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No ALC Bars with WSJT-X and FD8

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Philip Alley

No ALC Bars with WSJT-X and FD8

I had finally got my KX3 and MaxcBook Pro set up to operate FT8. I even gave a demo presentation at our club meeting this past Friday.

Yesterday I reassembled everything at my home shack and managed to log 8 FT8 contacts while familiarizing my self with the tutorials and software. After taking a break came back to the fun to find that I was not getting any ALC indication on my KX3. (Previously that had been fine and I had adjusted to the 4+ bars as so often recommended.)

I have tried everything including switching sound cards (Signal Link to my Sabrent USB-C dongle) with the same result.

Operating the radio in CW and SSB the bars show normally.

I do notice that when I hit the WSJT-X “Tune” button there is a brief burst of noise where the bars show but once the test tone comes one there are no bars. Same result when sending a CQ.

I have cranked all levels way up (sound car output, WSJT-X “Power” and KX3 MIC input) with no change.

Also rebooted the Mac and reselected the sound in and out several times.

I thought there might be some CAT interface dueling with MacLogger DX but I have made sure to keep the Logger from taking control of the rig.

I have actually been able to complete a couple of QSOs with this condition so something is getting out but I have no way of properly adjusting levels If I can’t see the bars.

Help! Please!

Phil
AA2EA
Louisville KY
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ve3ibw

Re: No ALC Bars with WSJT-X and FD8

Actually, sounds like your levels are too high now. When they are too
high, the KX3 will behave as you have indicated. Back off all the levels.

1. KX3 Mic gain for me is typically around 11-12.
2. KX3 AF gain is around 6-7.
3. KX3 Preamp off
- although still fussing if I want to turn it on - but then AF levels
will all need to be reset. Doing find without it at my qth
4. Sound card (USB Soundblaster): input about 45% of max; Output
about 30% of max.
- But, that is for my sound card with my computer (Raspberry Pi 3b).
5. WSJT-X: Power output at two notches down from maximum
- I have found this control can be a bit touchy to tune. Very carefully
move it (up or down) until you see some action on the KX3 ALC after you
have backed off all your audio levels. The increments can be
very small on
this power output slider on the right hand edge of WSJT-X.

I assume you will use a dummy load and turn down your power for your
testing. Even my dummy load can make JT or FT contacts close by. I
usually turn the power down to 0.1W when testing on the KX3.

I take it that you have PTT = Cat. I do too. The KX3 will happily key up
with a PTT cat command even without audio drive. If there is not enough
audio drive or too much audio drive, what you observe with the ALC
indicator is what I have observed too.

P.S. Consider setting up a KX3 macro to preset all levels on your KX3. If
you accidentally nudge something, then you can reset to a known state with
a press of one button. Use the KX3 Utility to set the macros. If you want
a starter macro, let me know and I will send.

regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

On Mon, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:39 AM, Philip Alley <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I had finally got my KX3 and MaxcBook Pro set up to operate FT8. I even
> gave a demo presentation at our club meeting this past Friday.
>
> Yesterday I reassembled everything at my home shack and managed to log 8
> FT8 contacts while familiarizing my self with the tutorials and software.
> After taking a break came back to the fun to find that I was not getting
> any ALC indication on my KX3. (Previously that had been fine and I had
> adjusted to the 4+ bars as so often recommended.)
>
> I have tried everything including switching sound cards (Signal Link to my
> Sabrent USB-C dongle) with the same result.
>
> Operating the radio in CW and SSB the bars show normally.
>
> I do notice that when I hit the WSJT-X “Tune” button there is a brief
> burst of noise where the bars show but once the test tone comes one there
> are no bars. Same result when sending a CQ.
>
> I have cranked all levels way up (sound car output, WSJT-X “Power” and KX3
> MIC input) with no change.
>
> Also rebooted the Mac and reselected the sound in and out several times.
>
> I thought there might be some CAT interface dueling with MacLogger DX but
> I have made sure to keep the Logger from taking control of the rig.
>
> I have actually been able to complete a couple of QSOs with this condition
> so something is getting out but I have no way of properly adjusting levels
> If I can’t see the bars.
>
> Help! Please!
>
> Phil
> AA2EA
> Louisville KY
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

Don Wilhelm

Re: No ALC Bars with WSJT-X and FD8

In reply to this post by Philip Alley

Phil,

Can you plug headphones or an audio amplifier (computer speakers) into
the soundcard to see if you are really getting the transmit tones from it.

If audio there, check your audio cable or use another known good one.

In the KX3 turn the MIC Gain down to a low level and bring it up higher
from there. Set the other audio level controls (soundcard and
application) to mid-range. If you actually have a large audio signal
into the KX3, the audio protection mechanism will kick in and shut down
the audio.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/19/2018 10:39 AM, Philip Alley wrote:

> I had finally got my KX3 and MaxcBook Pro set up to operate FT8. I even gave a demo presentation at our club meeting this past Friday.
>
> Yesterday I reassembled everything at my home shack and managed to log 8 FT8 contacts while familiarizing my self with the tutorials and software. After taking a break came back to the fun to find that I was not getting any ALC indication on my KX3. (Previously that had been fine and I had adjusted to the 4+ bars as so often recommended.)
>
> I have tried everything including switching sound cards (Signal Link to my Sabrent USB-C dongle) with the same result.
>
> Operating the radio in CW and SSB the bars show normally.
>
> I do notice that when I hit the WSJT-X “Tune” button there is a brief burst of noise where the bars show but once the test tone comes one there are no bars. Same result when sending a CQ.
>
> I have cranked all levels way up (sound car output, WSJT-X “Power” and KX3 MIC input) with no change.
>
> Also rebooted the Mac and reselected the sound in and out several times.
>
> I thought there might be some CAT interface dueling with MacLogger DX but I have made sure to keep the Logger from taking control of the rig.
>
> I have actually been able to complete a couple of QSOs with this condition so something is getting out but I have no way of properly adjusting levels If I can’t see the bars.
>

ve3ibw

Re: No ALC Bars with WSJT-X and FD8

In reply to this post by ve3ibw

I had requests from a few hams looking for my macros I have assigned to the
KX3's PF1 and PF2 buttons. Note: I used to toggle as well so I could have
four macros assigned between the two PF buttons. But I landed onr just two
at this time. Consequently I removed the toggle.

