[Elecraft] K3 and FLDIGI Question

Sun Nov 23 18:49:03 EST 2014

Be Carfull   you really should have four bars and fifth blinking  if its 
below that you can get some strange fluctuations on the output power.   
so a compromise between programs is not the best idea. When the K3 is in 
DATA A mode the mic gain will adjust the level for the line in so 
adjustment when using different programs is easy.

    level differences can be a problem with running multiple programs 
for digital as they seems to have different algorithms and different 
output levels   I no longer use FLdigi and have moved to MMVARI as it 
has internal TX level adjustment  that is independent of the soundcard 
level.      with this I can match the output  with the WSJT-X and 
MMSSTV.   I can't seem to find this independent control for FLdigi.     
I have only tried Coacomodem some time ago but I believe it too has an 
independent level control that may help in matching levels with other 
programs although I cant remember if that setting is linked to the 
windows levels or not
   I don't believe that WSJT-X has this though.

David Moes
President: Peterborough Amateur Radio Club.
dmoes at nexicom.net
VE3DVY,  VE3SD

On 11/23/2014 18:06, James Bennett wrote:
> John - thanks - that hit the nail on the head for me. The setting I had on my external audio card’s output control was sufficient given the K3’s Mic level that I was using with cocoaModem and WSJT-X. However, as you pointed out, it was not sufficient enough for FLDIGI to “tickle” the K3. So - I increased the audio card output a bit until I saw the K3’s ALC bars light up, then backed down on the K3’s Mic gain. Now it’s working just fine with FLDIGI, cocoaModem, and WSJT-X.
>
> Much appreciated for the replies from both of you - case closed!
>
> 73, Jim / W6JHB
>
>> On   Sunday, Nov 23, 2014, at  Sunday, 2:13 PM, John Nelson <john at happyvalleybiz.com> wrote:
>>
>> The same thing happens in my setup, if the audio level from the sound card to the K3 is too low.  Nothing will appear in the ALC window, no matter how high I turn up the mic gain.  Once establishing a minimum audio level, the ALC will show four bars with the fifth flickering at a mic level of 7. It's very touchy for me to get just right, but I am probably using sub-optimal sound cards.  Works fine, though, for all the digital modes.
>>
>> John / W3DN
>>
>>
>> On 11/23/2014 4:34 PM, James Bennett wrote:
>>> Hi david - thanks for the reply to my post.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately, no improvement. I have everything set exactly as you suggest (it was already that way) and the result is the same. I type in some text, press T/R and: the K3 goes into transmit mode, RF flows out the radio to the antenna, but no ALC indication on the K3 ALC meter. I shut down FLDIGI, bring up cocoaModem and do EXACTLY the same thing with absolutely no changes, and I get the RF out, but with the fifth ALC bar flickering. Funky, huh?
>>>
>>> Jim / W6JHB
>>>
>>>
>>>> On   Sunday, Nov 23, 2014, at  Sunday, 6:18 AM, david Moes <dmoes at nexicom.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Its not normal   verify that you have the correct sound card selected in FLdigi and that the levels are set correctly.
>>>>
>>>> In the setup  under configure sound card  first tab
>>>> "devices"  I have port audio set to the sound card for the rig (soundblaster in my case)
>>>> under "settings" sample rate is native and converter is medium interpolation. and corrections all 0  and
>>>> third tab "right channel" all buttons are clear unchecked.
>>>>
>>>> David Moes
>>>> VE3DVY,  VE3SD
>>>>
>>>> On 11/22/2014 17:15, James Bennett wrote:
>>>>> I’ve been using cocoaModem on my iMac for PSK31 QSO’s. Also, I use WSJT-X for JT65 and JT9. Recently downloaded FLDIGI v 3.22.01 and gave it a try. It works, but…..
>>>>>
>>>>> When I transmit, I get absolutely no indication of RF being sent. The K3 goes into transmit mode, but I get no ALC action on the K3 meter. I know I’m getting RF out because (1) my KPA500 (in standby mode) is showing 30 watts, and (2) I’ve had several QSO’s on PSK31. If I bring up cocoaModem and transmit, I get the ALC action that I’m used to seeing: the fifth bar flickering. Same thing with WSJT-X. But for some reason, when I transmit with FLDIGI - nada, zip, zero indication.
>>>>>
>>>>> Is this “normal”? If so, how would one ever set audio levels w/o having any indication of audio actually flowing? What do I have set wrong?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks, Jim / W6JHB
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