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ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

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k4vd

ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten any bad
reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see for ALC.

The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first to a "TUNE"
command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the headphones but the
ALC meter responds oddly, almost like it is pulsating. I expected ALC to
pretty much be steady.

Next in the video is just clicking T/R in fldigi with no typing. It sounds
as expected in the headphones (a trilling sound). The ALC response looks
better but I can still see the pulsations in there. I expected to see 4
bars solid and the 5th flashing.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AaLaVu1r8UDv5LT9

Am I reading too much into this? Is this how your K3s responds?

I'm using the K3s sound card. Level in Windows is -14.7 dB. Level in fldigi
is -12.7 dB. The level control on the K3s is set for 18.

73,
Kev N4TT
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Nr4c

Re: ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

Reducing Windows output helps in most situations like this.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Jun 25, 2019, at 3:42 PM, Kevin, N4TT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten any bad
> reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see for ALC.
>
>
> The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first to a "TUNE"
> command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the headphones but the
> ALC meter responds oddly, almost like it is pulsating. I expected ALC to
> pretty much be steady.
>
> Next in the video is just clicking T/R in fldigi with no typing. It sounds
> as expected in the headphones (a trilling sound). The ALC response looks
> better but I can still see the pulsations in there. I expected to see 4
> bars solid and the 5th flashing.
>
> https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AaLaVu1r8UDv5LT9
>
> Am I reading too much into this? Is this how your K3s responds?
>
> I'm using the K3s sound card. Level in Windows is -14.7 dB. Level in fldigi
> is -12.7 dB. The level control on the K3s is set for 18.
>
> 73,
> Kev N4TT
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

In reply to this post by k4vd

The pulsating is the result of the refresh rate of the display and the
1500 Hz tone. Change the TUNE tone to a non- 500 Hz interval such as
1250 Hz. or 1700 HZ as such. Yes, in FLDIGI the TUNE tone is a single
frequency you have selected on the waterfall scale or in the box at the
bottom of the screen.

When you setup and adjust the audio levels, the radio mode must be DATA
A for PSK-31. The audio level for correct ALC indication should show 4
bars solid with the 5th bar flashing. The Elecraft radios DO NOT
operate like other brands in regards to the ALC indications. The
actual ALC in the Elecraft starts at and after the 5th bar on the ALC
scale. Before that the "audio level" is indicated.    Then set the PWR
knob on the radio for the power output you desire.   DO NOT adjust the
audio level to change power.

There are 3 places where audio level is controlled and each one needs to
be correct. First is the SPKR level out of the computer. This should
be about 30% {-18 dB} or so. Then output attenuation on the lower
right of FLDIGI which should be about -10 dB to -15 dB . Then the Line
Gain on the radio {adjusts by the MIC knob} to about 30.   These are
"ball park" numbers and should get you up and running with a clean
signal.   If any one or more is near minimum or near maximum, you need
to investigate further.

If needed I can send screen captures.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 6/25/2019 2:42 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:

> I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten any bad
> reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see for ALC.
>
>
> The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first to a "TUNE"
> command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the headphones but the
> ALC meter responds oddly, almost like it is pulsating. I expected ALC to
> pretty much be steady.
>
> Next in the video is just clicking T/R in fldigi with no typing. It sounds
> as expected in the headphones (a trilling sound). The ALC response looks
> better but I can still see the pulsations in there. I expected to see 4
> bars solid and the 5th flashing.
>
> https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AaLaVu1r8UDv5LT9
>
> Am I reading too much into this? Is this how your K3s responds?
>
> I'm using the K3s sound card. Level in Windows is -14.7 dB. Level in fldigi
> is -12.7 dB. The level control on the K3s is set for 18.
>
> 73,
> Kev N4TT
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

k4vd

Re: ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

Bob:

You nailed it again. 1500 Hz is where I normally set my audio so when I do
my quick test before operating this pulsating is what I see.

I went to 1700 Hz (and a few others) and ran the same tests. It was steady
as a rock in tune and exactly as expected in transmit (4+1 blinking).

Sometimes things looked real good. Sometimes they looked strange
(pulsating). I always felt there was something intermittent but now I know.
The issue is simply where I chose to test. I'd have never figured that out.