Here is my macro for *Digital* Operations (FT8 being the dominant mode I
use lately):
GT002;MG013;AG007;ML007;MD6;DT0;RG250;PA0;PC005;MN128;MP001;MN135;MP000;MN255;BW9999;SWH29;

Here is what it all means:

- AGC Time Constant (Fast) = GT002;
- Mic Gain (12) = MG012;
- AF Gain (7) = AG007;
- Monitor Level (7) = ML007;
- Mode (Data - USB is default) = MD6;
- Data Sub-Mode (Data A) = DT0; [has to be after MD6 and then it will
work]
- RF Gain (max) = RG250;
- Pre-amp off = PA0;
- Power output (5W) = PC005;
- AGC Mode On = MN128;MP001;
- Mic Bias off = MN135;MP000;
- Menu Exit = MN255;
- Bandwidth = BW9999; [important to place this one after the band and
mode have been selected]
- [Optional] VOX on = SWH29; [this is a toggle. You may have to hit the
VOX switch again or run the macro again.]

Here is what I use to go back to *SSB*:
SWH29;MD2;BW0300;GT004;MG045;AG010;ML000;PC010;MN128;MP001;MN129;MP000;MN135;MP016;MN255;

Here is what it means:

- [Optional] VOX toggle = SWH29; [this is a toggle. You may have to hit
the VOX switch again or run the macro again.]
- Mode (Data USB is default) = MD2;
- Bandwidth = BW0300; [important to place this one after the band and
mode have been selected]
- AGC Time Constant (Slow) = GT004;
- Mic Gain (45) = MG045;
- AF Gain (10) = AG010;
- Monitor Level (7) = ML000;
- Power output (10W) = PC010;
- AGC Mode On = MN128;MP001;
- AGC SPD (fast) = MN129;MP000;
- Mic Bias on = MN135;MP016;
- Menu Exit = MN255;

You will likely have to change the AF and Mic Gain values to those you
prefer.

regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

On Mon, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:58 AM, Brian Waterworth <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Actually, sounds like your levels are too high now. When they are too
> high, the KX3 will behave as you have indicated. Back off all the levels.
>
> 1. KX3 Mic gain for me is typically around 11-12.
> 2. KX3 AF gain is around 6-7.
> 3. KX3 Preamp off
> - although still fussing if I want to turn it on - but then AF levels
> will all need to be reset. Doing find without it at my qth
> 4. Sound card (USB Soundblaster): input about 45% of max; Output
> about 30% of max.
> - But, that is for my sound card with my computer (Raspberry Pi 3b).
> 5. WSJT-X: Power output at two notches down from maximum
> - I have found this control can be a bit touchy to tune. Very
> carefully move it (up or down) until you see some action on the KX3 ALC
> after you have backed off all your audio levels. The increments can be
> very small on this power output slider on the right hand edge of WSJT-X.
>
> I assume you will use a dummy load and turn down your power for your
> testing. Even my dummy load can make JT or FT contacts close by. I
> usually turn the power down to 0.1W when testing on the KX3.
>
> I take it that you have PTT = Cat. I do too. The KX3 will happily key up
> with a PTT cat command even without audio drive. If there is not enough
> audio drive or too much audio drive, what you observe with the ALC
> indicator is what I have observed too.
>
> P.S. Consider setting up a KX3 macro to preset all levels on your KX3.
> If you accidentally nudge something, then you can reset to a known state
> with a press of one button. Use the KX3 Utility to set the macros. If you
> want a starter macro, let me know and I will send.
>
> regards,
> Brian
> VE3IBW
>
> On Mon, Mar 19, 2018 at 10:39 AM, Philip Alley <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I had finally got my KX3 and MaxcBook Pro set up to operate FT8. I even
>> gave a demo presentation at our club meeting this past Friday.
>>
>> Yesterday I reassembled everything at my home shack and managed to log 8
>> FT8 contacts while familiarizing my self with the tutorials and software.
>> After taking a break came back to the fun to find that I was not getting
>> any ALC indication on my KX3. (Previously that had been fine and I had
>> adjusted to the 4+ bars as so often recommended.)
>>
>> I have tried everything including switching sound cards (Signal Link to
>> my Sabrent USB-C dongle) with the same result.
>>
>> Operating the radio in CW and SSB the bars show normally.
>>
>> I do notice that when I hit the WSJT-X “Tune” button there is a brief
>> burst of noise where the bars show but once the test tone comes one there
>> are no bars. Same result when sending a CQ.
>>
>> I have cranked all levels way up (sound car output, WSJT-X “Power” and
>> KX3 MIC input) with no change.
>>
>> Also rebooted the Mac and reselected the sound in and out several times.
>>
>> I thought there might be some CAT interface dueling with MacLogger DX
>> but I have made sure to keep the Logger from taking control of the rig.
>>
>> I have actually been able to complete a couple of QSOs with this
>> condition so something is getting out but I have no way of properly
>> adjusting levels If I can’t see the bars.
>>
>> Help! Please!
>>
>> Phil
>> AA2EA
>> Louisville KY
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
>
>

Regards,
Brian
VE3IBW