K3 line-input question

[K2QI]

Hello Elecrafters,

Quick question - what could have changed in this scenario?

Using K3 in DATA-A mode; audio from DM780 going into K3 via rear audio input
connector.  The K3's input was set to LINE IN in the main menu.  Volume from
the PC was set to 50%, and as such a PSK-31 signal was registering about 6
bars ALC with line input gain set to 14.

After a while of operating without issue, the waterfall turned into a solid
signal; as if the line audio output of the K3 had locked up.  I had to
switch modes on the K3 to get the waterfall back to normal.  After that,
without any change to the PC output volume or K3 mic gain, transmissions now
registered about 3 bars on the ALC meter.  I had to turn the mic gain up to
about 20-21 to reach the same level of input as before.  I checked the all
volume input and output settings, and they're the same as before.  I also
went through and checked the relevant FW settings and nothing had been
modified.

I'm using FW 3.24(D), which I believe was only issued to a very few number
of testers so I can't go into FW details.  I've CC'd Lyle in case this may
be FW issue.  However, I'd just like to find out from the group if anything
similar has occurred to others or been reported.
All suggestions welcome.
--
73 de James K2QI
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[Julian, G4ILO]

K2QI wrote

Hello Elecrafters,

Quick question - what could have changed in this scenario?

Using K3 in DATA-A mode; audio from DM780 going into K3 via rear audio input
connector.  The K3's input was set to LINE IN in the main menu.  Volume from
the PC was set to 50%, and as such a PSK-31 signal was registering about 6
bars ALC with line input gain set to 14.

After a while of operating without issue, the waterfall turned into a solid
signal; as if the line audio output of the K3 had locked up.  I had to
switch modes on the K3 to get the waterfall back to normal.  After that,
without any change to the PC output volume or K3 mic gain, transmissions now
registered about 3 bars on the ALC meter.  I had to turn the mic gain up to
about 20-21 to reach the same level of input as before.  I checked the all
volume input and output settings, and they're the same as before.  I also
went through and checked the relevant FW settings and nothing had been
modified.

I'm using FW 3.24(D), which I believe was only issued to a very few number
of testers so I can't go into FW details.  I've CC'd Lyle in case this may
be FW issue.  However, I'd just like to find out from the group if anything
similar has occurred to others or been reported.
All suggestions welcome.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the waterfall turned into a solid signal". Did it go black, i.e. dead? One thing that springs to mind is an unreliable connection. Try waggling the cables around. I can't think of a software reason for what happened.

By the way you don't need 6 bars on the ALC indication. 4 to 5 is sufficient. Not that I imagine it has any bearing on the reported problem.

[K2QI]

No, it didn't go black... it went the polar opposite; as if I was looking at
a single 3khz wide signal!

I had to switch modes, then back to DATA-A for it the waterfall to go back
to normal.

Weird huh?

Also, not so much the level of operating ALC that I'm worrying about, but
why the change in how much line-gain is necessary now to achieve the same
results.  That's what's bugging me.

Cheers,
James K2QI



On Tue, Aug 4, 2009 at 3:26 PM, Julian, G4ILO <[hidden email]>wrote:

>
>
> I'm not sure what you mean by "the waterfall turned into a solid signal".
> Did it go black, i.e. dead? One thing that springs to mind is an unreliable
> connection. Try waggling the cables around. I can't think of a software
> reason for what happened.
>
> By the way you don't need 6 bars on the ALC indication. 4 to 5 is
> sufficient. Not that I imagine it has any bearing on the reported problem.
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://n2.nabble.com/K3-line-input-question-tp3384736p3386703.html
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--
73 de James K2QI
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[K2QI]

Well, got home and what do you know.  All is well again.  I fiddled around
with the mic selector in the firmware, switching it from line-in to FPL then
back to line-in and everything went back to the way it was last night.

<scratches head>

Okey dokey. I can live with that.

73 de James
--
73 de James K2QI
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