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Using external sound card for digital modes

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RB3

Using external sound card for digital modes

Good morning!

I've only had my KX3 for a month, but I've enjoyed it so far. Recently, I
have been trying to operate digital modes (RTTY and PSK31) using my SB
Audigy 2 NX external sound card and several different programs (fldigi,
KComm, HRD, and a few others). I am using the KX3USB for control and the
KX3-PCKT cables (Red, Green, and I/Q) for input/output/analyzer. Every time
I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down until I
unplug the red cable from the input.

I've tried using different selections in the programs for PTT (serial, VOX,
software), but nothing seems to work. I am aware of other options out
there, such as the RigBlaster and SignaLink USB, but I was hoping to be
able to use the equipment I already have.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

73,
Sonny
KC3DNN

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David Ahrendts

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

My friend, I had the same type of problem in bringing the KX3 up to speed for digital. The rig would begin wildly scanning when connected to an Mic sound card. My solution was to use my old Signalink sound card instead with a home brew cable. Does a very nice job. In trouble shooting the iMic (which I never got to work), someone mentioned checking the mini-plug type. Remember the KX3 microphone plug is a tip-ring-sleeve plug (TRS). Presumably a mono or stereo plug would cause unexpected things to happen.
My two cents for you.

David Ahrendts, KC0XT, LA

> On Jan 29, 2015, at 8:32 AM, RB3 <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Good morning!
>
> I've only had my KX3 for a month, but I've enjoyed it so far. Recently, I
> have been trying to operate digital modes (RTTY and PSK31) using my SB
> Audigy 2 NX external sound card and several different programs (fldigi,
> KComm, HRD, and a few others). I am using the KX3USB for control and the
> KX3-PCKT cables (Red, Green, and I/Q) for input/output/analyzer. Every time
> I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down until I
> unplug the red cable from the input.
>
> I've tried using different selections in the programs for PTT (serial, VOX,
> software), but nothing seems to work. I am aware of other options out
> there, such as the RigBlaster and SignaLink USB, but I was hoping to be
> able to use the equipment I already have.
>
> Any suggestions would be most welcome.
>
> 73,
> Sonny
> KC3DNN
>
> --
> -=(([hidden email]))=-
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

David Ahrendts [hidden email]

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

In reply to this post by RB3

The mic socket in the KX3 is a 4-conductor type.
If not wired correctly (e.g., it's *not* the
4-conductor configuration of an iPhone!) you can
key down the rig as soon as the plug is inserted.
This could be your problem, Sonny

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/29/15 8:32 AM, RB3 wrote:

> Good morning!
>
> I've only had my KX3 for a month, but I've enjoyed it so far. Recently, I
> have been trying to operate digital modes (RTTY and PSK31) using my SB
> Audigy 2 NX external sound card and several different programs (fldigi,
> KComm, HRD, and a few others). I am using the KX3USB for control and the
> KX3-PCKT cables (Red, Green, and I/Q) for input/output/analyzer. Every time
> I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down until I
> unplug the red cable from the input.
>
> I've tried using different selections in the programs for PTT (serial, VOX,
> software), but nothing seems to work. I am aware of other options out
> there, such as the RigBlaster and SignaLink USB, but I was hoping to be
> able to use the equipment I already have.
>
> Any suggestions would be most welcome.
>
> 73,
> Sonny
> KC3DNN
>

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Lyle Johnson

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

Sonny,

Try this.

Go to SSB mode, then go to the menu item "MIC BTN" and rotate VFO A
until it displays "OFF." Also set MIC BIAS to OFF.

Then go back to data mode, plug in your cables and operate.

When you want to use the microphone again, go back to SSB mode and set
up the MIC BIAS and MIC BTN for your particular microphone.

At this time, the MIC menu items can;t be changed inDATA modes, but that
may change in the future.

73,

Lyle KK7P

> The mic socket in the KX3 is a 4-conductor type. If not wired
> correctly (e.g., it's *not* the 4-conductor configuration of an
> iPhone!) you can key down the rig as soon as the plug is inserted.

>> ...Every time
>> I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down
>> until I
>> unplug the red cable from the input.

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David Ahrendts

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

In reply to this post by David Ahrendts

Also, part of the magic of using FLDigi and a SignaLink card is that the software does all of the work by design. The KX3 remains in SSB mode for PSK or RTTY, so it becomes a quick cable swap to plug in digital or plug in a microphone.

