K3 + fldigi problem...

[John Ragle]

Does anyone recognize the cause of the following problem?

1. First, the details of hardware/software:

     (a) WIN 7 (32 bit) Dell XPS, on-board sound and also Infrasonic
Quartet PCI card. Both sound cards are never active at the same time
(e.g. the on-board sound is shut off in the BIOS when the Infrasonic
card is being used.)
     (b) SignaLink USB
     (c) K3/100 & P3
     (d) FLDIGI 3.21.9 7/or DigiPan. FLDIGI is run using RigCat and the
K3.xml file.

     The SignaLink can be run off either sound source. The problem is
the same with either.
     BPSK31 (e.g.) can be run off either FLDIGI or DigiPan. The problem
only occurs with FLDIGI, not with DigiPan.

2. The problem:

     (a) Transmission initiates correctly with both FLDIGI and DigiPan.
     (b) When transmission is terminated with FLDIGI, the K3 is left in
"TX" mode -- that is, the red LED under the Power switch remains on,
although the SignaLink powers down properly and the PSK idle carrier is
no longer transmitted.
    (c) Pushing any front panel button on the K3 changes it over to RX mode.
    (d) When transmission is terminated with DigiPan, the K3 changes
over to RX mode properly.
    (e) In either case, during transmit, things are working OK -- one
can proceed with a QSO.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

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[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

I suspect you are generating PTT via radio commands with FLDIGI
but DigiPan does not support radio commands.  With PTT from
SignaLink (the built in "VOX") and FLDIGI you can generate a
"RACE" condition.  Either disable the "command PTT" in FLDIGI
or disable the "VOX" PTT in Signalink and you will probably
eliminate the problem.

In some cases it appears that the transceiver CPU sees the "PTT
OFF" command via serial control but says "I still see a hardware
PTT so I will keep transmitting" but the controller is busy when
the hardware PTT drops and the hardware PTT change gets "missed."
I believe (but have not been able to create the necessary timing)
that the "hang" occurs when the hardware PTT drops less than 10
msec after the "PTT OFF" command.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 5/7/2011 10:21 PM, John Ragle wrote:

> Does anyone recognize the cause of the following problem?
>
> 1. First, the details of hardware/software:
>
>       (a) WIN 7 (32 bit) Dell XPS, on-board sound and also Infrasonic
> Quartet PCI card. Both sound cards are never active at the same time
> (e.g. the on-board sound is shut off in the BIOS when the Infrasonic
> card is being used.)
>       (b) SignaLink USB
>       (c) K3/100&  P3
>       (d) FLDIGI 3.21.9 7/or DigiPan. FLDIGI is run using RigCat and the
> K3.xml file.
>
>       The SignaLink can be run off either sound source. The problem is
> the same with either.
>       BPSK31 (e.g.) can be run off either FLDIGI or DigiPan. The problem
> only occurs with FLDIGI, not with DigiPan.
>
> 2. The problem:
>
>       (a) Transmission initiates correctly with both FLDIGI and DigiPan.
>       (b) When transmission is terminated with FLDIGI, the K3 is left in
> "TX" mode -- that is, the red LED under the Power switch remains on,
> although the SignaLink powers down properly and the PSK idle carrier is
> no longer transmitted.
>      (c) Pushing any front panel button on the K3 changes it over to RX mode.
>      (d) When transmission is terminated with DigiPan, the K3 changes
> over to RX mode properly.
>      (e) In either case, during transmit, things are working OK -- one
> can proceed with a QSO.
>
> John Ragle -- W1ZI
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

Yes, if you're using rig control to read the VFO and such, it's better to use it for PTT control than to use the SignalLink's PTT.  

Leigh/WA5ZNU

[cbscholl]

I was experiencing the same issue and I solved it by unplugging the PTT line from the Signalink and allowed the software to key the radio and it works fine. I wonder if this is something that could be resolved with a software change, although the solution is simple enough. Barney K3LA

[John Ragle]

To the list:

     A few days back, I posted a detailed query under the above Subject
LIne. The gist of the problem was that the TX light on the K3 was
remaining on after the end of transmission.

     As usual, it was the nut that held the wheel that had come loose.

     I had both PTT (in FLDIGI) and VOX (on K3) active simultaneously.
This came about accidentally because (apparently) I "held" the "Band"
button rather than "Touching" it. This, of course, toggles the K3 VOX
function, and was not at all intentional on my part. I missed the
momentary VOX message on the K3 screen because my K3 is not directly in
front of my operating position.

     The chain PC <--> SignaLink <--> K3 functions normally if either
the PTT (in FLDIGI)  OR  the VOX (on K3) is active.Thanks for all the
responses to my original query.

John Ragle -- W1ZI


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