You need to consider several separate aspects of radio automation. Assuming you are operating with one radio, consider these:
- Operating System: There are logging programs for Linux and MacOS but your choices are much more limited than with Windows. When I switched from Windows to MacOS, I tried Snookum Logger but found it primitive compared to Windows offerings. There are other possibilities that I know nothing about. At this point I run a virtual Windows machine on my Macbook Pro under VMware Fusion. It's complicated but it works. - Rig Control: Connect either an RS232 cable or USB cable from your computer to the K3s. Tell your logging program the COM port number (or identify the USB connection to MacOS) and characteristics (typically 38400-N-8-1) and then the logger will track the radio's frequency and mode. You can also type in a frequency and most loggers will send the rig there. Not all of them, though. - CW Keying: Although you can key the K3s through the same serial port that you use for rig control, I advise against it because unrelated load on your computer can sometimes result in "stuttering" - poor keying. Instead, I like to use an external keyer and the WinKeyer USB is a very good choice. It connects to your computer via a USB cable, to your paddle and to the the K3s Key In connector. It forms dots and dashes outside the computer and works very well for both computer and manual sending. Some people prefer to connect the paddle to the K3 PADDLE input to provide separate speed control for manual and computer sending. (I use two paddles, one through the external keyer and one direct to the K3.) - Voice Messages: If you operate phone, you may want to automate contest messages, especially CQ, Exchange and Thanks. If you have the K3s internal voice keyer, you can use that, provided your logging program supports it. If not, you can let your logger generate voice messages and transfer them to the K3 via a sound card. It is best to use an external sound card rather than the one inside the computer in order to avoid computer sound effects getting transmitted. The Griffen iMic card is simple and inexpensive. (The Asus Xonar family are more sophisticated and probably "better." I don't have mine working yet.) There are dozens of alternatives. You can plug into K3 Line In and leave your live microphone connected to front or rear MIC In connectors. - Data Modes: The quickest way to get here is to connect a pair of 3.5mm phone cables between an external sound card and the K3 Line In and Line Out connectors. Run AFSK or PSK with appropriate software. Many prefer FSK which requires a cable from a serial port (or carefully chosen USB-to-Serial adapter) to the FSK line on the K3 ACC connector. You can also use a Signalink or other multi-function interface box, but it's not required and won't be any simpler. It might save some cable swapping when changing between voice and data modes, depending on the box and how you set things up. There are lots of "moving parts" and patience is a virtue. Consider the project of getting it all working to be part of your pursuit of ham radio. Take it one piece at a time and enjoy each individual success. If you operate two radios (SO2R), it's more complicated. ;-) GL & 73, /Rick N6XI On Wed, Jan 27, 2016 at 10:51 AM, a45wg <a4...@sy-edm.com> wrote: > Fellow Hams, > I received my K3-S a few weeks ago - and I have been > marvelling at it’s features. I still am awaiting the arrival of a rotator - > and them I will hoist some Yagi’s up… but in the meantime - I am enjoying > the awesome RX/TX on this radio…. > > I used to be quite an active contest station (alas no 4x4x4 here) > - on CW/SSB and Occasionally RTTY - so please may I ask for some > steerage/advice regarding the best way to connect a K3-S to a PC so I can > automate some of the repetition of contest work …. I fully understand and > accept "DE TEST” is not everyone’s cup of tea… But I enjoy it at times. > > It appears that WinKeyer is popular - will that suffice just for > CW ? How about Data Modes ?? > > I would prefer not to have 3 or 4 options - but too keep things > simple. In the “old days” I used to use a SignaLink - which I found > flexible and worthwhile. > > > OS for PC: > Linux or Mac - NOT Windows > > Many thanks for taking the time to read this > > > Regards > > Tim - A45WG > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to rta...@gmail.com -- Rick Tavan Truckee, CA ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
