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K3 psk D splater

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ve3dvy

K3 psk D splater

Last evening I was trying another aspect of my K3 I often work PSK
using AFSK but I thought Id give it a try using PSK-D using Kcomm

I set everyting and it was decoding fine on the K3 display and in
Kcomm. There was a strong station that was calling CQ so i gave him
a call while having a good QSO he mentioned that I was splattering a
bit and I should not drive as hard. rather than explaining that I
wasnt using AFSK I just quickly said thanks Ill look into it and 73.
Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D I had the power
dialed to 25W so I certainly wasn.t running to much power, and just
to be sure that I was actually using PSK -d I had pulled the audio
line in/out from the K3. Am I missing something? I will be trying
again hooking my other rig up to another computer so that I can
monitor my output in Fldigi, just in case he was seeing issues at his
end.

David Moes
VE3DVY

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Guy, K2AV

Re: K3 psk D splater

The short answer is that splatter can be caused by just about anything
between your keyboard and his audio out.

Analyzing just one occurrence is nearly impossible. There is a lot of good
verbiage in the archives about keeping your signal "clean" and maintaining
a means for inspecting that yourself. The desired answer to the other
station's report is "I monitor that constantly, and my signal is clean
leaving."

What do you get when you monitor your own signal? Do you have something to
do that, and do you know how to use it to get correct readings on yourself?

Beyond that, even going through one amplifier means that IMD products will
be down 35 dB for a well functioning amplifier. When your signal is S3 or
S4, the IMD is way down. If the other guy was loud, then your primary
signal, even at 25 watts, is likely s9 or maybe even 20 over. In that case
even that -35 dB can sound like a local signal.

If he's doing what so many people seem to do, run his preamp constantly on,
RF gain max all the time, his RX, even a K3, can add 20 dB to the IMD on
your signal, ESPECIALLY if using SSB filters for RX.

But if you are not perfectly clear and measured about what you are
transmitting, that argument won't go anywhere.

Again, belaboring intentional, trick is to not have any questions about the
signal you are transmitting. Even better you have graphics on it, and can
send it to him in an email.

73, Guy.

On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 9:13 AM, <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Last evening I was trying another aspect of my K3 I often work PSK
> using AFSK but I thought Id give it a try using PSK-D using Kcomm
>
> I set everyting and it was decoding fine on the K3 display and in
> Kcomm. There was a strong station that was calling CQ so i gave him
> a call while having a good QSO he mentioned that I was splattering a
> bit and I should not drive as hard. rather than explaining that I
> wasnt using AFSK I just quickly said thanks Ill look into it and 73.
> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D I had the power
> dialed to 25W so I certainly wasn.t running to much power, and just
> to be sure that I was actually using PSK -d I had pulled the audio
> line in/out from the K3. Am I missing something? I will be trying
> again hooking my other rig up to another computer so that I can
> monitor my output in Fldigi, just in case he was seeing issues at his
> end.
>
>
> David Moes
> VE3DVY
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

On 5/30/2012 6:13 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D

Splatter is simply distortion. Anything in the audio chain can cause
splatter, from the computer to the audio section of the K3. Many
(most?) computer sound cards will create distortion if turned up too
high, and turning it up too high can also cause the input of the radio
to create distortion.

You can hook a scope to the output of the sound card and watch it for
clipping of the sine wave as you adjust the gain (on the Windows
PLAYBACK mixer). Turn the gain up until it you just begin to see
clipping, or until the signal stops getting stronger, then reduce the
gain until the voltage drops to one half of that value (that is, the
trace is half as tall). If you don't have a scope, LISTEN to the sound
card with headphones and make the same adjustment. What you're listening
for is any harshness that appears when you turn it up, and when you hear
it, reduce the gain until it sounds half as loud.

Now you're ready to adjust the Line Input gain of the K3 according to
the K3 manual.

73, Jim Brown K9YC.
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Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

Re: K3 psk D splater

On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 9:42 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On 5/30/2012 6:13 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D
>
> Splatter is simply distortion. Anything in the audio chain can cause
> splatter, from the computer to the audio section of the K3. Many
> (most?) computer sound cards will create distortion if turned up too
> high, and turning it up too high can also cause the input of the radio
> to create distortion.
>
> You can hook a scope to the output of the sound card and watch it for
> clipping of the sine wave as you adjust the gain (on the Windows
> PLAYBACK mixer). Turn the gain up until it you just begin to see
> clipping, or until the signal stops getting stronger, then reduce the
> gain until the voltage drops to one half of that value (that is, the
> trace is half as tall). If you don't have a scope, LISTEN to the sound
> card with headphones and make the same adjustment. What you're listening
> for is any harshness that appears when you turn it up, and when you hear
> it, reduce the gain until it sounds half as loud.
>
> Now you're ready to adjust the Line Input gain of the K3 according to
> the K3 manual.

