Posted by
Don Wilhelm-4 on
Jan 12, 2009; 12:49pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Front-Rear-MIC-Input-Level-tp2141584p2145458.html
Werner, Merv,
I cannot get more than 7 bars of ALC and any mic setting either, and
that does seem to be the max.
The official statement is in the manual 5 to 7 bars. The way I
interpret that is that normal speech should produce 5 bars while the
peaks should be flickering the 7th bar. Note also that if the TX GATE
is turned on, the amount of ALC meter indication could possibly vary
depending on the noise gate threshold.
We have heard from Lyle Johnson, after he made the last major change,
that the 5 to 6+ bars was the designed operating point. The DSP
controls the modulating level and the 5th bar indicates the first level
of ALC control from what I can interpret. With data modes, the gain
should be adjusted to 4 bars.
He has also indicated that the ALC meter action does not actually
indicate ALC compression - it is operating more like a VU meter to allow
one to set the gain properly. The latest information is in the new K3
manual is correct. The most recent *major* change was in MCU 1.87 / DSP
1.69 dated in may 2008. The manual was released in July. Additional
information is at the Elecraft website - click on the K3 link in the
opening page then scroll to the bottom of the page that opens, click on
"Elecraft K3 FAQ" and from that list, click "SSB Power control and ALC
metering.
Bottom line, the ALC should go up to 5 with normal speech, and the peaks
should indicate 6+ (7) bars.
Additionally, for data modes where no ALC is wanted, the gain should be
set for 4 bars deflection.
73,
Don W3FPR
Dr. Werner Furlan wrote:
> hi Don, Merv,
>
> thank you for testing with your HC-5 element!
> yes I am using the latest Beta firmware. I use comp 20 and mic gain 20.
> when I push mic gain up to 60, I get a little more ALC reading, but never
> over 7 bars, but not more output. VCE gain is set to 2.0, I have the feeling
> that my voice sounds more natural when I don't drive MIC GAIN over 25.
> (in monitor). My LP100 wattmeter shows peaks with 100 W out with this
> setting. (same as CW) From this point of view all seems o.k. Do you have
> any official statement from Elecraft regarding the ALC reading?
>
> 73! de Werner
> OE9FWV
>
>
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