Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
First attempt to respond to a thread on this reflector so not sure if I am headed in the correct direction. I had trouble with my K3 power hunting. That is at the beginning of the JT65 or JT9 transmission the output power would be 10 watts and slowly move up several watts during the 48 second transmission. Now I could keep it at 10 watts, but had to turn down the audio from the front panel of the SIgnaLink USB. Turns out my setup like I had used with other transceivers (Flex3K, IC7000) which was to set the rigs power to 100% and adjust the audio level for 10 watts or whatever I wanted does not work with the K3. Set the audio input to 4 to 5 flickering bars on the ALC meter scale. Power can be set to zero or TEST mode as you don't need any power out. Once that was done the power hunting stopped and it would go to the power level set by the PWR knob. Interesting that if set to say 10 watts it will jump to 8-9 drift up to 10 on the first transmission on that band. After the 1st transmission it goes to 10 watts immediately. Seems like there is still some level of power hunting. Not sure what to make of that yet. KE5MC, Mike __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
Mike, Your post was just fine. You are correct, the K3 behaves differently than other rigs, so you must drive the audio and set the power differently. The K3 power starts out lower and builds up to the requested level - that should happen in just a second or two. I *believe* it takes a little longer with the more constant audio of digital modes than it does with SSB syllabic speech or intermittent CW. IMHO, that is a whole lot better than having a power spike at the beginning as happens with some other rigs which depend on ALC to control the power output. The K2/K3/KX3 power control system is a closed loop with the processor inside the loop, so it must sense the actual power output before any correction is applied. If you want to circumvent that buildup, transmit briefly into a dummy load right after a band change or a change in the setting of the power control or a mode change. As you have observed, it only happens on the first transmission. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/21/2014 12:25 PM, macforsale wrote: First attempt to respond to a thread on this reflector so not sure if I am headed in the correct direction. I had trouble with my K3 power hunting. That is at the beginning of the JT65 or JT9 transmission the output power would be 10 watts and slowly move up several watts during the 48 second transmission. Now I could keep it at 10 watts, but had to turn down the audio from the front panel of the SIgnaLink USB. Turns out my setup like I had used with other transceivers (Flex3K, IC7000) which was to set the rigs power to 100% and adjust the audio level for 10 watts or whatever I wanted does not work with the K3. Set the audio input to 4 to 5 flickering bars on the ALC meter scale. Power can be set to zero or TEST mode as you don't need any power out. Once that was done the power hunting stopped and it would go to the power level set by the PWR knob. Interesting that if set to say 10 watts it will jump to 8-9 drift up to 10 on the first transmission on that band. After the 1st transmission it goes to 10 watts immediately. Seems like there is still some level of power hunting. Not sure what to make of that yet. KE5MC, Mike __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
Hi Rick, Thank you. When I ordered my K3 I ordered the TCXO option, as I was planning on eventually trying the digital modes. Just wondering, what software do you use for the JT modes? 73, Bob On 1/19/14, 11:04 PM, Rick Bates happymooseph...@gmail.com wrote: I've found it best to use minimal K3 output (Lin Out 1) and maxing the levels on the SLUSB drivers. Ideally, you want a sprinkling of snow on the waterfalls, not a blizzard. I also max the driver TX level then adjust the Data A level to the proper level. The knobs on the SLUSB are kept at noon unless you need a finer tuning for current conditions. If you see 'echoes' (harmonic related) of a strong signal on the waterfall, you're overdriving your input; not to be confused with IMD (shadows) being sent by some when THEY are overdriving their audio. It's also a great tool for operating remotely by routing Skype audio to/from the SLUSB and NOT getting OS sounds (or ring sounds) accidentally sent out on the air. You may have small issues on the JT modes if you do not have TCXO as the transmitter heats up (slight freq drift). I've always had the TCXO, so I can't confirm that. Others may comment about that. The slower the shift rate, the more critical the frequency accuracy is. Thankfully, the line TX setting is separate from the Data A TX level setting which is also different from the Mic settings so you don't have to (remotely) reset the levels each time you change modes. Great job Elecraft! 