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Signalink and K3

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

The major problem with using VOX for digital modes is that often hams
forget to turn off Windows Sounds and end up transmitting those sounds
on the air. Listen to the data mode sections of the bands and you will
hear it.
If you are using the internal soundcard, turning off Windows Sounds is
the only way to go (or do not use VOX).

If using an external soundcard, make certain that external soundcard is
*not* set as the default soundcard for the system (Windows normally sets
the most recently added soundcard to be the default) and then tell your
digital application to use the external soundcard.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/12/2014 1:09 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> A lot of people use VOX instead of PTT for digital modes. —wunder
>
>

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ve3dvy

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

The best is to key PTT via the serial port either use RTS or a
command. most good digital programs will do this for you. I use
VSPE so that I can use serveral programs at once that access the
serial port that controls the rig like MMSSTV and logger. and RTS
and DTS will pass through these just fine.

If you accidentally send one of the windows sounds or any other sound
like DX cluster alert sounds through the rig you are possibly
disrupting the other digital signals and as well for many reasons
breaking the law. so be sure they are off or not using the card
connected to the rig.

David Moes
VE3DVY

On Wednesday 12/11/2014 at 1:33 pm, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> The major problem with using VOX for digital modes is that often hams
> forget to turn off Windows Sounds and end up transmitting those sounds
> on the air. Listen to the data mode sections of the bands and you
> will
> hear it.
> If you are using the internal soundcard, turning off Windows Sounds is
> the only way to go (or do not use VOX).
>
> If using an external soundcard, make certain that external soundcard
> is
> *not* set as the default soundcard for the system (Windows normally
> sets
> the most recently added soundcard to be the default) and then tell
> your
> digital application to use the external soundcard.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 11/12/2014 1:09 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>>
>> A lot of people use VOX instead of PTT for digital modes. —wunder
>>
>>
>
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

On Wed,11/12/2014 10:06 AM, RIchard Williams via Elecraft wrote:
> All I did was connect the line out on the K3 to the mic in on the computer (using a stereo cable) and the line in on the K3 to the headphone jack on the computer.

Yes, it works. The headphone out to the K3 is good enough for all ham
uses. The mic input is NOT good enough -- as has been noted, mic inputs
tend to be very noisy, so they don't allow decoding of weaker signals.
The difference can easily be 10 dB (10x the power). THAT'S why anyone
serious about digital modes needs a dedicated USB I/O box. See the link
I posted yesterday for recommendations of specific products. Or go to
k9yc.com/publish.htm

> Only thing missing was a way to key the K3. This is easily solved by using the RS-232 port on the K3;

It's also easily solved by using VOX, which doesn't tie up a serial
port. Just pay attention to Don Wilhelm's advice.

73, Jim K9YC
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

There is also a situation with using DTR or RTS to key the rig.
When the computer boots, those port signals will be 'wiggled' active as
the OS tests the ports. It does not matter if the signals appear in a
real serial port or a USB to serial adapter - it will still happen.

If you are using DTR or RTS for either PTT or keying, you should be aware.
The 'cure' is to put the K3 in TX TEST if you have to boot the computer
with the K3 powered on, or boot the computer before powering the K3.
There is no other way to prevent this behavior that I know about.

So take your pick of the method to put the transceiver into transmit
when using digital modes, but be aware of what happens on the computer
end and take steps so it does not create a problem or a surprise (or
cause calls to Elecraft support unnecessarily).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/12/2014 1:53 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> The best is to key PTT via the serial port either use RTS or a
> command. most good digital programs will do this for you. I use
> VSPE so that I can use serveral programs at once that access the
> serial port that controls the rig like MMSSTV and logger. and RTS
> and DTS will pass through these just fine.
>
>

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ve3dvy

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Jim Im just curious

using the mic input is a problem because of noise presumably because
you have to set the levels way to low so that the line output of the
K3 doesn't swamp the mic input and by this you drastically narrow the
dynamic range. would building some sort of attenuator at the mic
input help in a pinch? I know that having a good external usb device
with line level inputs is ideal but sometimes thats not so handy when
setting up field day and you forgot the good card or need many for all
the stations and doing it on a budget?

As for freeing up the serial port I use Virtual serial port emulator
as a data splitter to one serial port for multiple applications.
Its fast enough that using RTS and DTR for ptt and keying CW and it
works fine without timing issues even when multiple programs are
watching the same port.
well at least up to about 30WPM and probably well beyond but my
brain wont go faster than that for CW

David Moes
VE3DVY

On Wednesday 12/11/2014 at 2:00 pm, Jim Brown wrote:

> On Wed,11/12/2014 10:06 AM, RIchard Williams via Elecraft wrote:
>>
>> All I did was connect the line out on the K3 to the mic in on the
>> computer (using a stereo cable) and the line in on the K3 to the
>> headphone jack on the computer.
>
> Yes, it works. The headphone out to the K3 is good enough for all ham
> uses. The mic input is NOT good enough -- as has been noted, mic
> inputs
> tend to be very noisy, so they don't allow decoding of weaker signals.
> The difference can easily be 10 dB (10x the power). THAT'S why anyone
> serious about digital modes needs a dedicated USB I/O box. See the
> link
> I posted yesterday for recommendations of specific products. Or go to
> k9yc.com/publish.htm
>
>>
>> Only thing missing was a way to key the K3. This is easily solved by
>> using the RS-232 port on the K3;
>
> It's also easily solved by using VOX, which doesn't tie up a serial
> port. Just pay attention to Don Wilhelm's advice.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

On Wed,11/12/2014 11:50 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> using the mic input is a problem because of noise presumably because
> you have to set the levels way to low so that the line output of the
> K3 doesn't swamp the mic input and by this you drastically narrow the
> dynamic range. would building some sort of attenuator at the mic
> input help in a pinch?

