.

I would like to use DATA A mode so as not to have to remember to zero
the Compression and would also like the option to use AFSK RTTY, which
would also require DATA A. (For RTTY, I have avoided this issue by using
FSK with MMTTY, and I have so far had no interest in text decoding.)

I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3 manual to be
thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.

I am sure this audience can fill in the holes.

Garry, NI6T

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: PSK31 on my K3

Gerry,

I believe the inclusion of the MicroHam interface and Router is
complicating the K3 data modes operation for you.
If your only use of the MicroHam interface is to use data modes on the
K3, then I suggest you eliminate it from the setup.

You may perceive the K3 setup for data modes as "thin", but there
really is not much required to say for the K3 itself.
The K3 contains all that is necessary with no interface required -
isolation is included inside the K3. Just connect your computer
soundcard line in and line out jacks to the K3 line-out and line-in
jacks. Two cables with 3.5mm stereo jacks on each end are all that are
required. In DATA mode on the K3, select Line In in the MIC SEL menu
and you should be good to go.

You may operate with the K3 in VOX and it will work FB. If you choose
to use PTT, you will also need a serial cable from the computer to the
K3 RS-232 connector. Then check your application to see how it asserts
PTT and set the CONFIG: PTT--KEY menu parameter to match whichever pin
your application is using. Ham Radio Deluxe/DM780 can activate transmit
using commands to the K3 in the serial data stream,

73,
Don W3FPR

Garry Shapiro wrote:

> I have spent considerable time trying to nail down PSK31 operation with
> my K3. I have made some Q's, but questions remain.
>
>
> I would like to use DATA A mode so as not to have to remember to zero
> the Compression and would also like the option to use AFSK RTTY, which
> would also require DATA A. (For RTTY, I have avoided this issue by using
> FSK with MMTTY, and I have so far had no interest in text decoding.)
>
> I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3 manual to be
> thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.
>
> I am sure this audience can fill in the holes.
>
> Garry, NI6T
>
>

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Richard Ferch

Re: PSK31 on my K3

In reply to this post by Garry Shapiro

Garry,

1. Re PTT: If you are using the same (virtual) port for PTT as for radio
control, then there are two issues you need to be aware of: (i) the K3's
CONFIG:PTT-KEY must be set to RTS-OFF, not OFF-OFF - if it is set to
OFF-OFF, PTT will not work via this pathway; and (ii) some digital-mode
software may not support this configuration. Using a separate virtual
port to control the PTT signal on the K3's ACC port should work without
the need for any configuration setup in the K3, but of course your
software will have to be set up to use the correct port.

2. If you have a configuration that works in USB, the identical
configuration should work in DATA A. The only catch I can think of at
the moment is that you should check the audio switching in the Router to
make sure it is appropriate in both cases.

3. For AFSK RTTY with MMTTY, you should really use AFSK A mode, not DATA
A. If you use DATA A, you will have to set MMTTY to REV and the
frequency readout on the radio's dial will be incorrect. If you select
Sound + Com-TxD(FSK) in MMTTY, you can switch seamlessly back and forth
between AFSK A and FSK D without retuning or changing any settings other
than the mode on the radio. I use such a setup, and the only difference
I can see between AFSK A and FSK D is that my transmitted signal appears
to be slightly cleaner in AFSK A.

73,
Rich VE3KI

NI6T wrote:

