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KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

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Ken Alexander-2

KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

I installed WSPR version 2.12_r3617 a few days ago and it does not
"appear" to be transmitting. The VOX on my KX3 activates and the TX LED
lights up, but no ALC bars. Switching between the ALC meter and the
SWR/Power meter I can see that I'm putting out 5 watts, but apparently
no audio based on the lack of an indication on the ALC meter. HOWEVER,
people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm not seeing any ALC
indication but I'm getting out.

- The audio interface is a Creative model SB1095 external USB soundcard.
- I'm using the latest version of WSJT-X successfully with the same setup.
- Mode: DATA A

This is weird. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is or isn't
happening? I'd appreciate any assistance!

73,

Ken Alexander
VE3HLS
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

Ken,

I am not going to guess at exactly where your problem may be - other
than to say it is somewhere in the audio being fed to your KX3.
You may be getting power out, but if you do not drive the audio to the 4
bars solid with the 5th bar flickering, your power output will not be
steady. That is just the way it works with the KX3 power control system.

The software application can cause more or less audio output, so it may
be that the audio level produced by WSJT-X is different than that
produced by WSPR 2.12.

There is one thing seldom mentioned about the KX3 - if you drive the
audio too hard (overload), it will appear as though you do not have
sufficient audio. Set the sliders for the soundcard output to about
half scale, and then start with the KX3 mic gain at a low level. Then
bring the MIC gain up until you see the proper amount of audio.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/18/2015 7:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:

> I installed WSPR version 2.12_r3617 a few days ago and it does not
> "appear" to be transmitting. The VOX on my KX3 activates and the TX
> LED lights up, but no ALC bars. Switching between the ALC meter and
> the SWR/Power meter I can see that I'm putting out 5 watts, but
> apparently no audio based on the lack of an indication on the ALC
> meter. HOWEVER, people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm
> not seeing any ALC indication but I'm getting out.
>
> - The audio interface is a Creative model SB1095 external USB soundcard.
> - I'm using the latest version of WSJT-X successfully with the same
> setup.
> - Mode: DATA A
>

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Ken Alexander-2

Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

In reply to this post by Ken Alexander-2

Thanks Guys!

That did it! WSJT-X has a transmit level control and WSPR doesn't. Turn
out the output level coming from WSPR is much higher than from WSJT-X.
I had to reduce the Mic Level down to 1 to get it to work.

It's bedtime now. Tomorrow, I'll reduce the level in Playback Devices
so I can level the Mic Level the same for both programs.

Lyle, maybe the firmware could be modified so that all of the ALC bars
flash if the transmitter is being overdriven? Just a thought. With no
bars showing the natural inclination is to dial up the level until you
see something, which turns out to be the opposite of what should be done.

Thanks again gents!

73 - Ken

On 2015-10-18 7:29 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:

> Be sure you are not overdriving the Tx audio input. Drop mic gain to
> 0, transmit, then slowly bring up the mic gain. Overdrive will cause
> the ALC indication to misbehave. This is on my list of DSP tasks when
> I get a roundtuit.
>
> Lyle KK7P
>
> On 10/18/15 4:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
>> I installed WSPR version 2.12_r3617 a few days ago and it does not
>> "appear" to be transmitting. The VOX on my KX3 activates and the TX
>> LED lights up, but no ALC bars. Switching between the ALC meter and
>> the SWR/Power meter I can see that I'm putting out 5 watts, but
>> apparently no audio based on the lack of an indication on the ALC
>> meter. HOWEVER, people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm
>> not seeing any ALC indication but I'm getting out.
>>
>> - The audio interface is a Creative model SB1095 external USB soundcard.
>> - I'm using the latest version of WSJT-X successfully with the same
>> setup.
>> - Mode: DATA A
>>
>> This is weird. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is or isn't
>> happening? I'd appreciate any assistance!
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Ken Alexander
>> VE3HLS
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
>

Thorpe, Jeffrey

Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

I think that's an awesome idea Lyle!
It took me a while to figure that one out, and it's the first thing (or one of them) that I tell someone when I find out the just got a KX3.

