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SignaLink and K3

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Bill Turner-2

SignaLink and K3

I am installing a new SignaLink USB device and have it all working
fine except for low output from the K3. I can only get about 10 watts
out even with the Windows volume controls set as the factory suggests,
and with fldigi output set to maximum. The K3 line in gain is also set
to max.

I know there is a jumper in the SignaLink USB to increase drive but
before I do that I'm wondering if what I'm seeing is normal. The
SignaLink USB manual says the default drive setting is OK for most
radios, so I'm wondering if the K3 is an exception or if I should keep
fiddling with the configuration.

All comments welcome.

73, Bill W6WRT
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: SignaLink and K3

Bill,

If you are using the MIC input on the K3, then that statement in the
SignaLink document is correct, but if you likely have the SignaLink
connected to the K3 LINE IN jack, and the level is too low. Line level
is about 5 to 10 times the audio voltage of mic level. Sooo --

Set that jumper for high level audio, then:
Put the K3 in TX TEST and set your software application to transmit.
Adjust the audio level controls and possibly the K3 LINE IN level so you
have 4 bars displayed on the K3 ALC meter with the 5th bar blinking.
Leave the audio controls set that way.
Adjust the desired power output level with the K3 power control - ignore
the advice usually given on the internet and interface help files to set
power at max and adjust the audio to achieve the desired power - that
will not work well with the K3 (or the K2 and KX3 either).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/13/2014 5:47 PM, Bill Turner wrote:

> I am installing a new SignaLink USB device and have it all working
> fine except for low output from the K3. I can only get about 10 watts
> out even with the Windows volume controls set as the factory suggests,
> and with fldigi output set to maximum. The K3 line in gain is also set
> to max.
>
> I know there is a jumper in the SignaLink USB to increase drive but
> before I do that I'm wondering if what I'm seeing is normal. The
> SignaLink USB manual says the default drive setting is OK for most
> radios, so I'm wondering if the K3 is an exception or if I should keep
> fiddling with the configuration.
>
>

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Rick WA6NHC

Re: SignaLink and K3

I found a similar situation. My solution was to max the transmit audio (driver) from the SLUSB, the SLUSB RX/TX knobs to noon (room for fine tuning when needed) then adjust the line in level as described by Don. That simplified setup, because there are three controls that essentially do the same time (driver, knob and Lin IN/Mic).

You may find that there are some TX audio artifacts (a weak tone in the neighborhood of 2300 Hz), because of poor power supply filtering in the SLUSB. It is noticed in mine when I run remote (voice through the SLUSB), but its VERY low level. It is fixable, I can get you a link to more data if you wish. The simple mods also reduce the audio noise floor for weak signal work (one of my next projects).

I further found that running LIN OUT at 001 then adjusting the SLUSB driver to the LEAST amount of usable audio for decodes showed consistently better decodes than beating it to death (or is that deaf) with way too much audio drive. You'll have to play with it to find your station sweet spot. Least is best.

You do NOT want the soundcard AGC to swamp (block) from strong signals for modes like PSK (making the weaker stations not decodable). So you have to find the least audio, but give adequate drive to avoid this.

Hint: When watching the waterfalls for PSK, if you see 'shadows' on the signal of a station, either they are overdriving on transmit (common issue), or you are overdriving your sound card.

73 es Merry Christmas,
Rick, WA6NHC

iPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)

> On Dec 13, 2014, at 3:04 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Bill,
>
> If you are using the MIC input on the K3, then that statement in the SignaLink document is correct, but if you likely have the SignaLink connected to the K3 LINE IN jack, and the level is too low. Line level is about 5 to 10 times the audio voltage of mic level. Sooo --
>
> Set that jumper for high level audio, then:
> Put the K3 in TX TEST and set your software application to transmit.
> Adjust the audio level controls and possibly the K3 LINE IN level so you have 4 bars displayed on the K3 ALC meter with the 5th bar blinking. Leave the audio controls set that way.
> Adjust the desired power output level with the K3 power control - ignore the advice usually given on the internet and interface help files to set power at max and adjust the audio to achieve the desired power - that will not work well with the K3 (or the K2 and KX3 either).
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 12/13/2014 5:47 PM, Bill Turner wrote:
>> I am installing a new SignaLink USB device and have it all working
>> fine except for low output from the K3. I can only get about 10 watts
>> out even with the Windows volume controls set as the factory suggests,
>> and with fldigi output set to maximum. The K3 line in gain is also set
>> to max.
>>
>> I know there is a jumper in the SignaLink USB to increase drive but
>> before I do that I'm wondering if what I'm seeing is normal. The
>> SignaLink USB manual says the default drive setting is OK for most
>> radios, so I'm wondering if the K3 is an exception or if I should keep
>> fiddling with the configuration.
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
> 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]