Well...... Yes and no. I tried Win4K3 and PowerSDR-IF and couldn't get either to work worth a hoot. I settled on NaP3 and am quite happy with it.
If you want to do nothing more than have the Panadapter view and/or waterfall, then yes, you can simply download and install NaP3, hook a cable from your KX3 to your sound card, run the Elecraft Serial-->USB cable from the KX3 to the computer, and you will have it. However, I also wanted a logging program running on my Win/XP system (running on a Mac with VMware Fusion) that knows what frequency & band the KX3 is on. Both require a Com port. My Mac has ZERO com ports. I'm using the Elecraft Serial-->USB cable between the KX3 and the Mac's USB port. In order for me to have an additional Com port I also installed the free program LPB2 (LP Bridge 2). It connects to the KX3 using the original Com port that the Elecraft cable produces and then allows you to have up to five more "virtual" com ports. It's pretty easy to get going and if you have questions I might be able to help. There is also a Yahoo LP-PAN group you can join. The owner/moderator has been quite helpful - Larry/N8LP. The quality / speed of the display depends on the quality of your sound card. Apple did not go to a lot of expense with the built-in sound card and I'm thus limited to seeing a maximum of 48 kHz of the band at one time. But the more I use the software, the better I feel about having this size slice to view. The RX I/Q cable from Elecraft for the KX3 is 2.5 mm stereo on one end and 3.5 mm stereo on the other end. That is what my system needs, as my iMac has a 3.5 mm stereo jack on the back for the Line In connection. Drop me a note if you have questions. 73, Jim / W6JHB On Friday, Feb 28, 2014, at Friday, 10:41 AM, Charlie T, K3ICH wrote: > Jim, was this just a mater of running the free software on a shack computer > with the I/Q from the KX3 going to your sound card? > > If it's THAT easy, I might try it. I am totally hooked with the K3/P3?VGA > already. > > Thanks, Charlie k3ICH > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Bennett" <w6...@mac.com> > To: "Jim Lowman" <jmlow...@sbcglobal.net> > Cc: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Friday, February 28, 2014 1:19 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The case for a Panadapter - opinions, please? > > >> Jim, >> >> I had my K3 for about two years before I got the P3. Now, I would not be >> without it. When chasing DX I can see where the other stations are and >> either jump on the frequency of the last guy worked, or find a "hole" in the >> pileup where I can plunk down my signal. I also do the QRP "fox hunts" - >> same deal there - finding a spot to call the fox makes the P3 invaluable. I >> sometimes work contests, in my attempt to get 5BWAS. The P3 lets me see >> where activity is. >> >> I recently got a KX3. Not having the P3 panadapter was like walking around >> blind. Sure, that's the way everyone operated in the past, but then again, >> why not use the technology available? So, I got some software and hooked my >> KX3 up to a free program called NaP3 and I now have a 27" pan view of the >> band. >> >> If you get a P3 - you will NOT want to be without it!!! :-) >> >> Jim / W6JHB >> >> >> On Friday, Feb 28, 2014, at Friday, 10:08 AM, Jim Lowman wrote: >> >>> I'm basically a S&P operator, especially in contests. I've found that >>> calling CQ is something of a waste of valuable time. >>> >>> When I see options like the Panadapter, or bandscopes from other >>> manufacturers, I get the metaphor of fishing in a stocked pond. >>> >>> So, for those of you who have this option, could you describe how it has >>> assisted you? >>> In another message, someone mentioned that weak stations outside of the >>> passband could be missed, which is a good point. >>> >>> BTW, I'm not opposed to giving the good folks at Elecraft more of my $$$ if >>> this is a good idea. >>> >>> Thanks in advance and 73 de Jim - AD6CW >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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 >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 > ______________________________________________________________ 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
