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K3S Digital Mode Problems

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Mike VE3YF

K3S Digital Mode Problems

Sorry guys, I failed to mention everything is ok on the K3S when I press
the M4 button (Digital Modes) is ok and I can receive FT8 Transmissions,
it is when I press the tune button or a callsign on the FT8 Program that
causes the K3S etc to go out of Data A mode and into Voice (USB Mode).

--

*73 De Mike*
*VE3YF

_/http://www.ve3yf.com/_*

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

Mike,

> it is when I press the tune button or a callsign on the FT8 Program
> that causes the K3S etc to go out of Data A mode and into Voice (USB
> Mode).

If you are using DATA (DATA_A) mode in the K3/K3s, make sure you have
set MODE = DATA/PKT in WSJT-X File -> Settings -> Radio -> Mode. If
you set USB, WSJT-X will command the K3/K3S to change modes before it
switches into transmit.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2019-07-06 12:58 PM, Mike VE3YF wrote:
> Sorry guys, I failed to mention everything is ok on the K3S when I press
> the M4 button (Digital Modes) is ok and I can receive FT8 Transmissions,
> it is when I press the tune button or a callsign on the FT8 Program that
> causes the K3S etc to go out of Data A mode and into Voice (USB Mode).
>
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Mike VE3YF

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

Hi Joe:

Thanks for the info, that solved the problem of switching out of Data A
Mode into Voice, that part is working great. I have verified that I am
in Data A mode, and CMP control reads 0, Mic is reading Line 4, however
when I press the Tune button on WSJT-X the rig keys up, but no power
output. The rig's pwr is set for 27 watts, but no output on my external
Power Meter and if I change the Mic Control to Line 60 from Line 4 I get
power output but only to 3 bars max on the K3S ALC Meter and 27 watts on
the external meter.

FWIW, I am using WSJT-X Soundcard Input - Line (microHAM CODEC) , and
Soundcard Output - Headset Earphone (microHAM CODEC) and both are set to
Left.

And in Windows I am using Headset Earphone (microHAM CODEC) in the
Playback Panel, (Speakers is the Default device), and Line (microHAM
CODEC) in the Recording Panel as Default. Both Levels are set to 75

--

*73 De Mike*
*VE3YF

_/http://www.ve3yf.com/_*

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k4vd

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

MIC 4 seems a little low but the fact you are eventually getting some ALC
when you crank it up tells me that either WJST-X audio (labeled as Pwr) on
the right of the main screen or the Windows 10 audio (control panel ->
sound -> USB Audio CODEC Speakers (if using internal K3s sound card) is set
too low. Check each of these.

For reference, after some help here on the reflector, my setting s are
MIC=30, WSJT-X Pwr = -17.6 dB, Sound Playback = -17.8 dB. The numbers work
for me but you may have to adjust to get the 4+flash ALC.

73,
Kev N4TT

On Sat, Jul 6, 2019 at 2:05 PM Mike VE3YF <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Joe:
>
> Thanks for the info, that solved the problem of switching out of Data A
> Mode into Voice, that part is working great. I have verified that I am
> in Data A mode, and CMP control reads 0, Mic is reading Line 4, however
> when I press the Tune button on WSJT-X the rig keys up, but no power
> output. The rig's pwr is set for 27 watts, but no output on my external
> Power Meter and if I change the Mic Control to Line 60 from Line 4 I get
> power output but only to 3 bars max on the K3S ALC Meter and 27 watts on
> the external meter.
>
> FWIW, I am using WSJT-X Soundcard Input - Line (microHAM CODEC) , and
> Soundcard Output - Headset Earphone (microHAM CODEC) and both are set to
> Left.
>
> And in Windows I am using Headset Earphone (microHAM CODEC) in the
> Playback Panel, (Speakers is the Default device), and Line (microHAM
> CODEC) in the Recording Panel as Default. Both Levels are set to 75
>
> --
>
> *73 De Mike*
> *VE3YF
>
> _/http://www.ve3yf.com/_*
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Mike VE3YF

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

Hi Kevin:

Thanks for the info. The WSJT-X Pwr Slider is at the top, and in the
Windows Control Panel, there is no USB Audio Codec, however I am using a
Soundblaster Z Card and it's level is set at 75.

I know that after doing the Windows 10 Update it messed around with all
the sound stuff.

Under Playback Pane, I am left with Headset Earphone (Microham) Speakers
(Soundblaster) and SPDIF-Out (Soundblaster)

Under Recording Pane, I am left with Line (Microham), and What U hear
(Soundblaster)

Considering that WSJT-X Pwr is at the top (Full) and the Windows Audio
setting are all at 75, I really don't have much room to play with, which
is what concerns me.

