Re: [Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8?
There are multiple aspects to this question. As another K4 field tester, here's my take, trying to objectively outline the choices for all users. 1. Any of the following soundcard alternatives can be used with the K4: a. PC soundcard, either integrated or added, e.g., via USB or plug-in card to a desktop b. USB ham radio "interface" box, e.g., RigBlaster, microHAM microKeyer or SO2R controller c. K4 internal soundcard In all cases, the Windows Sound Control has level controls for all these alternatives. In addition, the b and c alternatives have their own level controls that can be thought of as logically in "series" with the Windows level controls. Generally, the Windows level controls are set to result in a "reasonable" range of control by the additional level controls of alternatives b and c. In the case of alternative b, there are often physical knobs. The K4 (alternative c) has on-screen level controls that can be varied with on-screen up/down arrows or by using the VFO-A knob. 2. All of these alternatives are equally adequate performance-wise. The exception might be low-end soundcards in alternative a. Another exception might be minimizing A-D and D-A conversions, in which case the K4 soundcard, c, is ideal. There are no analog audio cables, or signals, between the radio's digital audio and the PC application, pure K4 digital audio direct to the software. 3. Choosing one of the above alternatives is a personal preference we all get to make. If you like physical knobs readily available, then the alternative b is good. If, like me, you prefer simplicity and seldom touch the soundcard levels, then the minimalist K4 soundcard solution c is nice. If you have need for other features, e.g., SO2R control, then you'll have that alternative b anyway and will use its sound card and user interface. Each of us can consider the alternatives and decide which is appealing and suits our operating needs best. I suspect it boils down to choosing between alternatives b and c. 73, Ed W0YK -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Dennis Dinga Sent: 04 January, 2021 17:11 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8? This question keeps coming up but, but the answers are either incomplete or confusing. Courtney KD6X asked it again on Jan 3 and has not received an answer. Here's the way I'd like to ask it: I use a West Mountain RIGblaster advantage instead of the sound card in my computer. Why? So that I have the convenience of adjusting TX and RX levels with physical knobs instead of using sliders on a monitor. So how do you set levels with the K4? Does it require fiddling with menus and going through several steps? And like Courtney asked, is there anything else to gained by using an external 24 bit card? -Dennis N6DD ++ Here is the way that Courtney KD6X put it: "Any value in using a Microkeyer III with a K3S or K4D? I have a K3... the best radio I've ever owed in my 50+ year ham life. I'm currently using a US Interface Navigator with it for digital modes. This is now sold as the Time Wave Navigator and has worked really well for me for many years. My understanding is that the K3S and now the incoming K4's have sound cards built-in via the USB port. So perhaps I won't need the Navigator anymore when my K4 eventually arrives. But my question is whether there is still something to be gained using a newer transceiver interface with the K3S or K4? I've been looking at the Microkeyer III with its 24 bit audio processing. Does anyone have any hands-on experience with the Microkeyer III with Elecraft radios? I'm particularly interested if it has a lower noise floor or other features that might not be found in the stock K3S or K4. Thanks for any input or feedback! -- Courtney KD6X" __ 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 e...@w0yk.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8?
The Advantage has a soundcard in it. I have one too, but I used it in my old Icom 746 pro. 73, Gwen, NG3P On Mon, Jan 4, 2021, 8:11 PM Dennis Dinga wrote: > This question keeps coming up but, but the answers are either > incomplete or confusing. Courtney KD6X asked it again on Jan 3 and > has not received an answer. > > Here's the way I'd like to ask it: I use a West Mountain RIGblaster > advantage instead of the sound card in my computer. Why? So that I > have the convenience of adjusting TX and RX levels with physical > knobs instead of using sliders on a monitor. So how do you set > levels with the K4? Does it require fiddling with menus and going > through several steps? And like Courtney asked, is there anything > else to gained by using an external 24 bit card? > > -Dennis N6DD > > ++ > > Here is the way that Courtney KD6X put it: > > "Any value in using a Microkeyer III with a K3S or K4D? > > I have a K3... the best radio I've ever owed in my 50+ year ham > life. I'm currently using a US Interface Navigator with it for > digital modes. This is now sold as the Time Wave Navigator and has > worked really well for me for many years. > > My understanding is that the K3S and now the incoming K4's have sound > cards built-in via the USB port. So perhaps I won't need the > Navigator anymore when my K4 eventually arrives. But my question is > whether there is still something to be gained using a newer > transceiver interface with the K3S or K4? I've been looking at the > Microkeyer III with its 24 bit audio processing. Does anyone have > any hands-on experience with the Microkeyer III with Elecraft > radios? I'm particularly interested if it has a lower noise floor or > other features that might not be found in the stock K3S or K4. > > Thanks for any input or feedback! > >-- Courtney KD6X" > > > __ > 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 ard...@gmail.com > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8?
