[Elecraft] Free DV (digital voice as reported in QST-Aprilissue)

[Richard Fjeld]

I'd like to thank all for their help, and for setting me straight.  I am guilty of reading the manual and using it to look up info when possible.

As for helping Eric, I thought it would be best to stay on what I thought was the safe side from a data consideration. 

The radio gets better the more I learn about it.

Rich, n0ce

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Stephen Prior 
  To: Elecraft 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 1:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Free DV (digital voice as reported in QST-Aprilissue)


  It took some finding on the Elecraft site and in the end I had to use the
  site's search tool, but the information (and more besides) is at
  http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_operating_tips.htm

  I agree that something so important should be in the main manual.

  73 Stephen G4SJP




  On 3 April 2013 19:47, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:

  > Well, I 'thought' was in the manual, and it *should* be.
  >
  > Lyle has explained several times here on the reflector (and he should
  > know, he designed it) that the onset of ALC action is at the 5th bar.  The
  > bars below that do not indicate ALC action at all.
  >
  > Due to the way the K3 controls power, if you do not have sufficient audio,
  > the K3 will increase power (thinking there is not enough drive) and you
  > will find your power drifting upward as you transmit.
  >
  > So adjust for 4 bars on the ALC meter (that is *no* ALC) so your power
  > will be uniform throughout the transmission.  With the K3 you must have
  > sufficient audio drive to allow the power controls to work as they should.
  > Contrary to the advice given for most transceivers (which do not control
  > power in a closed loop), the K3 power will behave strangely if you use that
  > advice - which is to set the power for maximum and use the audio drive to
  > control the power output.  That just will not work with the K3.
  >
  > 73,
  > Don W3FPR
  >
  >
  > On 4/3/2013 2:25 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
  >
  >> Maybe I need an updated manual??  I do not find that in my manual, else I
  >> am overlooking it.  'Data modes' in my manual takes me to page 31.
  >>
  >> Isn't it better to be on the 'lean' side than the 'strong' side for ALC
  >> in data modes?
  >>
  >> I would like to know more about the K3 'power hunting'.
  >>
  >> Rich, n0ce
  >>
  >>    ----- Original Message -----
  >>    From: Don Wilhelm
  >>    To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
  >>    Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 12:29 PM
  >>    Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Free DV (digital voice as reported in
  >> QST-Aprilissue)
  >>
  >>
  >>    Since this is just another digital mode, why would you not set the K3
  >>    ALC indication as specified for other digital modes.  4 bars on the ALC
  >>    meter with the 5th bar flickering.
  >>
  >>    If you do not do it that way, the K3 will "power hunt" and you will not
  >>    have consistent power output.
  >>    Bring the audio up as indicated in the digital operation section of the
  >>    K3 manual and set the power knob for the desired power output.
  >>
  >>    73,
  >>    Don W3FPR
  >>
  >>    On 4/3/2013 1:12 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
  >>    > Keep your ALC low, just barely visible.  Make notes.
  >>    >
  >>