Posted by
David Gilbert on
Nov 07, 2011; 8:13pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/KX3-I-Q-SDR-questions-tp6960402p6971933.html
"I have to ask what type of soundcard and computer you are using to accomplish this?
Also, would you include the total value of your package if I were to purchase the same?"
That's kind of like figuring in the cost of your shack, tower, or antennas. If you already have a decent computer and sound card, the relevant answer would be zero additional cost since there is some very competent free SDR software out there and the KX3 isn't going to require anything else except an inexpensive cable. I'm not sure any of that will be any more difficult to install than doing P3 and K3 firmware updates. Worst case, if I didn't already have them, I might factor in the cost of a high end sound card, a video card with outputs for two monitors, and a second monitor.
But just for the sake of argument, a dedicated computer with great software flexibility can be purchased new (or factory refurbished) for less than $300; a low noise, high dynamic range sound card capable of 192 KHz band coverage for maybe $120 (see N8LP's list of suggested models); and a dedicated monitor with much larger size and resolution than the P3 for around $100.
To each his own, but I think KT0NY is totally correct and I think Elecraft has done an admirable thing by including I/Q outputs in the KX3. If the KX3 turns out to be significantly less susceptible to mushing of multiple low level in-band signals than the K3, the combination of that and the I/Q outputs might even be enough to make me sell my K3 and buy a KX3.
Dave AB7E
On 11/7/2011 12:34 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
> I have included Tony's comments below. I agree with paragraph one.
>
> However, in paragraph two I take issue. I am considering the ease and convenience
> of using a P3. Plus the bandwidth is wider. It is plug and play. No computer
> issues of hardware, software, and soundcards.
>
> I have used PSDR-IF. I would like to be able to run PSDR-IF, but I am not alone
> in experiencing mirrored images. Yes, my I& Q signals are balanced. Yet WinRad and
> HDSDR works with no images.
>
> I have to ask what type of soundcard and computer you are using to accomplish this?
> Also, would you include the total value of your package if I were to purchase the same?
>
> Thank you,
> Richard Fjeld, n0ce
> ______________________________________________________
>
> I would add to Richard's comment that the KX3 design appears to me to be an
> ideal implementation of SDR for amateur purposes. I have played around
> quite a bit with SDRs. I've owned 2 Flex radios and have 2 Softrocks, and
> that experience has convinced me that the actual signal detection, DSP
> filtering and processing, etc. should all be done inside the radio, not by
> a general-purpose PC. Today's SDRs are an interesting proof of concept, but
> as operating ham rigs they have insuperable flaws that result mainly from
> trying to get a PC to do tasks that would be much better done by a
> special-purpose computing system with a suitable OS and tailored data paths.
>
> The computerized panadapter is quite neat and I have found it to be even
> more useful than the very useful P3 (I use PSDR-IF, but there are many
> more; see the LP-Pan home page and/or many other SDR pages for samples).
> However, to use it with an analog radio like the K3, you need extra
> gadgetry and complexity in the shack. I'm really looking forward to getting
> my hands on a KX3. Perhaps after it hits the market, ham rigs will start to
> provide I-Q output as standard equipment. That would be a step forward for
> ham radio, and another chapter in Elecraft's history of innovations in the
> industry.
>
> 73,
> Tony KT0NY
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