> I have spent considerable time trying to nail down PSK31 operation with
> my K3. I have made some Q's, but questions remain.
>
> My setup is a K3, MicroKeyer (Router 7.2.4) and DX4WIN 7.03. I use the
> AF4TY PSK app. included in DX4WIN. I have pestered Ira, K2RD who
> recently co-rewrote the setup guide for MicroKeyer, and he has been
> graciously helpful with my many MK issues in the past. What I would like
> is to reconcile what is in the K3 Owners Manual (rev. D5) with what is
> in the MicroKeyer (MK) setup guide, and to fully understand and access
> my data mode options.
>
> Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under /Data Mode Selection, /suggests
> that soundcard-based data communications can utilize either LSB/USB or
> DATA mode--in this case DATA A. (PSK D does not appear to be relevant to
> this discussion.) Tonight, with K2RD's help, I achieved transmitted PSK
> using USB mode. The MK Router setup guide appeared to be incorrect for
> this approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the /same
> /(virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira instructed instead to
> assign a /separate /virtual port, which was necessary to place the
> Router in Voice mode during transmit to allow keying the K3. This
> appears to be OK, but it will require some on-air operation to verify. A
> minor annoyance is the necessity to zero out Compression, which is
> performed automatically in DATA A mode.
>
> Several days earlier, I had managed to achieve PSK output using TX DATA
> mode with DATA A mode--but I have been unable to duplicate that success!
> I believe I succeeded at that time by following the instruction in Step
> 3 of the MK Router setup guide to assign the /same /virtual port for
> both PTT and the Radio, but now the MK remains in Digital mode and there
> is no output when TX mode is initiated.
>
> I would like to use DATA A mode so as not to have to remember to zero
> the Compression and would also like the option to use AFSK RTTY, which
> would also require DATA A. (For RTTY, I have avoided this issue by using
> FSK with MMTTY, and I have so far had no interest in text decoding.)
>
> I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3 manual to be
> thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.
>
> I am sure this audience can fill in the holes.
>
> Garry, NI6T

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Re: PSK31 on my K3

In reply to this post by Garry Shapiro

Garry,

By way of "filling in the holes" as you said:
A couple years ago I wrote about setting up my K3 for PSK31. See
http://wilcoxengineering.com/projects/amateur-projects/24-configure-the-k3-for-psk31

One of these days I need to revisit the whole issue. In my spare time! hi.

73, Alan

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
Williamsport, PA 17701

Garry Shapiro wrote:

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: PSK31 on my K3

In reply to this post by Richard Ferch

> 1. Re PTT: If you are using the same (virtual) port for PTT
> as for radio control, then there are two issues you need to
> be aware of:

