Amen Don, you just hit the nail right on the head. I struggled with an interface box and set it aside and got the K3/PC hookup working and never did bother with the interface box after that as I found the current setup does it all.
KISS is the Portable Operators 'Bible' for me now..:-) 73''s Gary On Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 11:56 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> wrote: > Joe, > > My apologies to your products, but I have been a long and strong > believer in the KISS principle. "Keep It Simple Stupid". Yes, there > are accessories that make things more usable, but at the expense of > simplicity. Every device added to the combination of things to put a > signal on the air adds to the complexity of the entire setup. And that > added complexity adds to the number of devices that can fail, and adds > exponentially to the number of setup combinations that are possible - > some combinations will work, others will almost work, and a lot of other > combinations result in requests for help here on the Elecraft > reflector. None of those combinations are a K3 problem, but are a > result of the complexity of the various components in the users station > setup. > > Since the K3 does support digital modes direct from a computer > soundcard, it would be prudent IMHO for users to try that combination > first before committing to the extra features afforded by an external > interface box. > > In two cases in the last two days, we have encountered "problems" on > this reflector where the user of an external interface box had problems > because the audio levels presented to the K3 were at microphone level > instead of line level - simply because the interface box manufacturer > did not consider that any transceiver would be using line level inputs. > Your Microham interface boxes may give consideration to line level input > (I don't know one way or the other), but many do not even consider > anything other than mic level input. I am not targeting the Microham > products, but am simply indicating that many digital interface boxes do > not consider line level audio input to the transceiver. > > Again with the KISS principle, the more functions that are placed in the > interface box, the more complex the entire station operation becomes. > Once properly set up, it can be a benefit, but for those who are > initially venturing into digital modes, the variety of setup tools and > menus for a particular interface box can be overwhelming. This is not a > K3 problem. Set things up using the simplest connections possible, and > determine that the K3 works. Then add the interface box - if it does > not work, then it should be obvious that some setup parameter for the > interface box is the problem and the user should direct his questions to > the interface box reflector and not bring implications that the K3 is > faulty. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 1/9/2011 8:06 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: >> >>> In other words (for those using a K3), an additional soundcard may be >>> a better solution than one of the "Digital Interface" boxes. >> >> That depends entirely on the feature set the user needs. >> >> 1) The K3 can not switch between soundcard input and microphone >> input based on PTT source to support DVK from logging software >> 2) The K3 can not automatically control band switching in an Icom >> PW-1 or other CI-V compatible accessories. >> 3) The K3 does not have a keyer compatible with the three major >> contest loggers and several major "day to day" loggers. >> >> I'm sure I can come up with two or three more features if pressed. >> In any case, dismissing the "digital interfaces" rather than helping >> K3 users make their equipment coexist properly is rather short >> sighted. >> >> 73, >> >> ... Joe Subich, W4TV >> microHAM America, LLC. >> http://www.microHAM-USA.com >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM >> >> >> On 1/9/2011 7:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >>> Bob, >>> >>> Your assertion that one does not have to use the normal computer >>> soundcard is well received. BUT there is no need to use one of the >>> "Digital Interfaces" just to get the soundcard function. There are >>> plenty of external soundcards available at less cost than the digital >>> interfaces, and for those with desktop computers, adding an internal >>> soundcard (in addition to the normal Windows soundcard) is an easy thing >>> to do. Most applications will let you select which soundcard should be >>> used. >>> >>> In other words (for those using a K3), an additional soundcard may be a >>> better solution than one of the "Digital Interface" boxes. >>> >>> 73, >>> Don W3FPR >>> >>> On 1/9/2011 6:59 PM, Bob Naumann wrote: >>>> The TI-5 has a USB sound card in it. The idea is so you don't have to >>>> interfere with your "normal" computer's sound card. >>>> >>>> I have a TI-5 and it works nicely - although I do FSK RTTY so the >>>> transmit >>>> levels are not something I have to mess with. >>>> >>>> 73, >>>> >>>> Bob W5OV >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net >>>> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tony Estep >>>> Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2011 2:50 PM >>>> To: Elecraft >>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/RigExpert TI-5 >>>> >>>> On Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 2:26 PM, Don Wilhelm<w3...@embarqmail.com> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> ...With the K3, no digital interface is required...everything needed >>>>> built-in, no need for a separate interface box. >>>>> >>>> What Don said. Start out by hooking the K3 straight to the computer (3 >>>> cables: serial, audio in, audio out) and get it working that way. It >>>> will do >>>> all digital modes, SSB, CW, and everything else without an >>>> interface. Then >>>> you will know everything works and can adjust levels, etc. After >>>> that you >>>> can insert an interface if for some reason you need one. >>>> >>>> Tony KT0NY >> > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > -- Gary VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile http://www.qsl.net/vk4fd/ K3 #679, P3 #546 For everything else there's Mastercard!!! ______________________________________________________________ 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
