Re: [Elecraft] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
Well, at least your expectations were met and you're not going away unsatisfied. Wes N7WS On 5/10/2014 7:50 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: I knew this was going to turn into "why do you need all that audio gear" discussion. Never mind. Thanks for your input. I guess i'll just ask Eric or Wayne next Friday at Dayton. __ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS w2...@arrl.net __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
I knew this was going to turn into "why do you need all that audio gear" discussion. Never mind. Thanks for your input. I guess i'll just ask Eric or Wayne next Friday at Dayton. __ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS w2...@arrl.net On May 9, 2014, at 8:23 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > On 5/9/2014 4:40 PM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: >> By "my audio stuff" i mean a mic. >> I'm using a Shure SM58, into a mic preamp, into a >> gate/compressor/limiter/de-esser into an EQ into a mixer into the K3's >> line-in. > > Hi Slava, > > A de-esser works in the 6-8 kHz range, and you need it in a studio, > especially with mics like the SM58 that are sibilant, it's totally useless > for ham radio. If you want to use an SM58, you can run it straight into the > front panel mic input with a suitable adapter -- pin 2 of the XLR is hot, pin > 3 and pin 1 get tied together and go to the connector shell. The K3 has > excellent EQ and compression built in, so you've got a lot of stuff there > that you don't need. > > The SM58 is an singer's vocal mic, it has proximity effect, which adds a lot > of bass that must be equalized out. Pro mics are overkill for ham radio (in > terms of cost), but if you want to use one, go for one of the EV variable-D > mics -- RE10, 11, 15, 16, 18. No proximity effect, no sibilance. > > Another issue with trying to use a pro mic in ham radio is that ham mics have > presence peaks around 3 kHz to compensate for the rolloff of the crystal > filter, so you must add that with an equalizer. The TXEQ in the K3 works VERY > well for that. Before W6XU turned me onto the Yahama CM500 headset, I was > using an RE16 from my stash of recording mics, on an AKG boom. Worked fine, I > got great reports, but the CM500 is $60, and sounds great too. > >> So line-in is taken. I can't put a Y cable there because, correct me if i'm >> wrong, every time Signalink would key up - the mic would go live. >> So that's not an option for me. >> I think its a lot easier to just hit a couple of buttons and switch to the >> front panel mic for digital work, isn't it? >> And the rear mic won't go live either. >> >> As far as audio interface goes, yes, i have an E-mu 0404 USB that i can use. >> But signalink works just fine. No drivers to install. And it has just enough >> controls. > If you're happy with it, use the Line In. But remember that it has a Pin One > Problem, so you could run into RFI with it. > >> I really don't see why i would need a studio quality sound card for PSK31. > > See my exchange with N7WS about that in this thread -- a better sound card > can improve linearity at the bottom of the dynamic range. In fact, you need a > decent USB sound card a LOT more than all that outboard gear. The 0404 is > overkill, although nice if you want to feed a spectrum display using NaP3. > The Signal Link may be good enough -- the cheap Numark and somewhat nicer > Tascam certainly are. > > I use the CM500 plugged into the rear panel mic and headphone jacks, assign > the "Headphones + Speaker" toggle to one of the PF keys. That lets you use > the K3's excellent audio processing, get rid of all that outboard gear, and > makes it very easy to switch from SSB to digital modes. > > 73, Jim K9YC > Retired audio professional > __ > 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 sla...@nullserv.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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
On 5/9/2014 4:40 PM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: By "my audio stuff" i mean a mic. I'm using a Shure SM58, into a mic preamp, into a gate/compressor/limiter/de-esser into an EQ into a mixer into the K3's line-in. Hi Slava, A de-esser works in the 6-8 kHz range, and you need it in a studio, especially with mics like the SM58 that are sibilant, it's totally useless for ham radio. If you want to use an SM58, you can run it straight into the front panel mic input with a suitable adapter -- pin 2 of the XLR is hot, pin 3 and pin 1 get tied together and go to the connector shell. The K3 has excellent EQ and compression built in, so you've got a lot of stuff there that you don't need. The SM58 is an singer's vocal mic, it has proximity effect, which adds a lot of bass that must be equalized out. Pro mics are overkill for ham radio (in terms of cost), but if you want to use one, go for one of the EV variable-D mics -- RE10, 11, 15, 16, 18. No proximity effect, no sibilance. Another issue with trying to use a pro mic in ham radio is that ham mics have presence peaks around 3 kHz to compensate for the rolloff of the crystal filter, so you must add that with an equalizer. The TXEQ in the K3 works VERY well for that. Before W6XU turned me onto the Yahama CM500 headset, I was using an RE16 from my stash of recording mics, on an AKG boom. Worked fine, I got great reports, but the CM500 is $60, and sounds great too. So line-in is taken. I can't put a Y cable there because, correct me if i'm wrong, every time Signalink would key up - the mic would go