Jeff - kg7hdz

> On Oct 18, 2015, at 6:40 PM, Ken Alexander <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Thanks Guys!
>
> That did it! WSJT-X has a transmit level control and WSPR doesn't. Turn out the output level coming from WSPR is much higher than from WSJT-X. I had to reduce the Mic Level down to 1 to get it to work.
>
> It's bedtime now. Tomorrow, I'll reduce the level in Playback Devices so I can level the Mic Level the same for both programs.
>
> Lyle, maybe the firmware could be modified so that all of the ALC bars flash if the transmitter is being overdriven? Just a thought. With no bars showing the natural inclination is to dial up the level until you see something, which turns out to be the opposite of what should be done.
>
> Thanks again gents!
>
> 73 - Ken
>
>
>
>> On 2015-10-18 7:29 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:
>> Be sure you are not overdriving the Tx audio input. Drop mic gain to 0, transmit, then slowly bring up the mic gain. Overdrive will cause the ALC indication to misbehave. This is on my list of DSP tasks when I get a roundtuit.
>>
>> Lyle KK7P
>>
>>> On 10/18/15 4:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
>>> I installed WSPR version 2.12_r3617 a few days ago and it does not "appear" to be transmitting. The VOX on my KX3 activates and the TX LED lights up, but no ALC bars. Switching between the ALC meter and the SWR/Power meter I can see that I'm putting out 5 watts, but apparently no audio based on the lack of an indication on the ALC meter. HOWEVER, people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm not seeing any ALC indication but I'm getting out.
>>>
>>> - The audio interface is a Creative model SB1095 external USB soundcard.
>>> - I'm using the latest version of WSJT-X successfully with the same setup.
>>> - Mode: DATA A
>>>
>>> This is weird. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is or isn't happening? I'd appreciate any assistance!
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Ken Alexander
>>> VE3HLS
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Ken Alexander-2

Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

That's my good idea for this year. There won't be another one until 2016!

73 - Ken

On 2015-10-18 10:00 PM, Thorpe, Jeffrey wrote:

> I think that's an awesome idea Lyle!
> It took me a while to figure that one out, and it's the first thing (or one of them) that I tell someone when I find out the just got a KX3.
>
> Jeff - kg7hdz
>
>> On Oct 18, 2015, at 6:40 PM, Ken Alexander <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks Guys!
>>
>> That did it! WSJT-X has a transmit level control and WSPR doesn't. Turn out the output level coming from WSPR is much higher than from WSJT-X. I had to reduce the Mic Level down to 1 to get it to work.
>>
>> It's bedtime now. Tomorrow, I'll reduce the level in Playback Devices so I can level the Mic Level the same for both programs.
>>
>> Lyle, maybe the firmware could be modified so that all of the ALC bars flash if the transmitter is being overdriven? Just a thought. With no bars showing the natural inclination is to dial up the level until you see something, which turns out to be the opposite of what should be done.
>>
>> Thanks again gents!
>>
>> 73 - Ken
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 2015-10-18 7:29 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:
>>> Be sure you are not overdriving the Tx audio input. Drop mic gain to 0, transmit, then slowly bring up the mic gain. Overdrive will cause the ALC indication to misbehave. This is on my list of DSP tasks when I get a roundtuit.
>>>
>>> Lyle KK7P
>>>
>>>> On 10/18/15 4:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
>>>> I installed WSPR version 2.12_r3617 a few days ago and it does not "appear" to be transmitting. The VOX on my KX3 activates and the TX LED lights up, but no ALC bars. Switching between the ALC meter and the SWR/Power meter I can see that I'm putting out 5 watts, but apparently no audio based on the lack of an indication on the ALC meter. HOWEVER, people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm not seeing any ALC indication but I'm getting out.
>>>>
>>>> - The audio interface is a Creative model SB1095 external USB soundcard.
>>>> - I'm using the latest version of WSJT-X successfully with the same setup.
>>>> - Mode: DATA A
>>>>
>>>> This is weird. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is or isn't happening? I'd appreciate any assistance!
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>>
>>>> Ken Alexander
>>>> VE3HLS
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> 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]
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]

Thorpe, Jeffrey

Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

Whoops! Sorry! Ken's idea - not Lyle's. You get the credit Ken. It's a winner.

