FM Demod Problem with K3 + K144XV

[Alan, K6IV]

I'm running MCU 4.03/DSP 2.60 and I noticed audio drop outs when listening to 2m FM.  The audio drop outs appear to occur on accented syllables and may coincide with the FM deviation peak.  I've transmitted to the K3 using a small handheld and noticed audio drop outs when speaking loudly into the transmitted audio.

Any ideas on how to fix this?  The receiver was barely useable last night when trying to listen to a local FM repeater net.

76s, K6IV
Alan

[Ken Kopp-3]

Could you have the squelch set too "tight"?  That
would result in the symptoms you describe and
isn't unique to the K3.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
     [hidden email]


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[Alan, K6IV]

Ken,

I tried adjusting the squelch, but it didn't seem to make any difference.

Wayne suggested that I contact Elecraft directly.  Mark, AD5SS, suggested to try [e-mail] for official elecraft support in the future.

Sorry to bother the mailing list with what is probably a one off problem.

73s,
Alan K6IV

[Joe Planisky]

Hi Alan,

When you do finally figure out the cause, I hope you'll post your  
findings to the list.  Almost no one has "one off" problems.  If it  
happened to you, chances are good that it has happened or will happen  
to someone else, and this email reflector is one of the first places  
most folks search for guidance.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Jun 28, 2010, at 2:24 PM, Alan, K6IV wrote:

>
> Ken,
>
> I tried adjusting the squelch, but it didn't seem to make any  
> difference.
>
> Wayne suggested that I contact Elecraft directly.  Mark, AD5SS,  
> suggested to
> try [hidden email] for official elecraft support in the  
> future.
>
> Sorry to bother the mailing list with what is probably a one off  
> problem.
>
> 73s,
> Alan K6IV
> --

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[Don Cunningham]

Alan,
This is certainly the first place one should ask a question such as yours.
Sometimes you learn how to fix something without having to trouble K3
support!!  If that's not the purpose of this reflector, there's far too much
noise to put up with on it, hi.  Ask away, and PLEASE share what you find as
many of us have the K144XV and are still learning about it.
73,
Don, WB5HAK

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[Mark Bayern]

> Wayne suggested that I contact Elecraft directly.  Mark, AD5SS, suggested to
> try [hidden email] for official elecraft support in the future.

I only suggested that because you said you replied to my suggestions
with, "Perhaps Elecraft will have a solutions." By the way, who is
'Wayne' that suggested you contact Elecraft?


Mark  AD5SS



On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 4:24 PM, Alan, K6IV <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Ken,
>
> I tried adjusting the squelch, but it didn't seem to make any difference.
>
> Wayne suggested that I contact Elecraft directly.  Mark, AD5SS, suggested to
> try [hidden email] for official elecraft support in the future.
>
> Sorry to bother the mailing list with what is probably a one off problem.
>
> 73s,
> Alan K6IV

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Mark,

I hadn't pasid attention to that thread, but most likely, "Wayne" is
Wayne Burdick, one of the two principles at Elecraft.  The other is Eric
Swartz.
Yes, only at Elecraft can you get a response from one of the owners of
the company.  It is one of those things that makes Elecraft the top
rated customer support companies dealing with Amateur Radio Equipment.

In fact, when Wayne answered, he was already "Elecraft", and he was
likely directing you to the support organization.

73,
Don W3FPR

Mark Bayern wrote:
>> Wayne suggested that I contact Elecraft directly.  Mark, AD5SS, suggested to
>> try [hidden email] for official elecraft support in the future.
>>    
>
> I only suggested that because you said you replied to my suggestions
> with, "Perhaps Elecraft will have a solutions." By the way, who is
> 'Wayne' that suggested you contact Elecraft?
>  
>
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[Alan, K6IV]

Yes, Wayne Burdick replied off-list - truly outstanding support!

I double checked my config and FM DEV is set to 5 kHz and I'm pretty sure the filters are set correctly: FM filter set to position 1, 13 kHz, 0 offset, 0 gain.

I can reproduce the issue on several repeaters and on simplex using a handheld.  Adjusting the main VFO up or down doesn't seem to resolve the issue.

When we track it down I'll be sure to post the results.  Thanks all for your help.

73s, K6IV
Alan

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Please DO post any resolutions.

I've not been happy with the way the squelch behaves with the 2 meter
module.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV




On 6/28/2010 4:24 PM, Alan, K6IV wrote:
> I tried adjusting the squelch, but it didn't seem to make any difference.
> 73s,
> Alan K6IV
>    
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[pd0psb]

The K3 seems on the narrow side for NFM, which is good for weak signals and inherent to its max. DSP bandwidth.

On loud (and wider) signals this *can* lead to clipping of high frequencies and the squelch reacting on this with a mute action. In Europe this is less of a problem since we switched to a 12,5kHz lower deviation raster long ago.

A solution could be an adjustable squelch tail/hysterises or an additional level-based squelch for such occasions.

73'
Paul
PD0PSB

73'
Paul
PD0PSB

[Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA]

CONTENTS DELETED

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[Alan, K6IV]

Problem solved.  It appears audio drop-outs occur on FM if the squelch knob is fully clockwise.  By backing off on the squelch a bit I'm able to copy fine.  However I'm not sure the behavior is entirely expected since my $150 Yaesu FM rig doesn't exhibit this type of behavior with the squelch fully closed.

Thanks for the tip from Paul, PD0PSB, and Vic at Elecraft in pointing me the right direction.

Hopefully others won't make the same error.

73s,
Alan K6IV