First let's explain what Wayne meant: If you use a secondary sound card/device, you won't accidentally transmit an operating system sound (many of which are musical). You also won't have to constantly twiddle with levels as you switch from OS to the radio. And it allows you to have the computer alert you to DX or whatever you have it set to do, without transmitting that sound, while you're operating in a digital more (the computer is quite capable of having two or more sound cards at the same time).
I use a SignaLink (Tigertronics). But there are far cheaper and expensive options, including one I recently saw at another shack that cost a whopping $5.78 after tax and shipping. It failed from structural weakness (SMD connector broke from the board, overstressed) but it did work before that. So between $5 and whatever the fanciest device costs is what you'll pay. They all work, but you'll likely want a little more quality than the cheapest. Jim Brown has done a study of several models and can list some potential watchouts (poor bonding, pin one issues etc) so maybe he'll chime in here. The bottom line (to me) is that you have a serious radio, you're building a serious station, why diddle around with being cheap on a critical part, the sound card by trying to multiuse the computer sound card. That's like putting retread tires on a sports car. ;o) 73, Rick wa6nhc -----Original Message----- From: william wade Hello all: Getting ready to set up PSK31 on my K3 following the operating tips outlined by Wayne. He states: "It is usually best to use a second sound card for...digital modes". Is he referring to something like Tigertronics? 73 Bill, Ai4PF ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