live. So that's not an option for me. I think its a lot easier to just hit a couple of buttons and switch to the front panel mic for digital work, isn't it? And the rear mic won't go live either. As far as audio interface goes, yes, i have an E-mu 0404 USB that i can use. But signalink works just fine. No drivers to install. And it has just enough controls. If you're happy with it, use the Line In. But remember that it has a Pin One Problem, so you could run into RFI with it. I really don't see why i would need a studio quality sound card for PSK31. See my exchange with N7WS about that in this thread -- a better sound card can improve linearity at the bottom of the dynamic range. In fact, you need a decent USB sound card a LOT more than all that outboard gear. The 0404 is overkill, although nice if you want to feed a spectrum display using NaP3. The Signal Link may be good enough -- the cheap Numark and somewhat nicer Tascam certainly are. I use the CM500 plugged into the rear panel mic and headphone jacks, assign the "Headphones + Speaker" toggle to one of the PF keys. That lets you use the K3's excellent audio processing, get rid of all that outboard gear, and makes it very easy to switch from SSB to digital modes. 73, Jim K9YC Retired audio professional __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
You wouldn't use a Y-cable. Why not an input on your mixer? Then use whatever control is convenient in your pile of outboard gear to kill the mic when running digital modes. Or pad the mic level back down & use K3 mic input. Another topic is why use the outboard gear at all? Gate & limiter aren't necessary with levels set correctly. K3 already has compressor & EQ. I can't deny the rack of gear with blinking lights looks very cool 73, Josh W6XU Sent from my Technophone PC105T > On May 9, 2014, at 4:40 PM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: > > By "my audio stuff" i mean a mic. > I'm using a Shure SM58, into a mic preamp, into a > gate/compressor/limiter/de-esser into an EQ into a mixer into the K3's > line-in. > So line-in is taken. I can't put a Y cable there because, correct me if i'm > wrong, every time Signalink would key up - the mic would go live. > So that's not an option for me. __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
By "my audio stuff" i mean a mic. I'm using a Shure SM58, into a mic preamp, into a gate/compressor/limiter/de-esser into an EQ into a mixer into the K3's line-in. So line-in is taken. I can't put a Y cable there because, correct me if i'm wrong, every time Signalink would key up - the mic would go live. So that's not an option for me. I think its a lot easier to just hit a couple of buttons and switch to the front panel mic for digital work, isn't it? And the rear mic won't go live either. As far as audio interface goes, yes, i have an E-mu 0404 USB that i can use. But signalink works just fine. No drivers to install. And it has just enough controls. I really don't see why i would need a studio quality sound card for PSK31. __ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS w2...@arrl.net On May 9, 2014, at 10:02 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > On 5/9/2014 5:36 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: >> I have the Signalink box that i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to >> also try it with the K3. > > What is "my audio stuff" that you are currently using? If it's to/from an > internal sound card, it's probably worth replacing with a decent USB audio > interface. FWIW, the SignalLink box is highly overrated, thanks to > advertising by those who sell it. And "help" info on the DX Engineering > website to solve RFI issues strongly suggest that it has a Pin One Problem. > > There are several USB audio interfaces sold mostly to DJs and home studios > that work very well for us. Several years ago, I bought and tested thoroughly > two low cost units that work VERY well -- much better decoding of digital > signals, especially weak ones. The simple Numark stereo interface costs about > $35, the now discontinued Tascam US100 was $75, and was replaced by a US120 > that costs more. They work equally well, and neither has a Pin One Problem. > > 73, Jim K9YC > __ > 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 sla...@nullserv.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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
Slava, If you are using a microphone input for data modes, adjusting the mic gain input for the data mode interface will affect the mic gain with your microphone. You will probably find this annoying. The usual arrangement is to configure voice modes to use the front- or rear-panel microphone input, as appropriate for your microphone, with the mic gain level set properly for the mike, and then to configure Data modes to use Line In, with the Line In level set appropriately for data mode input. The Line In level and the microphone input level are independent, so adjusting the Line In level for data modes has no effect on microphone input levels, which is not the case if you use a microphone input for data modes. If you use a sound card for voice keying, you can use the same sound card for Data modes. You would configure MIC+LIN to be on for voice modes and off for Data modes. By controlling the microphone input level to the sound card when you use it as a voice keyer, you can set things up so the Line In level that works for data modes is also the correct setting for voice keying in voice modes. You don't need separate sound cards or interfaces for Data vs. voice modes. 73, Rich VE3KI W2RMS wrote: Hi Don, list! I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to make a cable for the Signalink USB box \ to connect to the K3's 8-pin front side mic connector? I have the Signalink box that \ i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to also try it with the K3. The K3's rear \ line-in is currently taken by my audio stuff. Line out is free for now. I see that RigBlaster has an option of using K3's 8-pin, so i'm sure Signalink should \ be able to use that as well, right? If all the necessary pins are there i could make \ up a CAT5 (or even 6) cable with RJ-45. __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
