K3 and WSPR - configuration?

[K2QI]

Greetings fellow Elecrafters,

I've recently started playing with K1JT's WSPR program.  I do believe I have
the rig correctly configured as I use the current setup for all digital
modes.  I have the K3 set to DATA A mode.  Since I've never used WSPR before
though, when TXing, what are you supposed to hear? All I hear is what
appears to be a solid, unmodulated tone followed by my CW ID.  Does that
sound right to you?

One last question - in order to achieve an Rx noise level of 0 dB, I've been
using the RF gain control on the rig rather than PC volume control.  Is this
acceptable?

73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
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[The Smiths]

Yes, and NO....
 
First off you can also use SSB if you like to do this.. That may help you out with your filtering of the incoming signals. Remove your mic and use the rear mic input with the VOX on.  
Next, YES, you will only hear what sounds like a solid tone.  The modulation is very very slight and very very hard to hear otherwise.  So don't worry about that.  As soon as you look on-line you'll see that you're actually transmitting what you should be.  Just check to see who's receiving you.. It's rather exciting when you keep the rig below 5 watts, you'll be amazed at how far people will hear you.  Remember, this is all inside or below the noise level work you're doing.
 
When it comes to the receive side, NO NO NO, do NOT touch the RF gain!  You don't want to lower the gain on the input of the rig.  You want to make sure you have all the gain you can.. again, we're talking about noise level receiving here. You want to keep your passband filter open wide as well.  DON'T use the Dual PB filter if you're going to use Data mode for this operation.
To set up the receive levels use your K3 MONITOR level output to set the computer's input along with the Mic input on the computer to set the sound cards input.  You will probably want to keep the K3 at about Mon level 10, and then put the Mic "boost" setting ON with your computers sound card.  Then move the Mic fader input level to adjust the input level as close to 0dB as you can. If you're not using the rear "speaker" out, and using the Mon out instead, you can adjust the Volume on the front of the rig to hear things any level you want, while keeping the computers input audio unchanged.
MOVE AWAY from the WSPR freq. to do the setting.  You want to park your rig in an area where there's nothing but noise floor.. no sending from others, no extra noise.. And remember to keep your NB and NR OFF.. nothing should affect the input of the rig.  Let it do the listening.. don't worry, it hears through the noise, even if you can't
 
If you have other questions let me know.  I'm not expert, but I can certainly pretend to be one!
 

 

> Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:04:17 -0400
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and WSPR - configuration?
>
> Greetings fellow Elecrafters,
>
> I've recently started playing with K1JT's WSPR program. I do believe I have
> the rig correctly configured as I use the current setup for all digital
> modes. I have the K3 set to DATA A mode. Since I've never used WSPR before
> though, when TXing, what are you supposed to hear? All I hear is what
> appears to be a solid, unmodulated tone followed by my CW ID. Does that
> sound right to you?
>
> One last question - in order to achieve an Rx noise level of 0 dB, I've been
> using the RF gain control on the rig rather than PC volume control. Is this
> acceptable?
>
> 73 de James K2QI
> President UNARC/4U1UN
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

     
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[Rick Prather-2]

James,

As a veteran of one whole weekend on WSPR I'll share what I have learned.

First I would turn off the CW ID since it isn't necessary and clutters up the WSPR frequency.

Yes, all you will hear is what appears to be a solid tone while you are transmitting.

I wouldn't use the RF gain control to get the desired level, I use both the PC volume control and the K3's LIN OUT control to get in the 0db range.  I found that it fluctuates a bunch but still get good copy.

I also leaned that when they caution you about having your PC clock being set properly they aren't kidding.  Make sure it is within a second or two of exact time.

Very interesting mode and it's amazing what reception reports you will see on the WSPRnet.org site after an hour or so.

Rick
K6LE

On 10/28/2010, at 6:04 , James Sarte wrote:

> Greetings fellow Elecrafters,
>
> I've recently started playing with K1JT's WSPR program.  I do believe I have
> the rig correctly configured as I use the current setup for all digital
> modes.  I have the K3 set to DATA A mode.  Since I've never used WSPR before
> though, when TXing, what are you supposed to hear? All I hear is what
> appears to be a solid, unmodulated tone followed by my CW ID.  Does that
> sound right to you?
>
> One last question - in order to achieve an Rx noise level of 0 dB, I've been
> using the RF gain control on the rig rather than PC volume control.  Is this
> acceptable?
>
> 73 de James K2QI
> President UNARC/4U1UN

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[K2QI]

Thanks for the tip.  I adjusted my PC's line input setting and left the RF
gain at full.  So far so good, and according to the propagation map, I seem
to be doing OK for 5 watts.  Surprising that some DX stations are even
hearing me on 40m as my view towards the east is completely blocked by
buildings!

