PSK31 newbie questions

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Hi all,

I decided to give PSK31 a try today for the first time. Still working
out a few kinks here and there and boy did I feel bad for the couple of
op's on the other end ;-) I made a contact in WA and OR on 30 watts so I
think it works OK. I spent yesterday getting everything setup and trying
to get a grasp on DM780. After playing around for awhile, I got
comfortable enough to try it out today.

During the setup though, I read on Elecraft's site and on the reflector
to set the line input level to obtain 4-7 ALC bars. In reading about
PSK31 elsewhere and including the HRD site, they all mention not to use
any ALC or Compression. My guess is that we are not actually using the
K3's ALC in this manner, but wondered if anyone could tell me what the
K3 is really doing?

Also, I've seen the power problems posted by some here in regards to
setting up digital modes this way and I'm not sure if I'm seeing it or
not. If I set my line input level for 5 ALC bars and set my power to 30
watts, I'm seeing peak readings around 30 watts with my LP100 meter. Is
that how it is supposed to work?

Sorry if these questions are mundane or have been covered elsewhere.
Like I said, I'm new to this and really didn't find this info out there.

Thanks in advance & 73,
Dave W8FGU

______________________________________________________________
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

[KK7P]

> ...I made a contact in WA and OR on 30 watts so I
> think it works OK. I spent yesterday getting everything setup and trying
> to get a grasp on DM780. After playing around for awhile, I got
> comfortable enough to try it out today.
>
> During the setup though, I read on Elecraft's site and on the reflector
> to set the line input level to obtain 4-7 ALC bars.

4 to 5 bars, I think.

> In reading about
> PSK31 elsewhere and including the HRD site, they all mention not to use
> any ALC or Compression. My guess is that we are not actually using the
> K3's ALC in this manner, but wondered if anyone could tell me what the
> K3 is really doing?

The K3 meter from 0 to 5 bars of "ALC" is really showing you the input
audio level. It is only after 5 bars of ALC that the mic audio system
begins to do any fast attack, slow decay gain control.

Traditional ALC indicators usually show compression occurring at RF,
with attendant distortion and splatter.  Hence, our very specific
instruction for the K3.

> ...If I set my line input level for 5 ALC bars and set my power to 30
> watts, I'm seeing peak readings around 30 watts with my LP100 meter. Is
> that how it is supposed to work?

Yes!

73,

Lyle KK7P
______________________________________________________________
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

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Thanks Lyle - I appreciate the reply.

73,
Dave W8FGU

Lyle Johnson wrote:

>> ...I made a contact in WA and OR on 30 watts so I
>> think it works OK. I spent yesterday getting everything setup and trying
>> to get a grasp on DM780. After playing around for awhile, I got
>> comfortable enough to try it out today.
>>
>> During the setup though, I read on Elecraft's site and on the reflector
>> to set the line input level to obtain 4-7 ALC bars.
>
> 4 to 5 bars, I think.
>
>> In reading about
>> PSK31 elsewhere and including the HRD site, they all mention not to use
>> any ALC or Compression. My guess is that we are not actually using the
>> K3's ALC in this manner, but wondered if anyone could tell me what the
>> K3 is really doing?
>
> The K3 meter from 0 to 5 bars of "ALC" is really showing you the input
> audio level. It is only after 5 bars of ALC that the mic audio system
> begins to do any fast attack, slow decay gain control.
>
> Traditional ALC indicators usually show compression occurring at RF,
> with attendant distortion and splatter.  Hence, our very specific
> instruction for the K3.
>
>> ...If I set my line input level for 5 ALC bars and set my power to 30
>> watts, I'm seeing peak readings around 30 watts with my LP100 meter. Is
>> that how it is supposed to work?
>
> Yes!
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html