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RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

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CRAIG W BEHRENS

RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

I'm looking at different approaches for a compact interface unit to use with my KX3 and MicroSoft Surface Pro Tablet PC.
The KX3 has some neat built in features for light field use, but I need to be set-up for serious DXpedition use with the digital (and other) modes.
Anyone have any experience in this area that could help me pull such a system (or similar approach) together?

72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

Craig,

The easy way is to obtain the KX3-PCKT cable set from Elecraft. That
will allow connection between the KX3 and a soundcard. For computer
control and frequency readout from the digital application, you can use
the KX3USB cable that was supplied with your KX3.
Yes, the Elecraft cable set has a cable for the RX I/Q and the ACC2
cable that are excess for your purposes, but the audio cables have right
angle plugs on the K3 end which keeps the cables out of the way. You
could just use a couple of regular audio cables with 3.5mm stereo plugs
instead.

If you find excessive noise on the audio between the soundcard and KX3,
you might have to add isolation transformers - that would be your
"interface unit". You can obtain suitable transformers from Radio Shack
and many other places. I have used the transformers salvaged from old
computer modem cards with success (see my website www.w3fpr.com).

I don't know the provisions you have on that computer for soundcard and
USB, but you will need line level input and output on the left channel
(tip) as a minimum. The right channel is not used for digital modes.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/17/2013 9:40 AM, CRAIG W BEHRENS wrote:
> I'm looking at different approaches for a compact interface unit to use with my KX3 and MicroSoft Surface Pro Tablet PC.
> The KX3 has some neat built in features for light field use, but I need to be set-up for serious DXpedition use with the digital (and other) modes.
> Anyone have any experience in this area that could help me pull such a system (or similar approach) together?
>
>

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CRAIG W BEHRENS

Re: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

Thanks for the feedback and advice, Don.
I have the Elecraft cables and figured that it would be worth buying an external interface unit that has a built-in sound card capability that I know will work, vs. take a chance with the MS Surface Pro computer. (The unit is reasonably compact and light.)
The optical isolation circuits in the interface unit may be even more important at the St. Lucia sites, especially considering the various power sources that will be used. (I too am a believer re. having isolation circuits.)
Also, the Surface only has 1 USB3 port on it and it would be good to not have to use an external port expander unit to accommodate more cables, etc.
So far--it sounds as if I can get there OK with this path.
Thanks again.

72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T

> Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:17:50 -0400
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> CC: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?
>
> Craig,
>
> The easy way is to obtain the KX3-PCKT cable set from Elecraft. That
> will allow connection between the KX3 and a soundcard. For computer
> control and frequency readout from the digital application, you can use
> the KX3USB cable that was supplied with your KX3.
> Yes, the Elecraft cable set has a cable for the RX I/Q and the ACC2
> cable that are excess for your purposes, but the audio cables have right
> angle plugs on the K3 end which keeps the cables out of the way. You
> could just use a couple of regular audio cables with 3.5mm stereo plugs
> instead.
>
> If you find excessive noise on the audio between the soundcard and KX3,
> you might have to add isolation transformers - that would be your
> "interface unit". You can obtain suitable transformers from Radio Shack
> and many other places. I have used the transformers salvaged from old
> computer modem cards with success (see my website www.w3fpr.com).
>
> I don't know the provisions you have on that computer for soundcard and
> USB, but you will need line level input and output on the left channel
> (tip) as a minimum. The right channel is not used for digital modes.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 9/17/2013 9:40 AM, CRAIG W BEHRENS wrote:
> > I'm looking at different approaches for a compact interface unit to use with my KX3 and MicroSoft Surface Pro Tablet PC.
> > The KX3 has some neat built in features for light field use, but I need to be set-up for serious DXpedition use with the digital (and other) modes.
> > Anyone have any experience in this area that could help me pull such a system (or similar approach) together?
> >
> >
>

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

Craig,

Since you have decided to include the external interface, AND you only
have one USB port, look at the serial port on your chosen interface -
you may need the KX3SER cable instead of the KX3USB cable. The
interfaces I know about all have serial ports to connect to the rig and
not USB ports.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/17/2013 10:53 AM, CRAIG W BEHRENS wrote:

> Thanks for the feedback and advice, Don.
>
> I have the Elecraft cables and figured that it would be worth buying
> an external interface unit that has a built-in sound card capability
> that I know will work, vs. take a chance with the MS Surface Pro
> computer. (The unit is reasonably compact and light.)
>
> The optical isolation circuits in the interface unit may be even more
> important at the St. Lucia sites, especially considering the various
> power sources that will be used. (I too am a believer re. having
> isolation circuits.)
>
> Also, the Surface only has 1 USB3 port on it and it would be good to
> not have to use an external port expander unit to accommodate more
> cables, etc.
>
> So far--it sounds as if I can get there OK with this path.
>

CRAIG W BEHRENS

Re: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

I really needed to know that -- thanks again, Don!

