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Low output using K3 & FLDigi

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Randy

Low output using K3 & FLDigi

Need some help. I have made several PSK, RTTY, MFSK and Domino contacts
using FLDigi but I am only able to get about 18 watts of output out of
the K3 even though the K3 is set to 100 watts. My set up is a K3,
MicroKeyerII and FLDigi(3.21.81). The K3 is set to "Data A", FLDigi is
configured using "HamLib" with "Rig" set to Elecraft K3/KX3 (Beta), Com
4, baud rate = 38400, 1 stopbits and Sideband set "Rig Mode". I tried
using "RigCat" after downloading the K3.xml but as soon as I click on
the "Initialize" button in Fldigi the Com port closes in Microham
router(ver. 8.4.6). Taking this one step further using "RigCat"....
FLDigi still sees the MKII because when I click on a micro in FlDigi the
MKII 'SC' LED lights up but doesn't key the K3.

I can achieve 100 watt out from the K3 using MKII and N1MM or WinWarbler
but that is setting the K3 in "FSK D" mode. Any suggestions on what I
am doing wrong with FLDigi?

Randy, AA8R
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Low output using K3 & FLDigi

Windows maintains a separate output level for *every program*. Open
Windows Volume Mixer, select the "Headset Earphone (microHAM CODEC)"
output, place fldigi into transmit (generating audio) and adjust the
slider marked fldigi-AA8R to drive the K3 to 4-5 bars of ALC.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 4/18/2014 10:21 AM, Randy wrote:

> Need some help. I have made several PSK, RTTY, MFSK and Domino contacts
> using FLDigi but I am only able to get about 18 watts of output out of
> the K3 even though the K3 is set to 100 watts. My set up is a K3,
> MicroKeyerII and FLDigi(3.21.81). The K3 is set to "Data A", FLDigi is
> configured using "HamLib" with "Rig" set to Elecraft K3/KX3 (Beta), Com
> 4, baud rate = 38400, 1 stopbits and Sideband set "Rig Mode". I tried
> using "RigCat" after downloading the K3.xml but as soon as I click on
> the "Initialize" button in Fldigi the Com port closes in Microham
> router(ver. 8.4.6). Taking this one step further using "RigCat"....
> FLDigi still sees the MKII because when I click on a micro in FlDigi the
> MKII 'SC' LED lights up but doesn't key the K3.
>
> I can achieve 100 watt out from the K3 using MKII and N1MM or WinWarbler
> but that is setting the K3 in "FSK D" mode. Any suggestions on what I
> am doing wrong with FLDigi?
>
> Randy, AA8R
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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>

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Low output using K3 & FLDigi

In reply to this post by Randy

Randy,

I suspect that you are not driving the audio sufficiently.
You would first set the K3 to DATA A mode. Connect the MicroKeyer II to
the K3 line in and line out jacks in the rear. Then consult the
MicroKeyer manual to be sure you have it configured for Line level
output (I believe the default is for microphone level).
You can do the setup in TX TEST mode so you don't have to be concerned
about putting a live signal on the air.

Adjust the computer soundcard slider for Line Out to about 2/3 of maximum.
Then while transmitting from Fldigi, adjust the K3 Line In level to
produce 4 bars solid on the ALC meter and the 5th bar flickering. You
may have to make minor adjustments to the computer Line out slider.
Note that the K3 audio setup differs from the usual advice seen in that
you *must* set up the audio correctly and control the power output with
the power knob. Attempting to control the power level by adjusting the
audio will result in "power hunting". The K3 "ALC" meter is more like a
"VU" meter combined with an ALC meter. The onset of ALC is when the 5th
bar is illuminated. Below that, it is simply an audio level meter.

The only thing RigCAT or HamLib does for transmit is the PTT operation,
and to use that, you must set the K3 menu for PTT-KEY to correspond with
the signal that is being activated for PTT by the software.
You can use VOX and avoid the PTT setup.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/18/2014 10:21 AM, Randy wrote:

> Need some help. I have made several PSK, RTTY, MFSK and Domino
> contacts using FLDigi but I am only able to get about 18 watts of
> output out of the K3 even though the K3 is set to 100 watts. My set
> up is a K3, MicroKeyerII and FLDigi(3.21.81). The K3 is set to "Data
> A", FLDigi is configured using "HamLib" with "Rig" set to Elecraft
> K3/KX3 (Beta), Com 4, baud rate = 38400, 1 stopbits and Sideband set
> "Rig Mode". I tried using "RigCat" after downloading the K3.xml but
> as soon as I click on the "Initialize" button in Fldigi the Com port
> closes in Microham router(ver. 8.4.6). Taking this one step further
> using "RigCat".... FLDigi still sees the MKII because when I click on
> a micro in FlDigi the MKII 'SC' LED lights up but doesn't key the K3.
>
> I can achieve 100 watt out from the K3 using MKII and N1MM or
> WinWarbler but that is setting the K3 in "FSK D" mode. Any
> suggestions on what I am doing wrong with FLDigi?

Reinaldo Leandro

Re: Low output using K3 & FLDigi

Randy, I had a similar situation.
After many tries and tests the problem was that the audio cables - although
expensive - were of bad quality.
Just using another set I was able to have the full output.
73

Reinaldo, YV5AM

On 4/18/2014 10:21 AM, Randy wrote:

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