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USB Soundcard

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a45wg-2

USB Soundcard

Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound card I can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with Mic-In and not a Stereo Line-In.

I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.

I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built KX3 - using some software tools.

Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.

Many thanks

Tim, A45wg. Muscat
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: USB Soundcard

Tim,
I have no complaints about the ASUS Xonar U5, which I use with Fldigi, MMTTY, etc. I don't have enough personal experience with alternatives to be able to compare its performance, but you'll find technical comparisons of the U5 with other sound cards from an amateur radio perspective in several places by searching the web, and the U5 tends to be highly recommended, as is the slightly more expensive U7. Reading http://www.telepostinc.com/soundcards.html and http://audiosystemsgroup.com/USB_Interfaces.pdf led me to buy the U5.
73, Ryan AI6DO

From: a45wg <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 7:20 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] USB Soundcard

Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound card I can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with Mic-In and not a Stereo Line-In.

I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.

I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built KX3 - using some software tools.

Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.

Many thanks

Tim, A45wg. Muscat
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by a45wg-2

The SignaLink USB is one I find to be a good choice. It uses the USB
port on the computer. There's others, more or less expensive. Like
candy, it seems everyone has their preference in flavor.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 1/18/2016 9:20 PM, a45wg wrote:

> Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound card I can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with Mic-In and not a Stereo Line-In.
>
> I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.
>
> I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built KX3 - using some software tools.
>
> Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Tim, A45wg. Muscat
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: USB Soundcard

Works well for me, too, Bob.

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/18/16 20:02 , Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:

> The SignaLink USB is one I find to be a good choice. It uses the USB
> port on the computer. There's others, more or less expensive. Like
> candy, it seems everyone has their preference in flavor.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 1/18/2016 9:20 PM, a45wg wrote:
>> Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound card
>> I can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with Mic-In
>> and not a Stereo Line-In.
>>
>> I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.
>>
>> I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built
>> KX3 - using some software tools.
>>
>> Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.
>>
>> Many thanks
>>
>> Tim, A45wg. Muscat
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Barry K3NDM

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by a45wg-2

Muscat,
I use the Steinberg UR22, but I have used other cards. A number of
my local friends are using Asus cards. They work well. The site that has
the NaP3 /LPBridge software has a list of recommendations. They seem
right. Just make sure you get a 24 bit card that samples at 96KHz or
more; I use 192KHZ. This will allow you to do spectrum display quite
well and other software like CW Skimmer off the very same I&Q data
stream.

A card useful for spectrum is massive overkill for running the
digital modes. A simple 16 bit or better card running 44 KHz will work,
like the card in your computer. I use the SignaLink USB. I can do this
simultaneously while reading out the spectrum. That means you can have a
fair degree of flexibility.

If you really want to go crazy, get a copy of Win4K3. Your KX3 than
becomes the engine for a fully integrated operation. The down side is
you will end up needing either 2-3 monitors or one very big one.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "a45wg" <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 1/18/2016 10:20:29 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] USB Soundcard

>Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound card I
>can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with Mic-In and
>not a Stereo Line-In.
>
>I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.
>
>I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built KX3
>- using some software tools.
>
>Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.
>
>Many thanks
>
>Tim, A45wg. Muscat
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

Jim Brown-10

Re: USB Soundcard

On Mon,1/18/2016 8:35 PM, Barry LaZar wrote:
> A card useful for spectrum is massive overkill for running the digital
> modes.

Not if it's half the cost of the lower bandwidth units!

On Mon,1/18/2016 8:06 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> There are some pretty convincing measurements that show that the SignaLink USB is not as good as it should be.

Yes.

> For this application, the SignaLink is useless, because for I/Q output from the KX3, he’ll need stereo in. The SignaLink is mono.

Yes.

The SignaLink is a pretty old design. In the digital world, 10 years is
forever! And it's VERY overpriced for what it is. It's popular ONLY
because of lots of advertising hype from the vendors reselling it.