I have the SL-USB and the Tigertronics cable set and jumper block for the K2. When I acquired the K3 I considered using the front mic connection with the K3. I concluded the K2 cable and block would work with the K3. Never tested it because I ended up using the rear connections for the SL_USB. Perhaps someone has gone farther with this and can confirm or deny. 73, Phil w7ox On 5/9/14, 5:36 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: Hi Don, list! I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to make a cable for the Signalink USB box to connect to the K3's 8-pin front side mic connector? I have the Signalink box that i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to also try it with the K3. The K3's rear line-in is currently taken by my audio stuff. Line out is free for now. I see that RigBlaster has an option of using K3's 8-pin, so i'm sure Signalink should be able to use that as well, right? If all the necessary pins are there i could make up a CAT5 (or even 6) cable with RJ-45. Please advise. Thanks in advance. __ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS w2...@arrl.net __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
On 5/9/2014 5:36 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: I have the Signalink box that i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to also try it with the K3. What is "my audio stuff" that you are currently using? If it's to/from an internal sound card, it's probably worth replacing with a decent USB audio interface. FWIW, the SignalLink box is highly overrated, thanks to advertising by those who sell it. And "help" info on the DX Engineering website to solve RFI issues strongly suggest that it has a Pin One Problem. There are several USB audio interfaces sold mostly to DJs and home studios that work very well for us. Several years ago, I bought and tested thoroughly two low cost units that work VERY well -- much better decoding of digital signals, especially weak ones. The simple Numark stereo interface costs about $35, the now discontinued Tascam US100 was $75, and was replaced by a US120 that costs more. They work equally well, and neither has a Pin One Problem. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
On 5/9/2014 7:36 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: Hi Don, list! I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to make a cable for the Signalink USB box to connect to the K3's 8-pin front side mic connector? I have the Signalink box that i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to also try it with the K3. The K3's rear line-in is currently taken by my audio stuff. Line out is free for now. I see that RigBlaster has an option of using K3's 8-pin, so i'm sure Signalink should be able to use that as well, right? If all the necessary pins are there i could make up a CAT5 (or even 6) cable with RJ-45. Please advise. Thanks in advance. __ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS w2...@arrl.net Do you have the tools for crimping RJ-45 connectors on CAT5/6? If not buy the proper cable from Signalink. It's cheaper. -- R. Kevin Stover AC0H ARRL FISTS #11993 SKCC #215 NAQCC #3441 __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
Slava, Certainly that would be possible, but the output of the Signalink would have to be set at mic level rather than line level. I would think it should be easier to simply use a "Y" adapter on the Line In of the K3. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/9/2014 8:36 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote: Hi Don, list! I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to make a cable for the Signalink USB box to connect to the K3's 8-pin front side mic connector? I have the Signalink box that i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to also try it with the K3. The K3's rear line-in is currently taken by my audio stuff. Line out is free for now. I see that RigBlaster has an option of using K3's 8-pin, so i'm sure Signalink should be able to use that as well, right? If all the necessary pins are there i could make up a CAT5 (or even 6) cable with RJ-45. __ 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] Making a Signalink cable for the K3's 8-pin mic connector
Hi Don, list! I wanted to ask you if it would be possible to make a cable for the Signalink USB box to connect to the K3's 8-pin front side mic connector? I have the Signalink box that i'm using with my Yaesu 857D but i want to also try it with the K3. The K3's rear line-in is currently taken by my audio stuff. Line out is free for now. I see that RigBlaster has an option of using K3's 8-pin, so i'm sure Signalink should be able to use that as well, right? If all the necessary pins are there i could make up a CAT5 (or even 6) cable with RJ-45. Please advise. Thanks in advance. __ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS w2...@arrl.net __ 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
