Two issues with data transmission

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Two issues with data transmission

cbscholl
I recently tried to set up my K3 for data usage and two problems arose. I am using a signalink interface. I have tried to use both FLDIGI and HRD and the problems are present in both cases.
First there appears to be audio coming out of the Signalink but no rf output and I am hearing nothing from the monitor out.
The second problem is that once the transmitter is keyed, by both the program through the computer and the output from the Signalink and the trsanmission is stopped the transmitter hangs on transmit.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Barney K3LA
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Re: Two issues with data transmission

Richard Ferch
Barney,

Re the first problem, I suspect your LINE IN level may be sitting on
zero. With the radio in DATA A or AFSK A mode, make sure your MIC SEL is
set to LINE IN (I believe this is the default in DATA A and AFSK A
modes, but if not you can set it using the MENU button). Now turning the
MIC gain control will adjust the LINE IN level. You should set the meter
to display ALC and then adjust the LINE IN level (and/or the SignaLink's
output level) until you see 4-5 bars of "ALC" reading on the K3. Use the
PWR control to select the desired output power. In modes that require
high linearity, like PSK, stay below one-half the radio's power rating
(i.e. between 12 and 50 watts or below 5 watts) to avoid clipping on
momentary peaks.

Re the second problem, is your SignaLink connected to the radio's PTT
input? If it is, you should make sure that your software is *not*
configured to control PTT. In particular, make sure that it is not using
software commands for PTT. Also, you should turn the radio's VOX off.
The SignaLink has its own VOX circuit that controls PTT for you. There
is no need for an additional PTT method, and in fact using two methods
simultaneously can cause this problem. The K3 appears to be vulnerable
to a "race condition", in which sending a software RX command
simultaneously with switching hardware PTT (or the radio's VOX) can
leave the radio in transmit.

73,
Rich VE3KI

K3LA wrote:

> I recently tried to set up my K3 for data usage and two problems arose. I am
> using a signalink interface. I have tried to use both FLDIGI and HRD and the
> problems are present in both cases.
> First there appears to be audio coming out of the Signalink but no rf output
> and I am hearing nothing from the monitor out.
> The second problem is that once the transmitter is keyed, by both the
> program through the computer and the output from the Signalink and the
> trsanmission is stopped the transmitter hangs on transmit.
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Re: Two issues with data transmission

ik1bxn
Just to add a suggestion more to what Rick told you that's perfect, maybe it's not your case but did you place Signalink internal jumpers in the proper position respect the cabling you are using to k3 ? I told this because when I moved from IC 756 to k3 I risked to forget correcting the jumpers from 756 map to k3.73 de Giorgio
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RE: Two issues with data transmission

cbscholl
In reply to this post by Richard Ferch
 Thanks for the suggestions. I figured out the PTT issue by disconnecting the PTT from the signalink. Then allowing the software to control the PTT and it now operates properly and does not hang.
 
Now to tackle the audio problem. I have checked that it in is Data A and that it is set to line input, I have the monitor on and still nothing no matter where the levels are set. I see no output and hear nothing from the monitoring. If it was not receiving I would wonder if I had the line in and line out cables mixed up. My next plan is to check the cable from the signalink and make sure that there is audio coming out of the cable. Brney
 
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Two issues with data transmission
From: "Richard Ferch [via Elecraft]"
<[hidden email]>
Date: Sun, April 24, 2011 11:10 am
To: cbscholl <[hidden email]>

Barney,

Re the first problem, I suspect your LINE IN level may be sitting on
zero. With the radio in DATA A or AFSK A mode, make sure your MIC SEL is
set to LINE IN (I believe this is the default in DATA A and AFSK A
modes, but if not you can set it using the MENU button). Now turning the
MIC gain control will adjust the LINE IN level. You should set the meter
to display ALC and then adjust the LINE IN level (and/or the SignaLink's
output level) until you see 4-5 bars of "ALC" reading on the K3. Use the
PWR control to select the desired output power. In modes that require
high linearity, like PSK, stay below one-half the radio's power rating
(i.e. between 12 and 50 watts or below 5 watts) to avoid clipping on
momentary peaks.

Re the second problem, is your SignaLink connected to the radio's PTT
input? If it is, you should make sure that your software is *not*
configured to control PTT. In particular, make sure that it is not using
software commands for PTT. Also, you should turn the radio's VOX off.
The SignaLink has its own VOX circuit that controls PTT for you. There
is no need for an additional PTT method, and in fact using two methods
simultaneously can cause this problem. The K3 appears to be vulnerable
to a "race condition", in which sending a software RX command
simultaneously with switching hardware PTT (or the radio's VOX) can
leave the radio in transmit.

73,
Rich VE3KI

K3LA wrote:

> I recently tried to set up my K3 for data usage and two problems arose. I am
> using a signalink interface. I have tried to use both FLDIGI and HRD and the
> problems are present in both cases.
> First there appears to be audio coming out of the Signalink but no rf output
> and I am hearing nothing from the monitor out.
> The second problem is that once the transmitter is keyed, by both the
> program through the computer and the output from the Signalink and the
> trsanmission is stopped the transmitter hangs on transmit.
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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RE: Two issues with data transmission

cbscholl
In reply to this post by ik1bxn
 I have not, but I purcahsed the rig, signalink and cable used from someone whom I assumed was using the combination together. I will check as soon as I find the allen wrench to open the case and find some more time to sit down with it. Although I did resolve the PTT hanging issue by unplugging the signalink PTT line and keying directly from the software. Barney
 
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Two issues with data transmission
From: "ik1bxn [via Elecraft]"
<[hidden email]>
Date: Sun, April 24, 2011 1:50 pm
To: cbscholl <[hidden email]>

Just to add a suggestion more to what Rick told you that's perfect, maybe it's not your case but did you place Signalink internal jumpers in the proper position respect the cabling you are using to k3 ? I told this because when I moved from IC 756 to k3 I risked to forget correcting the jumpers from 756 map to k3.73 de Giorgio


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RE: Two issues with data transmission

cbscholl
Thanks for all your suggestions. As per one suggestion I unplugged the PTT from the Signalink and let the program key the radio and that solved the problem of the transmitter hanging.
As to output, I checked the cable from the Signalink and I was getting audio from it. I plugged back in and turned up the TX level on the Signalink all the way all the way and out put appeared. I ended up turning it down quite a bit but it is working now. I am not sure whether the TX on the Signalink had been turned down too far or the connector was not plugged in all the way, but I am now functioning. I appreciate all of the responses. 73 Barney K3LA