73, Jim K9YC
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: USB Soundcard

A significant plus is that the vendor (Tigertronics?) offers cables for
a variety of popular rigs and rather good info on getting it set up,
working with computer USB ports. That can be a plus for the
technically-challenged who want to operate non-demanding digital modes
like PSK31, Joe.

While I'm not all that challenged with degrees in EE, Signalink USB was
my choice for that reason: It is convenient and works "well enough" :-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/18/16 21:54 , Jim Brown wrote:
>
>
> The SignaLink is a pretty old design. In the digital world, 10 years
> is forever! And it's VERY overpriced for what it is. It's popular
> ONLY because of lots of advertising hype from the vendors reselling it.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>

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Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by a45wg-2

Tim,

About the line-in / mic in a simple laptop:

Before going through the process of buying a super usb external
soundcard, check the windows configuration - sound of your laptop and
look at recording devices.
You'll probably find the mic. Then check the properties of that
connection. In the advanced settings you MAY find that the mic can be
configured as stereo with 96k or 192k sampling.

My 2010 Samsung cheap N210 netbook can run stereo 96k and give a nice
panafall with NAP3! It ties up the processor :-) but I can still log my
QSO's at the same time.
My doughter's 6 year old medium priced Toshiba laptop does 192k, without
any problem.

So don't let the word 'mic' or the little mic-picture on the side trick
you. Check it first in the software settings.
My two cents worth.

73
Arie PA3A

Op 19-1-2016 om 4:20 schreef a45wg:

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by a45wg-2

Tim,

Because you want to use the KX3 RX I/Q outputs to produce a spectrum
display, you must have a soundcard with a stereo input.
That rules out the SignaLink which has only a mono input.
The Asus U5 or U7 will do the job for you quite nicely, and costs less
than the SignaLink.
You can use the Asus for both digital modes and a spectral display.
Look at NaP3 or Win4K3 software applications.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/18/2016 10:20 PM, a45wg wrote:

Barry K3NDM

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Jim,
The Asus cards are about $60-$70 and my Steinberg was $120. It makes
no sense to spend that amount of money for a card for an application
that will work just fine with your computer's built in card. However,
you will need some additional "stuff", like isolation and a PTT method
if you don't use vox. That is why I recommend that something like a
SignLink USB, or equal, be used. To go some other way, the bottom line
costs will run you more than than either card to do it right. And, yes
there are really cheap cards out there for $20, but they just won't
perform for spectrum viewing.

I suggest looking at this for picking a card to view the spectrum:
http://www.telepostinc.com/soundcards.html and a SignaLink USB for its
simplicity to make work for running digital modes.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Jim Brown" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 1/19/2016 12:54:59 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] USB Soundcard

>On Mon,1/18/2016 8:35 PM, Barry LaZar wrote:
>>A card useful for spectrum is massive overkill for running the digital
>>modes.
>
>Not if it's half the cost of the lower bandwidth units!
>
>
>On Mon,1/18/2016 8:06 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>>There are some pretty convincing measurements that show that the
>>SignaLink USB is not as good as it should be.
>
>Yes.
>
>>For this application, the SignaLink is useless, because for I/Q output
>>from the KX3, he’ll need stereo in. The SignaLink is mono.
>
>Yes.
>
>The SignaLink is a pretty old design. In the digital world, 10 years is
>forever! And it's VERY overpriced for what it is. It's popular ONLY
>because of lots of advertising hype from the vendors reselling it.
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

Barry K3NDM

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Don,
I agree. The SignaLink is geared strictly for using the radio's
audio in/out for doing digital modes. But, I do suggest Win4K3. After
having used both for a while, I concluded that Win4K3 is more a match
for the KX3.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "a45wg" <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: 1/19/2016 7:43:25 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] USB Soundcard

