VK2RH ham radio

Category: K3

  • K3 and digital modes

    Using WSJT-X as my example digital program, here are the steps to getting digital modes to work with the K3 using an external sound card, the ASUS U7.

    The process is almost identical to the one I use with the KX3, an external soundcard dongle and a MacBook Pro.

    First, it is simple and easy to adjust and repeatable.

    Connections:

    Line in on the K3 rear panel is connected to the Headphones socket on the front of the Asus U7 (using red patch cord with ‘Line in’ label).

    Line out on the K3 rear panel is connected to the Microphone socket on the front of the Asus U7 (using black patch cord with ‘Line out’ label).

    RS232 on rear of K3 is connected via USB adaptor to unused USB connector on the PC.

    USB socket on rear of Asus U7 is connected to another USB connector on PC. (this also provides power for the Asus U7).

    software:

    Asus (Xonar U7 Audio Center) to confirm selection of Headphones and Line-In, and to adjust levels

    WSJT-X File > Settings or F2 >

    General tab: Enter your callsign and grid square

    Radio tab: Select Elecraft K3/KX3 in Rig drop-down list

    Set serial port to same COM Port number revealed when you are using

    Elecraft K3 Utility (But both programs cannot be run at same time)

    Set baud rate to 38400

    Data bits 8     Stop bits One    Handshake  None

    PTT  – select CAT     Port should be USB

    Transmit Audio Source is Rear/Data

    Mode is Data/Pkt

    Split Operation is set to Rig

    Use Test CAT and Test PTT button to confirm correct connections. CAT will turn Green and PTT Red after clicking, indicating all is well.

    Audio tab:

    Under Soundcard select the appropriate option from the drop down lists:

    Input – ‘Line (2-Xonar U7)’

    Output – ‘Headphones (2-Xonar U7)’

    Under the Reporting tab you can enable or disable uploading of spots to PSK Reporter and linkages to other programs include logging software.

    Under the Frequencies tab – if you find there are no frequencies listed for the different modes, position cursor in the Working Frequencies window and right click and select ‘Reset’. This should populate the window with all the frequencies.

    Use the PC’s regular audio device controls or the soundcard’s controls to adjust input and output levels. For example WSJT-X likes to have the green input bar graph on the lower left of the application window indicating about 30dB. Adjust the Headphones level to achieve this. I operate routinely with it hovering between 30 and 60dB.

    The K3 is particular about the level of ALC on its transmit signal. You can use the microphone level to easily achieve the Elecraft ideal of 4 solid bars with the fifth bar flickering. This ensures a clean splatter-free signal.

    Other aspects you need to consider with applications such as WSJT-X include installing an application to keep the PC clock accurate, as well as eventually checking frequency alignment.

  • Handy K3 resource

    Via the Elecraft email list a pointer to a comprehensive looking listing of settings for the K3 compiled by K8DD. There’s also a document detailing calibration procedures for the K3.

  • Digging out useful info on gear

    Spent a bit of time visiting WW2PT’s site and reading the thread of messages tagged with ‘K3’. It’s great when you discover someone who has followed a similar path to the one you’re on and can write about with a combo of wisdom and wit.

    A key post is this one ‘Concerning computers’ about getting his K3 to talk with his MacBook Pro.

    This has to be the great difference to doing ham radio now compared to when I first got the bug back in the 1960s and 70s. The sheer volume of experience and overwhelmingly good will that’s materialised on the net has created an always available knowledge bank that’s transformed the most enjoyable part of hamming for me at least – troubleshooting. Sure there’s nonsense out there but it’s not too hard to discern. And then there’s the user communities!

    Elecraft’s trail-friendly KX1

    I bought the KX1 and K3 partly due to the solid community of users on the main reflector, lead in the best way by gurus like Don W3FPR who are so generous with their experience and don’t hesitate to share it, as well as the active involvement of Elecraft principals, Eric WA6HHQ & Wayne N6KR and others. Other purchases are informed as much as possible by getting a taste of the user community – aside for the occasional eBay impulse of course. Buddipole’s BUG has a similar shared spirit. It’s probably no accident that both lists are well moderated.

    As an example of what I’m talking about here’s an excerpt from Don’s reply to a recent query about whether or not to build the 80/30m option kit as part of the initial build of the KX1 or to do it later:

    “…there are pieces of the KXB3080 that can be installed during the initial build so you do not have to remove any more than 2 toroids. At one time, I created a “cheat-sheet” telling a couple of builders how to do it – I can try to find that email if you would like to try. I would only recommend doing that to an expert and confident builder. OTOH, an expert and confident builder would have no problem removing components from the PC board without damaging the board or burning the relay cases either.
    The KXB3080 is difficult to install because of the small space available in the KX1, and the instructions must be followed exactly, particularly the LPF board – if not done exactly like the instructions, it will interfere with the tuner.”

    Maybe this impresses me so much because I never was lucky enough to have an Elmer when I started out!