Unfortunately, no. One of the first things I tried. Also, most internal
sound cards have a mic preamp that can be turned off.

> I know that having a good external usb device with line level inputs
> is ideal but sometimes thats not so handy when setting up field day
> and you forgot the good card or need many for all the stations and
> doing it on a budget?

If it's Field Day, I assume you're using RTTY or trying for satellite
QSOs. The internal sound cards can be sort of OK for most RTTY signals,
but the outboard adapter will help for the weak ones. And for other
digital modes, I would REALLY want the outboard interface.

73, Jim K9YC

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Edward R Cole

Re: Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a Signal Link)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Dick,

Yep! Its that simple. I have two RS audio cables to interconnect K3
line-in and line-out to my soundcard and my Elecraft USB/RS232
adapter cable to provide keying. For my applications I have PTT-KEY:
DTR-RTS so that DTR keys PTT and RTS provides CW keying. This
probably differs by the digital sw you use.

Soundcard set up is much simpler since I use the emu-0202 which has
HI-Z line-in jacks with manual level controls to set proper receive
audio for the computer. I read the manual for the emu-0202 and set
up the soundcard. You guys do read your manuals don't you?

I use the headphone jack on the emu-0202 for connection to the K3
line-in (Tx) because it has audio level knob. That is easy as you go
into your sw and key up with a test tone* while adjusting level and
monitoring the K3 ALC meter = 4 steady bars with 5th flickering.

*This is available on WSJT which is my main sw used. For other sw
just set the K3 into TEST mode and key up with the sw to adjust level
on the K3.

I have LINE=10 on my K3 (press MIC knob to display LINE and set).

I have no issue with computer sounds because the emu-0202 is not my
main soundcard. Also easy enough to turn them off.

I avoid keying the K3 when I boot-up my computer by always turning on
the computer first and waiting for it to launch its applications.

I am mainly running WSJT10, WSPR2, MAP65v2, and FL-digi. So there
may be some "gotcha's" if you run other ham sw. I'd guess they have
set up and operating manuals?

73, Ed - KL7UW
PS: If you are not running a K3 an interface "may" be necessary.
--------------------
From: RIchard Williams via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Signalink and K3 (you do not need need a
Signal Link)

Jorge,
Interesting enough, at a recent club meeting, the presentation was on
using the SignalLink as an interface between your radio and computer
to operate Winmore using RMS Express. ? Until reading all the threads
the last couple of days, I was contemplating purchasing a SignalLink;
?however, last night I tried hooking my K3 directly to my computer.
All I did was connect the line out on the K3 to the mic in on the
computer (using a stereo cable) and the line in on the K3 to the
headphone jack on the computer. ? Only thing missing was a way to key
the K3. ? This is easily solved by using the RS-232 port on the K3;
?hook the K3 RS-232 port to your computer (since my computer does not
have a RS-232 port, I used a RS-232 to USB dongle). ?First go to the
config menu in the K3 and find "PTT -- Key"; ?set either DTS or RTS
above "PTT" to on. ? Now open RMS express; in the setup there is a
"PTT Port (optional) setup. ?Just selected the correct serial port
(found in control panel/device manager), baud rate you selected in
the K3 config menu, and use either RTS or DTS for keying (the same as
you set in the K3 config "PTT --Key" setting).
Fired everything up, set the Line out gain (I found 3 to work fine),
then go to menu and select "Line In" and set the mic gain to an
appropriate level (4 worked for me); that was it, and I was able to
establish Winmor connections on 80 and 40 meters.
Dick, ?K8ZTT

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

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Roger D Johnson

K3 Low output 30m

My K3 has always had low output on 30m (ca 90 watts). I checked the TXG
(transmit gain)
figures and 40m is 64, 30m is 103 and 20m is 30. The K3 uses the same lowpass
filter on
30 and 40m. Is it possible mine rolls off too quickly at the low end?

73, Roger N1RJ

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Roger D Johnson

Re: K3 Low output 30m

I meant to say same filter on 30 and 20m.

On 1/20/2015 3:49 PM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

> My K3 has always had low output on 30m (ca 90 watts). I checked the TXG
> (transmit gain)
> figures and 40m is 64, 30m is 103 and 20m is 30. The K3 uses the same lowpass
> filter on
> 30 and 40m. Is it possible mine rolls off too quickly at the low end?
>
> 73, Roger N1RJ
>
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wayne burdick

Re: K3 Low output 30m

Administrator

In reply to this post by Roger D Johnson

Sounds like the 30-meter band-pass filter trimmers need to be readjusted.

Wayne
N6KR

On Jan 20, 2015, at 12:49 PM, Roger D Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> My K3 has always had low output on 30m (ca 90 watts). I checked the TXG (transmit gain)
> figures and 40m is 64, 30m is 103 and 20m is 30. The K3 uses the same lowpass filter on
> 30 and 40m. Is it possible mine rolls off too quickly at the low end?
>
> 73, Roger N1RJ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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