K3 Line IN ALC Data A mode

[Trevor Smithers]

Back in April there was a discussion about how to adjust the Line In control for correct
ALC indication when using Data A mode for psk (or in my case K1JT's WSPR),  and the
recommendation was set it so you get 4 bars of ALC, with possibly the 5th bar
occasionally flickering.

Having just received my Nifty manual I see that the recommendation is now to set the
Line In so that there is no ALC indication and having just looked at the Elecraft site I see
its also mentioned in the K3 operating tips section. When did this change take place - I
obviously missed it amongst all the beta/production releases - or am I confusing this with
something completely different.

73 to all
Trevor  G0KTN
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[Bob Cunnings NW8L]

The manual and the operating tip are out-dated. As of mcu version 1.75
things changed, from the release notes:

    Note on MIC gain setup:  To properly adjust MIC gain, first set
CMP to 0, then adjust
    MIC gain for about 5 bars on the ALC meter (it should not hit 6
bars during normal speech).
    Then set CMP for the desired compression amount.

A while back Lyle posted this message:

http://tinyurl.com/5j7m4j

Where he states:

[ Note: For PSK and other operation, you want to set things to the level
where the 5th bar just comes on -- or just doesn't.  If you have only 4
bars in digital modes, that's OK. With less than 4, you are under-
driving things and the ALC will kick in to bring up the power level to
the amount you requested.  If you try and trick the system and run with
*zero*  ALC bars in PSK31, the ALC has to work hard to give you your
requested power - or maybe it will think there is insufficient signal to
work with - and your Tx S/N may suffer.  So, *please* set it to 4 bars
in soundcard "digital" modes. ]

Bob NW8L

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 7:34 AM, Trevor Smithers <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Back in April there was a discussion about how to adjust the Line In control for correct
> ALC indication when using Data A mode for psk (or in my case K1JT's WSPR),  and the
> recommendation was set it so you get 4 bars of ALC, with possibly the 5th bar
> occasionally flickering.
>
> Having just received my Nifty manual I see that the recommendation is now to set the
> Line In so that there is no ALC indication and having just looked at the Elecraft site I see
> its also mentioned in the K3 operating tips section. When did this change take place - I
> obviously missed it amongst all the beta/production releases - or am I confusing this with
> something completely different.
>
> 73 to all
> Trevor  G0KTN

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[Trevor Smithers]

Thanks for the clarification Bob.
I was aware of Lyle's comments about setting ALC to 4 bars but got confused by the
contrary information in the operating tips and the Nifty manual.
Anyway, it appears I had the rig set right in the first place so I shall leave well alone.

73 to all
Trevor  G0KTN
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