The K4 has an internal sound card but its use is optional. I've used it on AFSK but not yet on other digital modes. Level setting is via soft controls, not dedicated physical knobs. This requires tapping the touch-screen several times, then turning the main tuning knob to adjust each level. You might want to download the available *Introduction to the Elecraft K4* or the *Builtin Operating Manual* files at https://elecraft.com/pages/manuals-downloads. Click Support, then Manuals, then K4 and you'll see it. Setting up the K4 for RTTY using its internal sound card required no additional cables beyond what I was already using for computer control (a USB A-B cable). YMMV, though, and if you want dedicated level knobs, you can connect an external sound card through analog 1/8" LINE IN/OUT phone jacks. You will still need to use the soft controls to tell K4 which type of connection you're using. 73, /Rick N6XI On Mon, Jan 4, 2021 at 5:12 PM Dennis Dinga wrote: > This question keeps coming up but, but the answers are either > incomplete or confusing. Courtney KD6X asked it again on Jan 3 and > has not received an answer. > > Here's the way I'd like to ask it: I use a West Mountain RIGblaster > advantage instead of the sound card in my computer. Why? So that I > have the convenience of adjusting TX and RX levels with physical > knobs instead of using sliders on a monitor. So how do you set > levels with the K4? Does it require fiddling with menus and going > through several steps? And like Courtney asked, is there anything > else to gained by using an external 24 bit card? > > -Dennis N6DD > > ++ > > Here is the way that Courtney KD6X put it: > > "Any value in using a Microkeyer III with a K3S or K4D? > > I have a K3... the best radio I've ever owed in my 50+ year ham > life. I'm currently using a US Interface Navigator with it for > digital modes. This is now sold as the Time Wave Navigator and has > worked really well for me for many years. > > My understanding is that the K3S and now the incoming K4's have sound > cards built-in via the USB port. So perhaps I won't need the > Navigator anymore when my K4 eventually arrives. But my question is > whether there is still something to be gained using a newer > transceiver interface with the K3S or K4? I've been looking at the > Microkeyer III with its 24 bit audio processing. Does anyone have > any hands-on experience with the Microkeyer III with Elecraft > radios? I'm particularly interested if it has a lower noise floor or > other features that might not be found in the stock K3S or K4. > > Thanks for any input or feedback! > >-- Courtney KD6X" > > > __ > 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 and Saratoga, 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
Re: [Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8?
In an ideal world, we would not have any analog audio in use for digital modes. Analog RF to the ADC in the front end of the radio. Digital through the "radio" to the digital path to the computer to the digital processing for digital modes. The K3S actually goes through a DtoA conversion and then a AtoD again within the radio. Does the K4 also do this? For audio, of course, somewhere we need to do DtoA conversion. 73 Bill AE6JV On 1/4/21 at 8:36 PM, n...@elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) wrote: The sound card is built into the K4 (stereo line out for RX, line in for TX). Adjustment is simple. There is no advantage whatsoever to using an external sound card. The K4 also has analog line in/out for backwards compatibility, and supports digital audio streaming over Ethernet as well. --- Bill Frantz| Security is like Government | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | services. The market doesn't | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | want to pay for them.| Peterborough, NH 03458 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8?
Hi Dennis, The sound card is built into the K4 (stereo line out for RX, line in for TX). Adjustment is simple. There is no advantage whatsoever to using an external sound card. The K4 also has analog line in/out for backwards compatibility, and supports digital audio streaming over Ethernet as well. 73, Wayne N6KR > On Jan 4, 2021, at 5:11 PM, Dennis Dinga wrote: > > This question keeps coming up but, but the answers are either incomplete or > confusing. Courtney KD6X asked it again on Jan 3 and has not received an > answer. > > Here's the way I'd like to ask it: I use a West Mountain RIGblaster > advantage instead of the sound card in my computer. Why? So that I have the > convenience of adjusting TX and RX levels with physical knobs instead of > using sliders on a monitor. So how do you set levels with the K4? Does it > require fiddling with menus and going through several steps? And like > Courtney asked, is there anything else to gained by using an external 24 bit > card? > > -Dennis N6DD > > ++ > > Here is the way that Courtney KD6X put it: > > "Any value in using a Microkeyer III with a K3S or K4D? > > I have a K3... the best radio I've ever owed in my 50+ year ham life. I'm > currently using a US Interface Navigator with it for digital modes. This is > now sold as the Time Wave Navigator and has worked really well for me for > many years. > > My understanding is that the K3S and now the incoming K4's have sound cards > built-in via the USB port. So perhaps I won't need the Navigator anymore > when my K4 eventually arrives. But my question is whether there is still > something to be gained using a newer transceiver interface with the K3S or > K4? I've been looking at the Microkeyer III with its 24 bit audio > processing. Does anyone have any hands-on experience with the Microkeyer III > with Elecraft radios? I'm particularly interested if it has a lower noise > floor or other features that might not be found in the stock K3S or K4. > > Thanks for any input or feedback! > > -- Courtney KD6X" > > > __ > 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 n...@elecraft.com __ 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
[Elecraft] Does a K4 need an external sound card for FT8?
This question keeps coming up but, but the answers are either incomplete or confusing. Courtney KD6X asked it again on Jan 3 and has not received an answer. Here's the way I'd like to ask it: I use a West Mountain RIGblaster advantage instead of the sound card in my computer. Why? So that I have the convenience of adjusting TX and RX levels with physical knobs instead of using sliders on a monitor. So how do you set levels with the K4? Does it require fiddling with menus and going through several steps? And like Courtney asked, is there anything else to gained by using an external 24 bit card? -Dennis N6DD ++ Here is the way that Courtney KD6X put it: "Any value in using a Microkeyer III with a K3S or K4D? I have a K3... the best radio I've ever owed in my 50+ year ham life. I'm currently using a US Interface Navigator with it for digital modes. This is now sold as the Time Wave Navigator and has worked really well for me for many years. My understanding is that the K3S and now the incoming K4's have sound cards built-in via the USB port. So perhaps I won't need the Navigator anymore when my K4 eventually arrives. But my question is whether there is still something to be gained using a newer transceiver interface with the K3S or K4? I've been looking at the Microkeyer III with its 24 bit audio processing. Does anyone have any hands-on experience with the Microkeyer III with Elecraft radios? I'm particularly interested if it has a lower noise floor or other features that might not be found in the stock K3S or K4. Thanks for any input or feedback! -- Courtney KD6X" __ 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