73, Rick wa6nhc Cameron Park, Ca -Original Message- From: Jim Bennett Hi Bob - I've used the SLUSB on both a K3 and a KX3 with success. The K3 had it hooked to a MacBook AIr laptop; when I moved the SLUSB to my KX3, I hooked it to an iMac. Nothing special needs to be done on the K3. In my case I ran native in the Mac OS X environment. For PSK31 I used cocoaModem and for JT9 and JT65 I used WSJT-X. Both apps work very well on both the K3 and the KX3 and both Mac hardware platforms. Again, nothing tricky about using the SLUSB and the Mac. The trickyness comes with the software apps you will be using!!! If your shack experiences any sort of RFI from common mode RF, it can affect the SLUSB. I had that issue and resolved it by winding the USB cable through a 2-1/4 mix 31 donut several times. Of course, getting rid of the common mode RF is the best solution... :-) Jim / W6JHB Folsom, CA On Sunday, Jan 19, 2014, at Sunday, 7:48 PM, Robert Nobis wrote: I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
While I don't use the modes often because it takes too long for a QSO (with no real chatting), I have WSJT9, WSPR and JT65-HF ready to go. 73, Rick wa6nhc Tiny iPhone 5 keypad, typos are inevitable On Jan 20, 2014, at 7:53 AM, Robert Nobis rob...@nobis.net wrote: Hi Rick, Thank you. When I ordered my K3 I ordered the TCXO option, as I was planning on eventually trying the digital modes. Just wondering, what software do you use for the JT modes? 73, Bob __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
On Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:40:11 -0700 Robert Nobis n7...@nobis.net wrote: Sam, Thank you. Yes, I did purchase the special Signalink cable for use with the K3. Are there any special K3 setup menu options that need to be set up for use with the Signalink? 73, Bob - N7RJN On 1/19/14, 9:29 PM, Sam Morgan k5oai@gmail.com wrote: hope you bought the SignaLink_ USB with cable for the Elecraft K3's rear panel Line In/Out and PTT jacks, make it a snap to connect only catch is Win7 has separate controls for each piece of audio hardware, so you have to also set up the Win7 Playback and Record for the SignaLink USB, as well as the K3's Line out and the controls on the face of the SignaLink USB. Easy to do, just realize there is more than one control causing signal levels to change. On 01/19/2014 09:48 PM, Robert Nobis wrote: I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN -- GB 73 K5OAI Sam Morgan __ 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 Has anyone used this device with a K-2? I haven't finished assembling the K-2 but will want to use the Signalink-USB with it when completed. Are there any special gotchas? Thanks 73, Tom KG7CFC -- Never be ashamed to ask for information. The ignorant man will always be ignorant if he fears that by asking he will display ignorance - Booker T Washington ^^ --... ...-- / -.- --. --... -.-. ..-. -.-. Tom Taylor - retired penguin - KG7CFC AMD Phenom II x4 955 -- 4GB RAM -- 2x1.5TB sata2 openSUSE 13.1_RC2-x86_64 KDE 4.11.12, FF 24.0, claws-mail 3.9.2 registered linux user 263467 __ 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] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
hope you bought the SignaLink™ USB with cable for the Elecraft K3's rear panel Line In/Out and PTT jacks, make it a snap to connect only catch is Win7 has separate controls for each piece of audio hardware, so you have to also set up the Win7 Playback and Record for the SignaLink USB, as well as the K3's Line out and the controls on the face of the SignaLink USB. Easy to do, just realize there is more than one control causing signal levels to change. On 01/19/2014 09:48 PM, Robert Nobis wrote: I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN -- GB 73 K5OAI Sam Morgan __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
