Look in any hamshack today and you’re gonna be hard pressed not to find a computer sharing space with the tranceiver. We them for, most importantly, buying equipment, but also for logging QSOs, looking up someone’s details from their callsign, looking for active DX spots…
OR, operating digitally! In this first episode of a series on operating digitally, we’ll begin by hooking up a SignaLink to an Elecraft KX3.
Okay, before we hook them up, there’s a few things you need to do first.
Open up the SignaLink. Inside, there are some jumper settings you need to set up based on your radio, or, like I have, you can buy a jumper module that specifically correlates to your radio and just plugs in.
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The jumper settings are in the instructions when you buy your SignaLink.
Once done, close it up.
On the KX3, There are a few menu settings you need to double check.
First. Set the Audio effects to off
If you use the jumper module plug, the Mic Bias can be set to on or off, but if you wire your jumpers yourself, You must set it to off.
Make sure the mic button is set to PTT or PTT UP DOWN
Okay, now, let’s hook up the box to the box.
Connect the Speaker on the SignaLink to the Phones on the KX3. Then, take the radio specific cable that came when you bought your SignaLink and connect Radio on the SignaLink to the mic jack on the KX3.
Then Connect the USB to your computer.
That’s it. You’re connected.
Next episode, we’ll connect the ICOM 7200 to the computer and get it’s settings correct. No need for the SignaLink on the 7200.
Thanks for watching and catch us next time on the DummyLoads.
Husband, father, and rescued by a Black Mouth Cur. I’m a Web guy, 3D Guy, Cinematographer, Photographer, Home Brewer of Beers, and sometime knitter, (yes, I said knitter).
Jeffery, I set up my KX3 and Signalink just like on your video.The Radio is in USB and FT-8. When I do a test transmit, the radio changes to data mode. When I stop the transmission, the radio stops transmitting as well as the Signalink box. However the KX3 transmit light remains on, and not receiving signals. It is probably something simple I missed. Any Ideas? Thanks and 73, Bob WB5WLZ
Hi JD
I figured I could get started with PSK 31 on Digipan 2.0, the most basic form of SDR, or so I thought. I purchased Bernie Lafreniere’s N6FN ‘s book, Nifty E-Z Guide to PSK31 Operation. No help
I have scoured You Tube videos, including those by you, JD K5HH , AKA “Dummy Loads”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWacWbBpn5g
https://dummyloads.com/connecting-the-kx3-to-a-computer-for-digital-operation-using-signalink/
I have done the following:
Jump wires set internally on the SignaLink for Elecraft KX3 per the diagram from SignaLink.
Hook up with SignaLink to computer (windows 10 Lenovo with Codec and Realtek sound cards) and KX3 using:
1.) USB type B output from SignaLink to computer input USB Type A
2.) Ethernet from SignaLink RADIO to KX3 MIC using stereo plug,
3.) KX3 PHONE plug to SignaLink SPKR output using a stereo plug both ends
AFX MD set to “off”
Mic Bias set to “off”
Ptt set to “UP.dn”
I downloaded Digipan 2.0 in the usual fashion and was presented with the typical screen. I entered my name, call sign and QTH. I tuned the Elecraft KX3 to 7.030.00. The best I can tune the Alex Loop is to SWR of 1.9 using the iPortable field antenna SWR analyzer. I improve the SWR using the KX3 autotuner to 1.1-1.
The Digipan receive windows promptly populate with gibberish, even when I disconnect the USB input into the computer. The KX3 also translates gibberish while I have it on the DATA PSK D sub-mode per page 18 of the KX3 manual.
When I click on CQ on Digipan, it repeats the CQ call and my name and QTH , (underlines all as it transmits) but the KX3 continues to be locked into transmission (red light) long after the message has been sent, with a high pitch sound from the computer, with no new information being transmitted. I have to click on T/R to stop the transmission which would otherwise continue.
CQ CQ CQ DE AF5LQ AF5LQ AF5LQ pse K
Karl Asheville NC
So what gives? I’m tearing my hair out. I would appreciate any insight you could offer.
Thanks, and 73’s
Karl