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Elecraft KX3 PC / soundcard interface

Moleculo

Ham Radio Nerd
Apr 14, 2002
9,199
1,685
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The Elecraft KX3 is a bit unique for interfacing with a transceiver because it has both mic/audio connections as well as an I/Q connection for external panadapters. Tests by early adopters have shown that it's a bad idea to connect the inputs/output directly between the rig and PC as ground hum and noise results. You can homebrew your own connections with isolation transformers to resolve this.

If you happen to have a Rigexpert Standard, the basic interface diagram is now available. This cable not only handles soundcard interface, but rig control / programming, as well. One thing that this diagram omits is the 2.5 mm I/Q connection. To add that, connect a cable to Pin 6, which is the sub receiver output and adjust the gain with the Input 2 knob on the front:

cable-elecraft-004.gif
 

One small issue with what I posted above: The I/Q output is stereo, so the input to the sound card must also be stereo. While the interface above will work for standard digital modes, it won't work for the I/Q interface.
 

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