72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T

Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:02:57 -0400
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
CC: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

Craig,

Since you have decided to include the external interface, AND you
only have one USB port, look at the serial port on your chosen
interface - you may need the KX3SER cable instead of the KX3USB
cable. The interfaces I know about all have serial ports to connect
to the rig and not USB ports.

73,

Don W3FPR

On 9/17/2013 10:53 AM, CRAIG W BEHRENS
wrote:

Thanks for the feedback and advice, Don.

I have the Elecraft cables and figured that it would be
worth buying an external interface unit that has a built-in
sound card capability that I know will work, vs. take a chance
with the MS Surface Pro computer. (The unit is reasonably
compact and light.)

The optical isolation circuits in the interface unit may be
even more important at the St. Lucia sites, especially
considering the various power sources that will be used. (I
too am a believer re. having isolation circuits.)

Also, the Surface only has 1 USB3 port on it and it would
be good to not have to use an external port expander unit to
accommodate more cables, etc.

So far--it sounds as if I can get there OK with this path.

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LA8OKA

Vedr: RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

In reply to this post by CRAIG W BEHRENS

I use the MicroHam USB Interface III With my KX3.
http://www.microham.com/contents/en-us/d158_U3.html
I had to build the interface cable my self, a pretty easy job all hams should be able to do.
Drawing of the cable here:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gDPTphLWxyg/UFyZpnZ7pMI/AAAAAAAAErA/X9TueMFXJO0/s1600-h/DB15-EL-KX3_Cable%25255B13%25255D.jpg
If that link does not work, go in here and click on the drawing:
http://arcticpeak.blogspot.no/2012/09/interfacekabler-for-elecraft-kx3-og.html

Martin Storli
LA8OKA
Oslo, Norway

ARCTICPEAK's Radio pages!
http://www.arcticpeak.com/radio.htm

________________________________
Fra: CRAIG W BEHRENS <[hidden email]>
Til: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>; Elecraft List For-eMails <[hidden email]>
Sendt: Tirsdag, 17. september 2013 15.40
Emne: [Elecraft] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

I'm looking at different approaches for a compact interface unit to use with my KX3 and MicroSoft Surface Pro Tablet PC.
The KX3 has some neat built in features for light field use, but I need to be set-up for serious DXpedition use with the digital (and other) modes.
Anyone have any experience in this area that could help me pull such a system (or similar approach) together?

72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T
______________________________________________________________
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CRAIG W BEHRENS

Re: RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

In reply to this post by CRAIG W BEHRENS

Thanks, everyone for the fine support!
I believe that you have helped a lot of people (besides just me) find paths for getting the digital modes up and running well.
I'm going to use the information and ideas you have provided to get my KX3/digital mode system optimized and ready for the St. Lucia trip in December.
Thanks again -- ya'll are awesome!
72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T

Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:33:40 -0700
From: [hidden email]
Subject: RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?
To: [hidden email]

For a different approach, this maybe something to consider... http://www.4sqrp.com/4s-link.php
There was a note in the reflector about a modification need for the KX3. Quoted and copied below.
Either a special cable or reworking pcb traces would be necessary.
Good luck,
Rich K8MEG

"Just
discovered why I couldn't get the 4SLink to work with the KX3. The
Mic/PTT jack on the 4SLink is backwards from the way the KX3 works. On
the 4SLink, the microphone audio is on the "ring" and it needs to be on
the "tip" of the connector going to the KX3.

I
was trying to use a standard audio extension cable between the 4SLink
and the KX3 which put PTT on the Microphone Audio in and the audio on
the PTT (ring) of the KX3.

From: CRAIG W BEHRENS <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>; Elecraft List For-eMails <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 9:40 AM
Subject: [QRP-L] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes with KX3?

I'm looking at different approaches for a compact interface unit to use with my KX3 and MicroSoft Surface Pro
Tablet PC.
The KX3 has some neat built in features for light field use, but I need to be set-up for serious DXpedition use with the digital (and other) modes.
Anyone have any experience in this area that could help me pull such a system (or similar approach) together?

72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T
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