> On Jan 29, 2015, at 8:40 AM, David Ahrendts <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> My friend, I had the same type of problem in bringing the KX3 up to speed for digital. The rig would begin wildly scanning when connected to an Mic sound card. My solution was to use my old Signalink sound card instead with a home brew cable. Does a very nice job. In trouble shooting the iMic (which I never got to work), someone mentioned checking the mini-plug type. Remember the KX3 microphone plug is a tip-ring-sleeve plug (TRS). Presumably a mono or stereo plug would cause unexpected things to happen.
> My two cents for you.
>
> David Ahrendts, KC0XT, LA
>
>> On Jan 29, 2015, at 8:32 AM, RB3 <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>>
>> Good morning!
>>
>> I've only had my KX3 for a month, but I've enjoyed it so far. Recently, I
>> have been trying to operate digital modes (RTTY and PSK31) using my SB
>> Audigy 2 NX external sound card and several different programs (fldigi,
>> KComm, HRD, and a few others). I am using the KX3USB for control and the
>> KX3-PCKT cables (Red, Green, and I/Q) for input/output/analyzer. Every time
>> I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down until I
>> unplug the red cable from the input.
>>
>> I've tried using different selections in the programs for PTT (serial, VOX,
>> software), but nothing seems to work. I am aware of other options out
>> there, such as the RigBlaster and SignaLink USB, but I was hoping to be
>> able to use the equipment I already have.
>>
>> Any suggestions would be most welcome.
>>
>> 73,
>> Sonny
>> KC3DNN
>>
>> --
>> -=(([hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>))=-
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/>
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
>
>
>
> David Ahrendts [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
>
>
>

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

TRS = Toy Radio Shack, or what?

Phil W7OX

On 1/29/15 9:13 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:

> You can use a TRS plug on the KX3 if you set MIC BTN to OFF.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/
>
> On Jan 29, 2015, at 8:55 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> The mic socket in the KX3 is a 4-conductor type. If not wired correctly (e.g., it's *not* the 4-conductor configuration of an iPhone!) you can key down the rig as soon as the plug is inserted. This could be your problem, Sonny
>>
>> 73, Phil W7OX
>>
>> On 1/29/15 8:32 AM, RB3 wrote:
>>> Good morning!
>>>
>>> I've only had my KX3 for a month, but I've enjoyed it so far. Recently, I
>>> have been trying to operate digital modes (RTTY and PSK31) using my SB
>>> Audigy 2 NX external sound card and several different programs (fldigi,
>>> KComm, HRD, and a few others). I am using the KX3USB for control and the
>>> KX3-PCKT cables (Red, Green, and I/Q) for input/output/analyzer. Every time
>>> I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down until I
>>> unplug the red cable from the input.
>>>
>>> I've tried using different selections in the programs for PTT (serial, VOX,
>>> software), but nothing seems to work. I am aware of other options out
>>> there, such as the RigBlaster and SignaLink USB, but I was hoping to be
>>> able to use the equipment I already have.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions would be most welcome.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Sonny
>>> KC3DNN

Phil Hystad-3

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

TRS -- Tip, Ring, Sleeve

> On Jan 29, 2015, at 9:21 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> TRS = Toy Radio Shack, or what?
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 1/29/15 9:13 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> You can use a TRS plug on the KX3 if you set MIC BTN to OFF.
>>
>> wunder
>> K6WRU
>> CM87wj
>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/
>>
>> On Jan 29, 2015, at 8:55 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> The mic socket in the KX3 is a 4-conductor type. If not wired correctly (e.g., it's *not* the 4-conductor configuration of an iPhone!) you can key down the rig as soon as the plug is inserted. This could be your problem, Sonny
>>>
>>> 73, Phil W7OX
>>>
>>> On 1/29/15 8:32 AM, RB3 wrote:
>>>> Good morning!
>>>>
>>>> I've only had my KX3 for a month, but I've enjoyed it so far. Recently, I
>>>> have been trying to operate digital modes (RTTY and PSK31) using my SB
>>>> Audigy 2 NX external sound card and several different programs (fldigi,
>>>> KComm, HRD, and a few others). I am using the KX3USB for control and the
>>>> KX3-PCKT cables (Red, Green, and I/Q) for input/output/analyzer. Every time
>>>> I connect the MIC input to the sound card output, the rig keys down until I
>>>> unplug the red cable from the input.
>>>>
>>>> I've tried using different selections in the programs for PTT (serial, VOX,
>>>> software), but nothing seems to work. I am aware of other options out
>>>> there, such as the RigBlaster and SignaLink USB, but I was hoping to be
>>>> able to use the equipment I already have.
>>>>
>>>> Any suggestions would be most welcome.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Sonny
>>>> KC3DNN
>
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Tighe Kuykendall

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

In reply to this post by RB3

Maybe your MIC BTN setting, page 35 in the manual?

I was struggling a little with digital modes on my KX3. After trying
several things, I picked up a USB Traveller from G3LIV
(http://www.g3liv.co.uk/). Has keyed PTT via USB, isolation
transformers, and controls for RX/TX levels. It's small and packs well
for portable use and is USB powered. I've used it with the built-in
sound on my MacBookPro as well as a TASCAM US-2x2. For me, it was money
well spent. Customer service from Johnny is awesome as well.

Tighe
NK4I

On 1/29/15 11:32 AM, RB3 wrote:

Jim Brown-10

Re: Using external sound card for digital modes

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

On Thu,1/29/2015 9:21 AM, Phil Wheeler wrote:
> TRS = Toy Radio Shack, or what?

Tip-Ring-Sleeve -- a common "stereo" plug. But as has been noted, the
KX3 uses a TRRS plug.

Another point. The SignaLink is NOT a very good sound card. Several
years ago, I evaluated several good, inexpensive USB sound cards. I
wrote up my work here. http://k9yc.com/USB_Interfaces.pdf

73, Jim K9YC
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