Mni tnx es vy 73
James K2QI

On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM, The Smiths <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> When it comes to the receive side, NO NO NO, do NOT touch the RF gain!  You
> don't want to lower the gain on the input of the rig.  You want to make sure
> you have all the gain you can.. again, we're talking about noise level
> receiving here. You want to keep your passband filter open wide as well.
> DON'T use the Dual PB filter if you're going to use Data mode for this
> operation.
>
> --
>

73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
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[K2QI]

Thanks for the reply Rick.  I adjusted my PC's line in to achieve something
close to 0 dB, although as you said it does fluctuate a bit.  In my case,
between -1 and 2 dB, but mostly staying at 0.  I decided to leave my K3's
line out level at 10 and not mess with that setting as I've found that the
K3 works superbly with DM780 and my soundcard.  Knowing me, if I start
adjusting too many things, I'll forget what I've done the next time I decide
to work one of the digital modes - best to keep as many changing variables
to a minimum.

Anyway, it appears everything is working FB.  The propagation map shows a
fair amount of stations hearing me and vice-versa on 40m.  Not bad for 5
watts, a screwdriver antenna on a balcony, and a very poor excuse for a
ground plane.
73 de James K2QI
On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 10:09 PM, Rick Prather <[hidden email]> wrote:

> James,
>
> As a veteran of one whole weekend on WSPR I'll share what I have learned.
>
> First I would turn off the CW ID since it isn't necessary and clutters up
> the WSPR frequency.
>
> Yes, all you will hear is what appears to be a solid tone while you are
> transmitting.
>
> I wouldn't use the RF gain control to get the desired level, I use both the
> PC volume control and the K3's LIN OUT control to get in the 0db range.  I
> found that it fluctuates a bunch but still get good copy.
>
> I also leaned that when they caution you about having your PC clock being
> set properly they aren't kidding.  Make sure it is within a second or two of
> exact time.
>
> Very interesting mode and it's amazing what reception reports you will see
> on the WSPRnet.org site after an hour or so.
>
> Rick
> K6LE
>
>
>
>

--
73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
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[The Smiths]

You think that's something try 30 meters and see what you get... you'll be amazed.  Oh, then lower it down to 1 watt...
 


Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:36:13 -0400
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 and WSPR - configuration?
From: [hidden email]
To: [hidden email]
CC: [hidden email]


Thanks for the tip.  I adjusted my PC's line input setting and left the RF gain at full.  So far so good, and according to the propagation map, I seem to be doing OK for 5 watts.  Surprising that some DX stations are even hearing me on 40m as my view towards the east is completely blocked by buildings!
 
Mni tnx es vy 73
James K2QI


On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM, The Smiths <[hidden email]> wrote:


 
When it comes to the receive side, NO NO NO, do NOT touch the RF gain!  You don't want to lower the gain on the input of the rig.  You want to make sure you have all the gain you can.. again, we're talking about noise level receiving here. You want to keep your passband filter open wide as well.  DON'T use the Dual PB filter if you're going to use Data mode for this operation.

--

73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
     
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[Edward R Cole]

I run WSPR on 500-KHz as WD2XSH/45.  I interfaced the computer audio
thru the K3 line-in and line-out jacks and control PTT with the
RS-232 connection.  This requires you to run DATA-A.  I set my
receive audio with the computer audio mixer window without any
changes to the K3.  It runs at about -1 to -2 dB.  For transmit level
use your ALC meter and adjust the computer audio mixer (wave output)
level for about 5-6 on ALC (press the TEST button on WSPR window for
setting up Tx levels).

Read the WSPR instruction manual for operating hints.  Use spots to
unlink your reception reports so others can view what you see.
That's it.

These same set ups will enable running any of the programs under
WSJT.  JT2 and JT4 have been used for making digital contacts on
HF.  JT-65 is used primarily for eme. FSK441 and JT6m for meteor
scatter (think 6m).  On 500-KHz I run 4.15w ERP (100w to the antenna)
and have been detected at 1366 miles.  500-KHz WSPR is spanning the Atlantic.
Check it out:
http://www.kl7uw.com/600m.htm
http://www.500kc.com/


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 144-800w, 432-100w, 1296-QRT*, 3400-winter?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================
*temp
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