Not true. microHAM interfaces provide the PTT signal on the
mic cable or the rear panel PTT connection. They DO NOT pass
the DTR/RTS lines through to the K2 or K3.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Ferch
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 9:32 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PSK31 on my K3
>
>
> Garry,
>
> 1. Re PTT: If you are using the same (virtual) port for PTT
> as for radio
> control, then there are two issues you need to be aware of:
> (i) the K3's
> CONFIG:PTT-KEY must be set to RTS-OFF, not OFF-OFF - if it is set to
> OFF-OFF, PTT will not work via this pathway; and (ii) some
> digital-mode
> software may not support this configuration. Using a separate virtual
> port to control the PTT signal on the K3's ACC port should
> work without
> the need for any configuration setup in the K3, but of course your
> software will have to be set up to use the correct port.
>
> 2. If you have a configuration that works in USB, the identical
> configuration should work in DATA A. The only catch I can think of at
> the moment is that you should check the audio switching in
> the Router to
> make sure it is appropriate in both cases.
>
> 3. For AFSK RTTY with MMTTY, you should really use AFSK A
> mode, not DATA
> A. If you use DATA A, you will have to set MMTTY to REV and the
> frequency readout on the radio's dial will be incorrect. If
> you select
> Sound + Com-TxD(FSK) in MMTTY, you can switch seamlessly back
> and forth
> between AFSK A and FSK D without retuning or changing any
> settings other
> than the mode on the radio. I use such a setup, and the only
> difference
> I can see between AFSK A and FSK D is that my transmitted
> signal appears
> to be slightly cleaner in AFSK A.
>
> 73,
> Rich VE3KI
>
> NI6T wrote:
>
> > I have spent considerable time trying to nail down PSK31 operation
> > with
> > my K3. I have made some Q's, but questions remain.
> >
> > My setup is a K3, MicroKeyer (Router 7.2.4) and DX4WIN
> 7.03. I use the
> > AF4TY PSK app. included in DX4WIN. I have pestered Ira, K2RD who
> > recently co-rewrote the setup guide for MicroKeyer, and he has been
> > graciously helpful with my many MK issues in the past. What
> I would like
> > is to reconcile what is in the K3 Owners Manual (rev. D5)
> with what is
> > in the MicroKeyer (MK) setup guide, and to fully understand
> and access
> > my data mode options.
> >
> > Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under /Data Mode Selection,
> /suggests
> > that soundcard-based data communications can utilize either
> LSB/USB or
> > DATA mode--in this case DATA A. (PSK D does not appear to
> be relevant to
> > this discussion.) Tonight, with K2RD's help, I achieved
> transmitted PSK
> > using USB mode. The MK Router setup guide appeared to be
> incorrect for
> > this approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the /same
> > /(virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira
> instructed instead to
> > assign a /separate /virtual port, which was necessary to place the
> > Router in Voice mode during transmit to allow keying the K3. This
> > appears to be OK, but it will require some on-air operation
> to verify. A
> > minor annoyance is the necessity to zero out Compression, which is
> > performed automatically in DATA A mode.
> >
> > Several days earlier, I had managed to achieve PSK output using TX
> > DATA
> > mode with DATA A mode--but I have been unable to duplicate
> that success!
> > I believe I succeeded at that time by following the
> instruction in Step
> > 3 of the MK Router setup guide to assign the /same /virtual
> port for
> > both PTT and the Radio, but now the MK remains in Digital
> mode and there
> > is no output when TX mode is initiated.
> >
> > I would like to use DATA A mode so as not to have to
> remember to zero
> > the Compression and would also like the option to use AFSK
> RTTY, which
> > would also require DATA A. (For RTTY, I have avoided this
> issue by using
> > FSK with MMTTY, and I have so far had no interest in text decoding.)
> >
> > I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3
> manual to be
> > thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.
> >
> > I am sure this audience can fill in the holes.
> >
> > Garry, NI6T
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: PSK31 on my K3

In reply to this post by Garry Shapiro

Garry,

I don't know about Ira's setup guide. However the one I did
based on Router 5 and has been available for a long time via
"help | download documents" in Router and from the microHAM
list on Yahoo was fully checked on my own microKEYER and K3.

I have recently refreshed most of the example configurations
to reflect Router 7.6.x.

> Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under Data Mode Selection,
> suggests that soundcard-based data communications can utilize
> either LSB/USB or DATA mode--in this case DATA A.

DATA A is far more convenient. I would not even consider
using USB/LSB unless the transceiver completely lacked a
DATA mode (e.g., the Kenwood boxes).

> The MK Router setup guide appeared to be incorrect for this
> approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the same
> (virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira instructed
> instead to assign a separate virtual port, which was
> necessary to place the Router in Voice mode during transmit
> to allow keying the K3.

PTT is not germane to any problems with PSK31 in MK.

First, if DX4Win is configured properly to use "PTT Control"
in PSK and CW it should use the CAT port DTR line. I do that
in all my configurations to minimize the number of virtual
ports needed and reduce the operating resources needed. It
also helps with the "keep everything in the first 8 COM
ports problem."

Second when using "Line In" on the K3, microKEYER should be
configured for audio switching "BBB" which does not change
based on PTT. In that case PTT is used only for PTT and
not audio switching.

> I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3
> manual to be thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.

Your issues are probably confined to the K3 set-up ... make
sure you select "Line In" using the "mic sel" menu while
you are in DATA A mode. There is no substitute for understanding
the OEM manual.

73,

... Joe Subich, W4TV
microHAM America
http://www.microHAM-USA.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM
[hidden email]

Note: the original copy of this response sent from microHAM
support includes a copy of the example configuration.