>Tim,
>
>Because you want to use the KX3 RX I/Q outputs to produce a spectrum
>display, you must have a soundcard with a stereo input.
>That rules out the SignaLink which has only a mono input.
>The Asus U5 or U7 will do the job for you quite nicely, and costs less
>than the SignaLink.
>You can use the Asus for both digital modes and a spectral display.
>Look at NaP3 or Win4K3 software applications.
>
>73,
>Don W3FPR
>
>On 1/18/2016 10:20 PM, a45wg wrote:
>>Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound card
>>I can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with Mic-In
>>and not a Stereo Line-In.
>>
>>I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.
>>
>>I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built
>>KX3 - using some software tools.
>>
>>Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.
>>
>>Many thanks
>>
>>Tim, A45wg. Muscat
>>______________________________________________________________
>>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
>>Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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
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Jim Brown-10

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

Hi Barry,

Yes, built-in sound cards "work," but my extensive testing showed that a
good outboard USB sound card works FAR better than the sound built into
my Thinkpad laptops. The difference is the ability to decode much weaker
signals. That testing is documented in the link I posted yesterday.

73, Jim K9YC

On Tue,1/19/2016 9:09 AM, Barry LaZar wrote:
> The Asus cards are about $60-$70 and my Steinberg was $120. It makes
> no sense to spend that amount of money for a card for an application
> that will work just fine with your computer's built in card. However,
> you will need some additional "stuff", like isolation and a PTT method
> if you don't use vox. That is why I recommend that something like a
> SignLink USB, or equal, be used. To go some other way, the bottom line
> costs will run you more than than either card to do it right. And, yes
> there are really cheap cards out there for $20, but they just won't
> perform for spectrum viewing.

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

Huh re "The SignaLink is geared strictly for using the radio's audio
in/out for doing digital modes."? Not in the current Signalink USB. And
a good thing. The 11" MacBook Air I use for such things has mic and
earphones on a 4-conductor jack so I prefer not messing with the
internal audio vs. that in the Signalink USB for PSK31. As Don says, not
good if you need to deal with KX3 I/Q outputs, but I use a PX3 for that :-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/19/16 09:16 , Barry LaZar wrote:

> Don,
> I agree. The SignaLink is geared strictly for using the radio's
> audio in/out for doing digital modes. But, I do suggest Win4K3. After
> having used both for a while, I concluded that Win4K3 is more a match
> for the KX3.
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
> To: "a45wg" <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]"
> <[hidden email]>
> Sent: 1/19/2016 7:43:25 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] USB Soundcard
>
>> Tim,
>>
>> Because you want to use the KX3 RX I/Q outputs to produce a spectrum
>> display, you must have a soundcard with a stereo input.
>> That rules out the SignaLink which has only a mono input.
>> The Asus U5 or U7 will do the job for you quite nicely, and costs
>> less than the SignaLink.
>> You can use the Asus for both digital modes and a spectral display.
>> Look at NaP3 or Win4K3 software applications.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 1/18/2016 10:20 PM, a45wg wrote:
>>> Please could anyone shed some light as to what type of USB Sound
>>> card I can use as my entire range of Laptops - are only fitted with
>>> Mic-In and not a Stereo Line-In.
>>>
>>> I have managed to procure a stereo 2.5 to 3.5mm male-male audio lead.
>>>
>>> I am hoping to be able to see the I/Q output from my recently built
>>> KX3 - using some software tools.
>>>
>>> Looking forward to hearing what works/does not work well.
>>>
>>> Many thanks
>>>
>>> Tim, A45wg. Muscat

Neil Zampella

Re: USB Soundcard

In reply to this post by a45wg-2

I'm currently using a Creative Labs Sound Blaster SB1095 with my laptop
and the KX3. I bought the KX3-PCKT cable set when I bought the kit,
made it much easier not having to worry if the cables would work or not,
for $19.95 it was a no brainer.

The SB1095 works well with WSJT-X for JT modes, as well as for other
digital modes. Its only $55.48 at Amazon,
http://preview.tinyurl.com/jbmva3l .

Neil Z
KN3ILZ

On 1/18/2016 10:20 PM, a45wg wrote: