RTTY/PSK31 and the K3

Has any of the field testers taken the K3 on RTTY using a soundcard and what-ver-software?  How does it play on RTTY and PSK31?  I am not concerned about the internal feature, but how it plays with soundcards and such

Lee


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[Ed Muns, W0YK]

> Has any of the field testers taken the K3 on RTTY using a
> soundcard and what-ver-software?  How does it play on RTTY
> and PSK31?  I am not concerned about the internal feature,
> but how it plays with soundcards and such

I have used the K3 extensively on FSK.  In NAQP RTTY, I used a K3 and a
ProIII.  The K3 was connected directly to the PC soundcard input whereas the
ProIII had an audio isolation transformer in line as well as a JPS NIR-12
audio DSP.  The K3 performed at least as well, if not better than the
ProIII.  Other field testers, e.g., N6XI, use AFSK and therefore are
connecting their K3 to the soundcard input and output will great results.

The K3 is designed for direct connection to soundcards with its LINE IN and
LINE OUT jacks on the back panel.  Each is fed from an audio isolation
transformer inside the K3.  The K3 is the best equipped radio for DATA modes
and direct connection to PC soundcards.

73,
Ed - W0YK

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[James C. Hall, MD-2]

Hi Ed:

I love RTTY contesting as well and a K3 is certainly in my future. I'm just
now dipping my toes into SO2R. One question - are you able to go the full
100 watts in contests on RTTY ? If so, do you provide further cooling - more
fans, liquid cooling blocks on the finals !? :) Or do you trickle feed an
amplifier to say, 150 watts ?

73, Jamie
WB4YDL

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ed Muns
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 11:51 AM
To: 'Lee Buller'
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] RTTY/PSK31 and the K3

> Has any of the field testers taken the K3 on RTTY using a
> soundcard and what-ver-software?  How does it play on RTTY
> and PSK31?  I am not concerned about the internal feature,
> but how it plays with soundcards and such

I have used the K3 extensively on FSK.  In NAQP RTTY, I used a K3 and a
ProIII.  The K3 was connected directly to the PC soundcard input whereas the
ProIII had an audio isolation transformer in line as well as a JPS NIR-12
audio DSP.  The K3 performed at least as well, if not better than the
ProIII.  Other field testers, e.g., N6XI, use AFSK and therefore are
connecting their K3 to the soundcard input and output will great results.

The K3 is designed for direct connection to soundcards with its LINE IN and
LINE OUT jacks on the back panel.  Each is fed from an audio isolation
transformer inside the K3.  The K3 is the best equipped radio for DATA modes
and direct connection to PC soundcards.

73,
Ed - W0YK

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[Ed Muns, W0YK]

> I love RTTY contesting as well and a K3 is certainly in my
> future. I'm just now dipping my toes into SO2R. One question
> - are you able to go the full 100 watts in contests on RTTY ?
> If so, do you provide further cooling - more fans, liquid
> cooling blocks on the finals !? :) Or do you trickle feed an
> amplifier to say, 150 watts ?

I run SO2R and my goal is to be transmitting 100% of the time on one or the
other transmitter.  That represents, at most, a 50% duty-cycle for the K3
which it can handle without the internal fans even getting up to their
higher speeds.  (BTW, those higher speeds are VERY quiet.)  We have done
tests with key down for 10 minutes on the K3 and the PA temperature is still
well below max, so I wouldn't even expect runaway in this extreme case.
Even the most severe RTTY operation won't stress the K3 to this extent.
There is no published spec yet on this, but my experience to date is that
the K3 reminds me of the old Alpha amplifier ads with the brick on the key
at maximum output for indefinite periods of time.

In sum, I'd not worry a bit about running the K3 at full power on RTTY, with
no additional fans or cooling.  Obviously, it would be prudent to have
enough clear space around the K3 to allow its internal cooling system to
work.

73,
Ed - W0YK

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