Rick Prather-2

Re: K3 psk D splater

Right!

He said he was going to set up an outside monitor to look at his signal. Perhaps when that's set up it would be interesting to compare the Kcomm generated text with just the K3 Utility.

Don't know why it would make a difference but could be a starting place if it does.

Rick
K6LE

On 5/30/2012, at 9:52 , iain macdonnell - N6ML <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> You missed the point - he's not using an external audio feed to the
> K3. I've never used Kcomm, but if it operates in "PSK D" mode, it must
> be sending commands, with text, to the K3, and the K3 does all of the
> modulation.
>
> 73,
>
> ~iain / N6ML
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Rick WA6NHC

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

And you missed that Jim was talking about the RECEIVE station overdriving
the sound card for decoding. ;-)

Both sides need to have the correct settings before making judgments.

Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: iain macdonnell - N6ML

On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 9:42 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
wrote:

You missed the point - he's not using an external audio feed to the
K3. I've never used Kcomm, but if it operates in "PSK D" mode, it must
be sending commands, with text, to the K3, and the K3 does all of the
modulation.

73,

~iain / N6ML
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Ross Primrose N4RP

Re: K3 psk D splater

Maybe you ought to read Jim's post again. Sure looks like he's talking
about the sound card out going into the radio....

73, Ross N4RP

On 5/30/2012 1:52 PM, Rick Bates wrote:

> And you missed that Jim was talking about the RECEIVE station overdriving
> the sound card for decoding. ;-)
>
> Both sides need to have the correct settings before making judgments.
>
> Rick wa6nhc
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: iain macdonnell - N6ML
>
> On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 9:42 AM, Jim Brown<[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>> On 5/30/2012 6:13 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D
>> Splatter is simply distortion. Anything in the audio chain can cause
>> splatter, from the computer to the audio section of the K3. Many
>> (most?) computer sound cards will create distortion if turned up too
>> high, and turning it up too high can also cause the input of the radio
>> to create distortion.
>>
>> You can hook a scope to the output of the sound card and watch it for
>> clipping of the sine wave as you adjust the gain (on the Windows
>> PLAYBACK mixer). Turn the gain up until it you just begin to see
>> clipping, or until the signal stops getting stronger, then reduce the
>> gain until the voltage drops to one half of that value (that is, the
>> trace is half as tall). If you don't have a scope, LISTEN to the sound
>> card with headphones and make the same adjustment. What you're listening
>> for is any harshness that appears when you turn it up, and when you hear
>> it, reduce the gain until it sounds half as loud.
>>
>> Now you're ready to adjust the Line Input gain of the K3 according to
>> the K3 manual.
> You missed the point - he's not using an external audio feed to the
> K3. I've never used Kcomm, but if it operates in "PSK D" mode, it must
> be sending commands, with text, to the K3, and the K3 does all of the
> modulation.
>
> 73,
>
> ~iain / N6ML
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

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ve3dvy

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

Hi Jim Thanks good tips but Keep in mind I am using PSK-D where
I am sending serial data to the K3 and letting it do the modulation.
so there is no audio path from the PC into the K3. before I had
the K3 using the sound card was my only option and even now when
using AFSK to the K3 I dont believe I have an issue. It was just
when I tried to let the K3 handle the modulation that I got this
response and as others have pointed out it is very possible y that
there is someting at his end. I was just wondering though if there
was someting I can do to controll the IMD at the K3 when using PSK-D
as opposed to PSK-A

David Moes
VE3DVY

>
> --- Original message ---
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater
> From: Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Date: Wednesday, 30/05/2012 12:42 PM
>
> On 5/30/2012 6:13 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D
>
> Splatter is simply distortion. Anything in the audio chain can cause
> splatter, from the computer to the audio section of the K3. Many
> (most?) computer sound cards will create distortion if turned up too
> high, and turning it up too high can also cause the input of the radio
> to create distortion.
>
> You can hook a scope to the output of the sound card and watch it for
> clipping of the sine wave as you adjust the gain (on the Windows
> PLAYBACK mixer). Turn the gain up until it you just begin to see
> clipping, or until the signal stops getting stronger, then reduce the
> gain until the voltage drops to one half of that value (that is, the
> trace is half as tall). If you don't have a scope, LISTEN to the
> sound
> card with headphones and make the same adjustment. What you're
> listening
> for is any harshness that appears when you turn it up, and when you
> hear
> it, reduce the gain until it sounds half as loud.
>
> Now you're ready to adjust the Line Input gain of the K3 according to
> the K3 manual.
>
> 73, Jim Brown K9YC.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

ve3dvy

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

Just to add to my original question and this may come out when I test
it using the other radio How much power can you safely use with
PSK-D. I don't like to use much power to start with but in rare
occasion a little boost can help. just curios how much boost can I
make.