Jeff - kg7hdz

> On Oct 18, 2015, at 7:10 PM, Ken Alexander <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> That's my good idea for this year. There won't be another one until 2016!
>
> 73 - Ken
>
>
>> On 2015-10-18 10:00 PM, Thorpe, Jeffrey wrote:
>> I think that's an awesome idea Lyle!
>> It took me a while to figure that one out, and it's the first thing (or one of them) that I tell someone when I find out the just got a KX3.
>>
>> Jeff - kg7hdz
>>
>>> On Oct 18, 2015, at 6:40 PM, Ken Alexander <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks Guys!
>>>
>>> That did it! WSJT-X has a transmit level control and WSPR doesn't. Turn out the output level coming from WSPR is much higher than from WSJT-X. I had to reduce the Mic Level down to 1 to get it to work.
>>>
>>> It's bedtime now. Tomorrow, I'll reduce the level in Playback Devices so I can level the Mic Level the same for both programs.
>>>
>>> Lyle, maybe the firmware could be modified so that all of the ALC bars flash if the transmitter is being overdriven? Just a thought. With no bars showing the natural inclination is to dial up the level until you see something, which turns out to be the opposite of what should be done.
>>>
>>> Thanks again gents!
>>>
>>> 73 - Ken
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 2015-10-18 7:29 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:
>>>> Be sure you are not overdriving the Tx audio input. Drop mic gain to 0, transmit, then slowly bring up the mic gain. Overdrive will cause the ALC indication to misbehave. This is on my list of DSP tasks when I get a roundtuit.
>>>>
>>>> Lyle KK7P
>>>>
>>>>> On 10/18/15 4:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
>>>>> I installed WSPR version 2.12_r3617 a few days ago and it does not "appear" to be transmitting. The VOX on my KX3 activates and the TX LED lights up, but no ALC bars. Switching between the ALC meter and the SWR/Power meter I can see that I'm putting out 5 watts, but apparently no audio based on the lack of an indication on the ALC meter. HOWEVER, people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm not seeing any ALC indication but I'm getting out.
>>>>>
>>>>> - The audio interface is a Creative model SB1095 external USB soundcard.
>>>>> - I'm using the latest version of WSJT-X successfully with the same setup.
>>>>> - Mode: DATA A
>>>>>
>>>>> This is weird. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is or isn't happening? I'd appreciate any assistance!
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>>
>>>>> Ken Alexander
>>>>> VE3HLS
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>> 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]
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>> 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]
>

k6dgw

Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

In reply to this post by Ken Alexander-2

We should all have this "problem." :-)

73,

Fred K6DGW
- WACC Admin Dude
- Northern California Contest Club
- Sponsor: Worked All California Counties Award (WACC)
- www.nccc.cc/awards.html
On 10/18/2015 4:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:

> HOWEVER,
> people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm not seeing any ALC
> indication but I'm getting out.

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Ken Alexander-2

Re: [Bulk] Re: KX3: Weird behavior with WSPR

Ha ha! The problem was I was overdriving the KX3 so there was audio
going out with my signal (probably horribly distorted) but the ALC meter
didn't (couldn't) indicate that that's what was happening. Now I know
better.

73 - Ken

On 2015-10-18 11:24 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:

> We should all have this "problem." :-)
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - WACC Admin Dude
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - Sponsor: Worked All California Counties Award (WACC)
> - www.nccc.cc/awards.html
> On 10/18/2015 4:24 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
>
>> HOWEVER,
>> people are reporting receiving me on WSPRnet, so I'm not seeing any ALC
>> indication but I'm getting out.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>