Sam, Thank you. Yes, I did purchase the special Signalink cable for use with the K3. Are there any special K3 setup menu options that need to be set up for use with the Signalink? 73, Bob - N7RJN On 1/19/14, 9:29 PM, Sam Morgan k5oai@gmail.com wrote: hope you bought the SignaLink USB with cable for the Elecraft K3's rear panel Line In/Out and PTT jacks, make it a snap to connect only catch is Win7 has separate controls for each piece of audio hardware, so you have to also set up the Win7 Playback and Record for the SignaLink USB, as well as the K3's Line out and the controls on the face of the SignaLink USB. Easy to do, just realize there is more than one control causing signal levels to change. On 01/19/2014 09:48 PM, Robert Nobis wrote: I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN -- GB 73 K5OAI Sam Morgan __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
Hi Bob - I've used the SLUSB on both a K3 and a KX3 with success. The K3 had it hooked to a MacBook AIr laptop; when I moved the SLUSB to my KX3, I hooked it to an iMac. Nothing special needs to be done on the K3. In my case I ran native in the Mac OS X environment. For PSK31 I used cocoaModem and for JT9 and JT65 I used WSJT-X. Both apps work very well on both the K3 and the KX3 and both Mac hardware platforms. Again, nothing tricky about using the SLUSB and the Mac. The trickyness comes with the software apps you will be using!!! If your shack experiences any sort of RFI from common mode RF, it can affect the SLUSB. I had that issue and resolved it by winding the USB cable through a 2-1/4 mix 31 donut several times. Of course, getting rid of the common mode RF is the best solution... :-) Jim / W6JHB Folsom, CA On Sunday, Jan 19, 2014, at Sunday, 7:48 PM, Robert Nobis wrote: I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Precautions or hints on use of Signalink USB with the K3 for PSK31 and JT65A digital modes
I've found it best to use minimal K3 output (Lin Out 1) and maxing the levels on the SLUSB drivers. Ideally, you want a sprinkling of snow on the waterfalls, not a blizzard. I also max the driver TX level then adjust the Data A level to the proper level. The knobs on the SLUSB are kept at noon unless you need a finer tuning for current conditions. If you see 'echoes' (harmonic related) of a strong signal on the waterfall, you're overdriving your input; not to be confused with IMD (shadows) being sent by some when THEY are overdriving their audio. It's also a great tool for operating remotely by routing Skype audio to/from the SLUSB and NOT getting OS sounds (or ring sounds) accidentally sent out on the air. You may have small issues on the JT modes if you do not have TCXO as the transmitter heats up (slight freq drift). I've always had the TCXO, so I can't confirm that. Others may comment about that. The slower the shift rate, the more critical the frequency accuracy is. Thankfully, the line TX setting is separate from the Data A TX level setting which is also different from the Mic settings so you don't have to (remotely) reset the levels each time you change modes. Great job Elecraft! 73, Rick wa6nhc Cameron Park, Ca -Original Message- From: Jim Bennett Hi Bob - I've used the SLUSB on both a K3 and a KX3 with success. The K3 had it hooked to a MacBook AIr laptop; when I moved the SLUSB to my KX3, I hooked it to an iMac. Nothing special needs to be done on the K3. In my case I ran native in the Mac OS X environment. For PSK31 I used cocoaModem and for JT9 and JT65 I used WSJT-X. Both apps work very well on both the K3 and the KX3 and both Mac hardware platforms. Again, nothing tricky about using the SLUSB and the Mac. The trickyness comes with the software apps you will be using!!! If your shack experiences any sort of RFI from common mode RF, it can affect the SLUSB. I had that issue and resolved it by winding the USB cable through a 2-1/4 mix 31 donut several times. Of course, getting rid of the common mode RF is the best solution... :-) Jim / W6JHB Folsom, CA On Sunday, Jan 19, 2014, at Sunday, 7:48 PM, Robert Nobis wrote: I have ordered a Signaink USB for use with my K3, primarily for PSK31 and JT65A operation, and expect delivery on Monday. Does anyone have any precautions or hints on proper setup of the Signalink for use with the K3? I use Windows 7 running on a Mac under VMWare Fusion. 73, Bob - N7RJN __ 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
