Don, There are actually a lot of hams that use Elecraft equipment on the VHF and higher bands with transverters. It is almost a given that operating microwave ham radio involves hauling equipment up high on a big hill or mountain. This operation is typically also very weak-signal operation where software is utilized for either exotic digital modes or using sw for enhanced super CW reception. Thus the KX3 (small-light-but fully capable) will, I predict, be used for such ham activity where a laptop is also convenient due to size/weight.
I do agree that an external USB connected soundcard is most likely the solution. In fact I use that solution in my home station with a table-top computer (have two: emu0202 and Delta-44). I recently took our laptop to a ham club meeting intending to play a DVD for the program and my soundcard is kaput - no sound out. It is only a two year old Dell?? 73, Ed - KL7UW ------------------------------ Message: 41 Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:44:54 -0500 From: Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3- laptops for I/Q To: Brian Pepperdine <brianpepperd...@sympatico.ca> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: <4f286ee6.2040...@embarqmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Brian, My view of the operation on the gazebo or deck, etc. does not mesh in my mind with use of the I/Q KX3 output. I think the primary use would be to support CWskimmer, but could also be used to support a panadapter function. While a panadapter may be nice in the gazebo, I anticipate that the uses of the I/Q outputs will be better related to the home station with greater than casual operating situations. Those tools are used in serious operating situations rather than the more casual operation that I envision will be done in the backyard, gazebo or deck. OK, that is my opinion, others may differ. The problem with many laptops is that they do not provide stereo line-in inputs. If indeed that is the situation with your laptop, you will have to use an external soundcard to make good use of the KX3 I/Q output. If your laptop has stereo line-level inputs, then you will only need the application software. This is NOT a KX3 consideration - the KX3 is providing the I/Q output, this is a laptop computer problem in that stereo inputs are not available in many laptops. The solution that works is to use an external USB soundcard - but then again, that is an extra piece of gear to cart around to the backyard, gazebo or deck. In my mind that reinforces my statement that such operation is better planned for the home station rather than portable or semi-portable operation away from the tools and resources of the home station. 73, Don W3FPR 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.com "Kits made by KL7UW" http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm ====================================== ______________________________________________________________ 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