Unlike the meddling from W3FPR, the only issue is
probably in your configuration of the K3 Line In.
There is no reason to give up the other features of
microKEYER (including WinKey and automatic mic switching
and mic override of the soundcard in voice contesting)
simply because Don continues to trash microHAM products
used with Elecraft rigs.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Garry Shapiro
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 3:55 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: Joe Subich; Toby & Ira Stoler
> Subject: [Elecraft] PSK31 on my K3
>
>
> I have spent considerable time trying to nail down PSK31
> operation with
> my K3. I have made some Q's, but questions remain.
>
> My setup is a K3, MicroKeyer (Router 7.2.4) and DX4WIN 7.03.
> I use the
> AF4TY PSK app. included in DX4WIN. I have pestered Ira, K2RD who
> recently co-rewrote the setup guide for MicroKeyer, and he has been
> graciously helpful with my many MK issues in the past. What I
> would like
> is to reconcile what is in the K3 Owners Manual (rev. D5)
> with what is
> in the MicroKeyer (MK) setup guide, and to fully understand
> and access
> my data mode options.
>
> Page 31of the K3 Owners Manual, under /Data Mode Selection, /suggests
> that soundcard-based data communications can utilize either
> LSB/USB or
> DATA mode--in this case DATA A. (PSK D does not appear to be
> relevant to
> this discussion.) Tonight, with K2RD's help, I achieved
> transmitted PSK
> using USB mode. The MK Router setup guide appeared to be
> incorrect for
> this approach, as follows. Step 3 instructed to assign the /same
> /(virtual) port for PTT as for the Radio, but Ira instructed
> instead to
> assign a /separate /virtual port, which was necessary to place the
> Router in Voice mode during transmit to allow keying the K3. This
> appears to be OK, but it will require some on-air operation
> to verify. A
> minor annoyance is the necessity to zero out Compression, which is
> performed automatically in DATA A mode.
>
> Several days earlier, I had managed to achieve PSK output
> using TX DATA
> mode with DATA A mode--but I have been unable to duplicate
> that success!
> I believe I succeeded at that time by following the
> instruction in Step
> 3 of the MK Router setup guide to assign the /same /virtual port for
> both PTT and the Radio, but now the MK remains in Digital
> mode and there
> is no output when TX mode is initiated.
>
> I would like to use DATA A mode so as not to have to remember to zero
> the Compression and would also like the option to use AFSK
> RTTY, which
> would also require DATA A. (For RTTY, I have avoided this
> issue by using
> FSK with MMTTY, and I have so far had no interest in text decoding.)
>
> I regret that I find the Data Modes discussion in the K3 manual to be
> thin and incomplete, and therefore confusing.
>
> I am sure this audience can fill in the holes.
>
> Garry, NI6T
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Garry Shapiro

Re: PSK31 on my K3

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

I received over a dozen responses to my plea for help configuring PSK31.
Some submitters sent multiple messages; some put forward their own
(successful) approaches that do not employ the MicroHam MicroKeyer--I am
quite aware that the MK is not essential, but it is helpful in my
overall operating preference, which is heavily CW, RTTY, DXing and
contesting. Some offered mini-tutorials. Most suggested using VOX in
preference to PTT control. No one suggested using USB over DATA A. Some
reminded me to use Main: Mic Sel = Line In; I am pretty sure that
forgetting to do that was the reason why PSK31 had worked for me a few
days before, but not since. There were reminders to select Use Voice
Settings in the MK Router's Audio Switching tab. And I updated my MK
Router to ver. 7.6.1.

Thank you all for the suggestions--I was successful this evening, using
VOX, TX DATA, DATA A, Mic Sel=Line IN, and Voice Settings on the
Router's Audio Switching tab. I had a nice ragchew with a fellow in
Novato at 20W, and all now seems to work.

73,
Garry, NI6T

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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