Thanks and 73!
Kev N4TT

On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 4:17 PM Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> The pulsating is the result of the refresh rate of the display and the
> 1500 Hz tone. Change the TUNE tone to a non- 500 Hz interval such as
> 1250 Hz. or 1700 HZ as such. Yes, in FLDIGI the TUNE tone is a single
> frequency you have selected on the waterfall scale or in the box at the
> bottom of the screen.
>
> When you setup and adjust the audio levels, the radio mode must be DATA
> A for PSK-31. The audio level for correct ALC indication should show 4
> bars solid with the 5th bar flashing. The Elecraft radios DO NOT
> operate like other brands in regards to the ALC indications. The
> actual ALC in the Elecraft starts at and after the 5th bar on the ALC
> scale. Before that the "audio level" is indicated. Then set the PWR
> knob on the radio for the power output you desire. DO NOT adjust the
> audio level to change power.
>
> There are 3 places where audio level is controlled and each one needs to
> be correct. First is the SPKR level out of the computer. This should
> be about 30% {-18 dB} or so. Then output attenuation on the lower
> right of FLDIGI which should be about -10 dB to -15 dB . Then the Line
> Gain on the radio {adjusts by the MIC knob} to about 30. These are
> "ball park" numbers and should get you up and running with a clean
> signal. If any one or more is near minimum or near maximum, you need
> to investigate further.
>
> If needed I can send screen captures.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 6/25/2019 2:42 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:
> > I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten any bad
> > reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see for ALC.
> >
> >
> > The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first to a
> "TUNE"
> > command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the headphones but
> the
> > ALC meter responds oddly, almost like it is pulsating. I expected ALC to
> > pretty much be steady.
> >
> > Next in the video is just clicking T/R in fldigi with no typing. It
> sounds
> > as expected in the headphones (a trilling sound). The ALC response looks
> > better but I can still see the pulsations in there. I expected to see 4
> > bars solid and the 5th flashing.
> >
> > https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AaLaVu1r8UDv5LT9
> >
> > Am I reading too much into this? Is this how your K3s responds?
> >
> > I'm using the K3s sound card. Level in Windows is -14.7 dB. Level in
> fldigi
> > is -12.7 dB. The level control on the K3s is set for 18.
> >
> > 73,
> > Kev N4TT
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

Kev et al:

The most complex issues have the most simple solutions. It's just
knowing where to hit it with the hammer.

Glad the non-issue is resolved and glad to assist.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 6/25/2019 3:32 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:

> Bob:
>
> You nailed it again. 1500 Hz is where I normally set my audio so when
> I do my quick test before operating this pulsating is what I see.
>
> I went to 1700 Hz (and a few others) and ran the same tests. It was
> steady as a rock in tune and exactly as expected in transmit (4+1
> blinking).
>
> Sometimes things looked real good. Sometimes they looked strange
> (pulsating). I always felt there was something intermittent but now I
> know. The issue is simply where I chose to test. I'd have never
> figured that out.
>
> Thanks and 73!
> Kev N4TT
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 4:17 PM Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> The pulsating is the result of the refresh rate of the display and
> the
> 1500 Hz tone. Change the TUNE tone to a non- 500 Hz interval such as
> 1250 Hz. or 1700 HZ as such. Yes, in FLDIGI the TUNE tone is a
> single
> frequency you have selected on the waterfall scale or in the box
> at the
> bottom of the screen.
>
> When you setup and adjust the audio levels, the radio mode must be
> DATA
> A for PSK-31. The audio level for correct ALC indication should
> show 4
> bars solid with the 5th bar flashing. The Elecraft radios DO NOT
> operate like other brands in regards to the ALC indications. The
> actual ALC in the Elecraft starts at and after the 5th bar on the ALC
> scale. Before that the "audio level" is indicated.    Then set
> the PWR
> knob on the radio for the power output you desire.   DO NOT adjust
> the
> audio level to change power.
>
> There are 3 places where audio level is controlled and each one
> needs to
> be correct. First is the SPKR level out of the computer. This should
> be about 30% {-18 dB} or so. Then output attenuation on the lower
> right of FLDIGI which should be about -10 dB to -15 dB . Then the
> Line
> Gain on the radio {adjusts by the MIC knob} to about 30. These are
> "ball park" numbers and should get you up and running with a clean
> signal.   If any one or more is near minimum or near maximum, you
> need
> to investigate further.
>
> If needed I can send screen captures.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 6/25/2019 2:42 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:
> > I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten
> any bad
> > reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see
> for ALC.
> >
> >
> > The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first
> to a "TUNE"
> > command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the
> headphones but the
> > ALC meter responds oddly, almost like it is pulsating. I
> expected ALC to
> > pretty much be steady.
> >
> > Next in the video is just clicking T/R in fldigi with no typing.
> It sounds
> > as expected in the headphones (a trilling sound). The ALC
> response looks
> > better but I can still see the pulsations in there. I expected
> to see 4
> > bars solid and the 5th flashing.
> >
> > https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AaLaVu1r8UDv5LT9
> >
> > Am I reading too much into this? Is this how your K3s responds?
> >
> > I'm using the K3s sound card. Level in Windows is -14.7 dB.
> Level in fldigi
> > is -12.7 dB. The level control on the K3s is set for 18.
> >
> > 73,
> > Kev N4TT
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>