Softrock

From Zerobeat

This section describes the use of a softrock 6.2 for use with the elecraft K3 as a panadapter. See http://www.softrockradio.org and the yahoo users group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/softrock40/

There is a version of SR40 receiver with the special IF for the K3 (32764 KHz crystal). This gives the SR40 a LO freq of 8191Khz or 24 Khz below the 8215 IF of the K3 which avoids reverse leakage of the SR40 local ocsillator. It is a $12 SDR and all you need is a buffer between K3 and the SR40.

A low cost buffer amplifier that can be used is the $25 Z10000 by clifton labaratories info at http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z10000_buffer_amp.htm This buffer runs between the K3's KXV3 output and the SR40 for isolation, both SR40 and Z10000 can be put into one enclosure.

The I and Q outputs of the SR40 are then connected to your soundcard. A regular soundcard will be capable of producing 48 Khz spectrum, a more fancy one like the $120 creative labs EMU 0202 USB soundcard is cabable of 192 Khz bandwidth display.

For software the rocky program can be used or also powerSDR allowing point and click frequency changes see http://www.wu2x.com/sdr.html