I will try the utility, Kcomm and keying with the paddles. but as
you say there should be no difference. I wont get to it tonight but
will try sometime in the next day or two. and report my findings.
My only worry is can I attenuate enough to run the K3 to near full
power and not swamp the Kenwood to much. probably a dummy load on
both.

David Moes
VE3DVY

On Wednesday 30/05/2012 at 1:49 pm, Rick Prather wrote:

> Right!
>
> He said he was going to set up an outside monitor to look at his
> signal. Perhaps when that's set up it would be interesting to compare
> the Kcomm generated text with just the K3 Utility.
>
> Don't know why it would make a difference but could be a starting
> place if it does.
>
> Rick
> K6LE
>
> On 5/30/2012, at 9:52 , iain macdonnell - N6ML <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> You missed the point - he's not using an external audio feed to the
>> K3. I've never used Kcomm, but if it operates in "PSK D" mode, it must
>> be sending commands, with text, to the K3, and the K3 does all of the
>> modulation.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ~iain / N6ML
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

vk4tux

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

I use PSK - D with Kcomm or K3 utility all the time for rtty .
Can you tell me what your indicated K3 voltage is on K3 screen?
What is the indicated voltage on 25w key (cw constant keyed) on K3 screen?
Do you have a Coilcraft DLFC15 filter in your rs232 line?

Adrian ... vk4tux

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Wednesday, 30 May 2012 11:13 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater

Last evening I was trying another aspect of my K3 I often work PSK
using AFSK but I thought Id give it a try using PSK-D using Kcomm

I set everyting and it was decoding fine on the K3 display and in
Kcomm. There was a strong station that was calling CQ so i gave him
a call while having a good QSO he mentioned that I was splattering a
bit and I should not drive as hard. rather than explaining that I
wasnt using AFSK I just quickly said thanks Ill look into it and 73.
Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D I had the power
dialed to 25W so I certainly wasn.t running to much power, and just to be
sure that I was actually using PSK -d I had pulled the audio
line in/out from the K3. Am I missing something? I will be trying
again hooking my other rig up to another computer so that I can monitor my
output in Fldigi, just in case he was seeing issues at his end.

David Moes
VE3DVY

______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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vk4tux

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

Yes replace the pwr supply cable to a shorter heavier version used with a
15v stiff supply.
100w key tx K3 screen indicated volt drop should not exceed 0.4v .Supply
cable needs to be short and thicker.
Fit a Coilcraft DLFC15 filter in your rs232 line.

Adrian ... vk4tux

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Thursday, 31 May 2012 5:18 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater

Hi Jim Thanks good tips but Keep in mind I am using PSK-D where
I am sending serial data to the K3 and letting it do the modulation.
so there is no audio path from the PC into the K3. before I had
the K3 using the sound card was my only option and even now when using AFSK
to the K3 I dont believe I have an issue. It was just when I tried to let
the K3 handle the modulation that I got this response and as others have
pointed out it is very possible y that
there is someting at his end. I was just wondering though if there
was someting I can do to controll the IMD at the K3 when using PSK-D as
opposed to PSK-A

David Moes
VE3DVY

>
> --- Original message ---
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater
> From: Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Date: Wednesday, 30/05/2012 12:42 PM
>
> On 5/30/2012 6:13 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D
>
> Splatter is simply distortion. Anything in the audio chain can cause
> splatter, from the computer to the audio section of the K3. Many
> (most?) computer sound cards will create distortion if turned up too
> high, and turning it up too high can also cause the input of the radio
> to create distortion.
>
> You can hook a scope to the output of the sound card and watch it for
> clipping of the sine wave as you adjust the gain (on the Windows
> PLAYBACK mixer). Turn the gain up until it you just begin to see
> clipping, or until the signal stops getting stronger, then reduce the
> gain until the voltage drops to one half of that value (that is, the
> trace is half as tall). If you don't have a scope, LISTEN to the
> sound card with headphones and make the same adjustment. What you're
> listening for is any harshness that appears when you turn it up, and
> when you hear it, reduce the gain until it sounds half as loud.
>
> Now you're ready to adjust the Line Input gain of the K3 according to
> the K3 manual.
>
> 73, Jim Brown K9YC.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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vk4tux

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

100w, no problem and clean including driving a good amp.
Sell the Kenwood and get another K3 that will handle it :)

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Thursday, 31 May 2012 5:26 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater

Just to add to my original question and this may come out when I test
it using the other radio How much power can you safely use with
PSK-D. I don't like to use much power to start with but in rare
occasion a little boost can help. just curios how much boost can I
make.