--

*73 De Mike*
*VE3YF

_/http://www.ve3yf.com/_*

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

In reply to this post by Mike VE3YF

Mike,

Where is the "PWR" slider set in WSJT-X? The PWR slider is really the
audio output level and should be set to 100% *and left there* with the
K3/K3S. The audio input should be adjusted with the Line IN control
(Mic Gain encoder) for four to five bars of ALC and the power output
adjusted with the PWR encoder.

In general. my K3 is set to Line 20, the Windows Sound Mixer for
"Headset Earphone (microHAM CODEC)" is set to 70% and the TX pot
on MK II or DK II are set between 12:00 and 3:00 as needed to get
four bars of ALC on the K3/K3S with the fifth bar just flickering.

> and Line (microHAM CODEC) in the Recording Panel as Default. Both
> Levels are set to 75
Your Default Device (and Default Communications Device) in the Windows
Sound Control Panel -> Recording tab should be an input of the sound
card in your computer. "microHAM CODEC" should *NEVER* be used as a
default device for either Playback (transmit) or Recording (receive).

Please refer to the "Configuring microHAM CODEC" and "Setting Audio
Levels" section of the DK II Users Manual. Follow the "Setting Audio
Levels" procedure *exactly*. Do not proceed from one step to the next
until you obtain the results called for in the procedure.

Note: the K3/K3S overloads the mic gain control (uses it for both
mic and line levels). Line In can only be set when DATA_A or AFSK_A
is selected and MENU:MIC SEL=Line IN.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2019-07-06 2:03 PM, Mike VE3YF wrote:

Mike VE3YF

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

Hi Joe:

The PWR Slider in WSJT-X is at the top which is full power.

All Audio Levels in Windows 10 Control Panel are set at 75%.

The Line setting (Mic Gain) is now set at Line 60. That will give me 27w
output on the K3S when I have it set for that power level, however I am
not seeing 4 bars on the K3S ALC Meter, all I can get is 3 Bars with
basically every audio level cranked up in the K3S and Windows 10.

The TX Pot on the MK2 is set at 12:00, I have moved the TX Pot to about
14:30 position and with the K3S Line set at 20, I get 4 Bars steady and
the 5th flickering on the ALC Meter.

I have changed the Default device under the Recording Pane in the
Control Panel from Line (MicroHAM Codec) to What U Hear (Soundblaster as
you suggested) and in the Playback Pane I have left Speakers
(Soundblaster as the Default).

Basically I can see is I have changed the TX Audio Pot on the MK2 and it
has solved my problem. I am not sure why things got messed up up it
appears that things are back to what I would call normal. I will go
inside and redo the the levels. I am not sure if I did that when i went
from the K3 to the K3S, but will check it out.

Thanks very much Joe for taking the time to sort me out. You have a
great 4th of July weekend.

--

*73 De Mike*
*VE3YF

_/http://www.ve3yf.com/_*

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: K3S Digital Mode Problems

I would remove Microham and connect the USB cable directly from the radio to the computer. Then set the audio CODEC as found under the Setup menu of WSJT-X.

The SPKR level on the computer should be about 30%, the PWR slider on WSJT about 50% and the K3S Line Gain at 25 to 30. This should give 4 bars indicated on the ALC scale. The actual power is controlled by the PWR setting on the radio.

All the above values works here as it should.

Bob, K4TAX

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 6, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Mike VE3YF <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Joe:
>
> The PWR Slider in WSJT-X is at the top which is full power.
>
> All Audio Levels in Windows 10 Control Panel are set at 75%.
>
> The Line setting (Mic Gain) is now set at Line 60. That will give me 27w output on the K3S when I have it set for that power level, however I am not seeing 4 bars on the K3S ALC Meter, all I can get is 3 Bars with basically every audio level cranked up in the K3S and Windows 10.
>
> The TX Pot on the MK2 is set at 12:00, I have moved the TX Pot to about 14:30 position and with the K3S Line set at 20, I get 4 Bars steady and the 5th flickering on the ALC Meter.
>
> I have changed the Default device under the Recording Pane in the Control Panel from Line (MicroHAM Codec) to What U Hear (Soundblaster as you suggested) and in the Playback Pane I have left Speakers (Soundblaster as the Default).
>
> Basically I can see is I have changed the TX Audio Pot on the MK2 and it has solved my problem. I am not sure why things got messed up up it appears that things are back to what I would call normal. I will go inside and redo the the levels. I am not sure if I did that when i went from the K3 to the K3S, but will check it out.
>
> Thanks very much Joe for taking the time to sort me out. You have a great 4th of July weekend.
>
> --
>
> *73 De Mike*
> *VE3YF
>
> _/http://www.ve3yf.com/_*
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]