Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 113, Issue 26

[af9w]

I use a Tigertronics Signalink for all of my digital work.  It is reasonably priced and can be ordered with a cable set for the KX3.  It also is easily adaptable to almost any rig using jumpers and the proper cable.   I use it to interface to fldigi, WINMOR, AGPWE packet engine, etc.   It has PTT built in so you don't need to create any devices for that.  It connects via the KX3 phones output and mic input.  It has a mono jack for monitoring input and output.   The only thing you have to remember to do when you hook it up is to make sure you have the computer output volume for that device set to full on and control the input and output levels on the Signalink.  


73 de AF9W
Bob Stephens




On Sep 17, 2013, at 9:00 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:40:16 -0500
> From: CRAIG W BEHRENS <[hidden email]>
> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>, Elecraft List
> For-eMails <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes
> with KX3?
> Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> 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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[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

I think "serious DXpedition use with digital ... modes" and the KX3
are a bit of an oxymoron.  The KX3 lacks dedicated a fixed level audio
output (independent of the operator monitor [headphone] level and any
receive equalization) and a dedicated line level audio input with input
level independent of the SSB mic gain, clipping/compression controls
and transmit equalization.

Both of those features are a must for serious digital operation.
The independent, fixed level receive output means there are significant
"level conflicts" between operator needs and the needs of the digital
software.  It also represents a real potential for hearing damage if
the digital software requires a high audio level and headphones are
plugged in with the level too high.

The lack of an input that bypasses audio processing and TX EQ also
creates the possibility of signal distortion and/or excess IMD
generation in the audio stages *prior to modulation.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

> On Sep 17, 2013, at 9:00 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:40:16 -0500
>> From: CRAIG W BEHRENS <[hidden email]>
>> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>, Elecraft List
>> For-eMails <[hidden email]>
>> Subject: [Elecraft] RIGblaster Advantage for Serious Digital Modes
>> with KX3?
>> Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> 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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> Elecraft mailing list
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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[alsopb]

Joe,

There easy work around to this-- like adding a series resistor between
AF output and earphones.  Some earphones have built in volume controls.

I use the non-fixed output of the K3 all the time for RTTY receive.
Having some control over the audio into the decoder is sometimes an
advantage.

Would you refuse to work a DXpedition that used such a digital setup?

73 de Brian/K3KO

On 9/17/2013 19:24, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> Both of those features are a must for serious digital operation.
> The independent, fixed level receive output means there are significant
> "level conflicts" between operator needs and the needs of the digital
> software.  It also represents a real potential for hearing damage if
> the digital software requires a high audio level and headphones are
> plugged in with the level too high.
>
> > 73,
>
>     ... Joe, W4TV

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2242 / Virus Database: 3222/6174 - Release Date: 09/17/13

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[Jeff Herr]

you said " The KX3 lacks dedicated a fixed level audio output (independent
of the operator monitor [headphone] level and any receive equalization) ..."

what is the rx i/q output?

 

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[Nicklas Johnson]

I find that putting my KX3 into "DATA" mode to bypass all the EQ, setting
the volume to "30", and setting both the in and out gain of my sound card
to "8" works perfectly well.

Yes, the volume on the KX3 isn't "fixed", so I "fix" it manually by knowing
what number I want to set it on (30) which gives it about the same gain
that my little headset adapter soundcard ($10 on Amazon) gets from my
Icom's fixed output.

Enabling DATA disables EQ and compression. It works great.

No complaints, and I make perfectly reasonable data mode contacts
consistently with it.  I did find that I needed to build a ground-loop
isolator for the KX3 to play nice with the computer, evidently because
either the Rigblaster I use with the Icom, or the Icom itself already has a
1:1 isolation transformer, whereas the KX3 apparently does not.

    Nick



On 17 September 2013 12:46, Brian Alsop <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Joe,
>
> There easy work around to this-- like adding a series resistor between AF
> output and earphones.  Some earphones have built in volume controls.
>
> I use the non-fixed output of the K3 all the time for RTTY receive. Having
> some control over the audio into the decoder is sometimes an advantage.
>
> Would you refuse to work a DXpedition that used such a digital setup?
>
> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>
>
> On 9/17/2013 19:24, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
>  Both of those features are a must for serious digital operation.
>> The independent, fixed level receive output means there are significant
>> "level conflicts" between operator needs and the needs of the digital
>> software.  It also represents a real potential for hearing damage if
>> the digital software requires a high audio level and headphones are
>> plugged in with the level too high.
>>
>> > 73,
>>
>>     ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.2242 / Virus Database: 3222/6174 - Release Date: 09/17/13
>
>
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--
*N6OL*
Saying something doesn't make it true.  Belief in something doesn't make it
real. And if you have to lie to support a position, that position is not
worth supporting.
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