I will try the utility, Kcomm and keying with the paddles. but as
you say there should be no difference. I wont get to it tonight but
will try sometime in the next day or two. and report my findings.
My only worry is can I attenuate enough to run the K3 to near full
power and not swamp the Kenwood to much. probably a dummy load on
both.

David Moes
VE3DVY

On Wednesday 30/05/2012 at 1:49 pm, Rick Prather wrote:

> Right!
>
> He said he was going to set up an outside monitor to look at his
> signal. Perhaps when that's set up it would be interesting to compare
> the Kcomm generated text with just the K3 Utility.
>
> Don't know why it would make a difference but could be a starting
> place if it does.
>
> Rick
> K6LE
>
> On 5/30/2012, at 9:52 , iain macdonnell - N6ML <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> You missed the point - he's not using an external audio feed to the
>> K3. I've never used Kcomm, but if it operates in "PSK D" mode, it
>> must be sending commands, with text, to the K3, and the K3 does all
>> of the modulation.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ~iain / N6ML
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

vk4tux

K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by Rick WA6NHC

Why does the receive station have a soundcard? He/She does not have to have
one.
I dont use one to receive on rtty and send on fsk-D.
I can see dirty signals on the P3 waterfall, I dont need a PC, HRD or any
other PC program nor soundcard.
It has nothing to do with audio lines or feeds as there are none.
The action is as a ky shift keyer and power is the only adjustment.
Obviously many here have no idea what FSK-D is or how it works.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick Bates
Sent: Thursday, 31 May 2012 3:53 AM
To: 'iain macdonnell - N6ML'; [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater

And you missed that Jim was talking about the RECEIVE station overdriving
the sound card for decoding. ;-)

Both sides need to have the correct settings before making judgments.

Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: iain macdonnell - N6ML

On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 9:42 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> On 5/30/2012 6:13 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Question, What can cause splatter when using PSK-D
>
> Splatter is simply distortion. Anything in the audio chain can cause
> splatter, from the computer to the audio section of the K3. Many
> (most?) computer sound cards will create distortion if turned up too
> high, and turning it up too high can also cause the input of the radio
> to create distortion.
>
> You can hook a scope to the output of the sound card and watch it for
> clipping of the sine wave as you adjust the gain (on the Windows
> PLAYBACK mixer). Turn the gain up until it you just begin to see
> clipping, or until the signal stops getting stronger, then reduce the
> gain until the voltage drops to one half of that value (that is, the
> trace is half as tall). If you don't have a scope, LISTEN to the
> sound card with headphones and make the same adjustment. What you're
> listening for is any harshness that appears when you turn it up, and
> when you hear it, reduce the gain until it sounds half as loud.
>
> Now you're ready to adjust the Line Input gain of the K3 according to
> the K3 manual.

You missed the point - he's not using an external audio feed to the K3. I've
never used Kcomm, but if it operates in "PSK D" mode, it must be sending
commands, with text, to the K3, and the K3 does all of the modulation.

73,

~iain / N6ML
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by Rick WA6NHC

On 5/30/2012 10:52 AM, Rick Bates wrote:
> And you missed that Jim was talking about the RECEIVE station overdriving
> the sound card for decoding.;-)

No, Iain read my response correctly, but I didn't get the question. I
answered the wrong question -- was talking about the computer sound
card generating the digital signal.

73, Jim K9YC
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Nr4c

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

I'm sorry, David, but am confused about what you are doing.

You state that " I often work PSK using AFSK...". How do you do this? Are
you running RTTY with AFSK or FSK D? Or, maybe PSK 31 using PSK D or
soundcard DATA A?

My K3 has 4 data modes. FSK (Hardware shifted freq for RTTY) or AFSK which
uses a sound card. The other two are PSK D which is created entirely within
the K3 or it's sound card version DATA A.

Both of the "D" or direct modes can be used with paddles on the K3 to send
and receive while decoding is done in the K3. They can also be used with
the K3 Utility and some other software that sends text over the serial
cable, I believe.

Please explain

...bill nr4c

Subject: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater

Last evening I was trying another aspect of my K3 I often work PSK
using AFSK but I thought Id give it a try using PSK-D using Kcomm

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ve3dvy

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by vk4tux

Power is fine at the rig drops to 13.4V at 25W key down and 12.6V at
100W

no I do not have a filter on the serial port but RF in the shack is low
and I've never had any other issues with serial during transmit. and
while sending it had no issues with the text. he was just commenting
on many bars on the PSK signal.

On 5/30/2012 3:44 PM, Adrian wrote:
> I use PSK - D with Kcomm or K3 utility all the time for rtty .
> Can you tell me what your indicated K3 voltage is on K3 screen?
> What is the indicated voltage on 25w key (cw constant keyed) on K3 screen?
> Do you have a Coilcraft DLFC15 filter in your rs232 line?
>
>

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ve3dvy

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by vk4tux

On 5/30/2012 4:40 PM, Adrian wrote:
> Why does the receive station have a soundcard? He/She does not have to have
> one.
Only some of us are lucky enough to have a K3 that can decode PSK31 on
its own. the vast majority have to use a computer and sound card as
their only choice.

> I don’t use one to receive on rtty and send on fsk-D.
> I can see dirty signals on the P3 waterfall, I don’t need a PC, HRD or any
> other PC program nor soundcard.

Can you receive Olivia, MFSK, or any other modes without a sound card?
how about SSTV or DRM? I do them all.

> It has nothing to do with audio lines or feeds as there are none.
> The action is as a ky shift keyer and power is the only adjustment.
> Obviously many here have no idea what FSK-D is or how it works.
>
Most people use AFSK and PSK-A I have for years only very few rigs can
do PSK31 without a computer, so sorry for my ignorance on the topic of
PSK-D but one has to start somewhere. Ive only had a K3 for a month and
don't have a p3

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Lu Romero - W4LT

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

Im wondering two things:

- How much power output was the K3 in question operating PSK at? PSK is
really picky about transmit IMD. IMD increases with power output from any
rig, K3 being no exeption.

- Did the station that complained about "splatter" have his noise blanker
and/or preamp turned on? If so, the problem might be on the receive end of
the path.

Both issues beg to be investigated.

And yes, with direct PSK-D modulation, the soundcard output from the K3 is
moot, however, the soundcard input to the complaining station is not moot,
in fact, it is critical, as pointed out by K9YC.

Levels are....

-lu-w4lt-
K3#3192

--------------------

Message: 12
Date: Wed, 30 May 2012 15:17:30 -0400
From: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 psk D splater
To: <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Hi Jim Thanks good tips but Keep in mind I am using PSK-D where
I am sending serial data to the K3 and letting it do the modulation.
so there is no audio path from the PC into the K3. before I had
the K3 using the sound card was my only option and even now when
using AFSK to the K3 I dont believe I have an issue. It was just
when I tried to let the K3 handle the modulation that I got this
response and as others have pointed out it is very possible y that
there is someting at his end. I was just wondering though if there
was someting I can do to controll the IMD at the K3 when using PSK-D
as opposed to PSK-A

David Moes
VE3DVY

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vk4tux

Re: K3 psk D splater

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

I take it your running a typical 13.8v supply.

Running a stiff 15v supply cleans up the K3 TX IM3 dramatically.
The filter also keeps the key signals clean into the K3.

You say the guy was talking "bars on the psk signal".
I guess he may not know what he is talking about.
Next time you get a bad report, ask them to email a screenshot
of your signal or report how wide it is.

PSK-D is usually exceptionally clean, and the fix items I mentioned will ensure it stays that way.

Loud ("bars") does not mean wide. Why do you take notice of idiots like that
with stupid non-sense reports.

If you turn down your power he has less bars and now your signal is "clean". Is that how this guy relates?

You assumed he was right regarding your signal,
because you asked here regarding answers, and it
appears you are not interested in improving your
TX IM3 dismissing the proven fixes.

vk4tux

Re: K3 psk D splater

This post was updated on .

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

We are talking PSK-D nothing else, lets stay on topic.
This thread refers to you being reported as bad transmitted IM3 quality whilst transmitting FSK-D.

My comments regarding ;

> Why does the receive station have a soundcard? He/She does not have to have
> one

was in regard to another posters comment, why did you think this was directed at you, such that you needed to respond to it?

>Can you receive Olivia, MFSK, or any other modes without a sound card?
>how about SSTV or DRM? I do them all

Do you do them all in PSK-D? if not then you are not relevant with that comment.

>Most people use AFSK and PSK-A.............................

Again that's off topic. I would start a new thread if you want to talk afsk etc.

Our concern here is; why would a K3 put out a dirty PSK-D signal, Thats what I commented on.

Adrian ... vk4tux