[Elecraft] K3 and FLDIGI Question
Joe Subich, W4TV
lists at subich.com
Mon Nov 24 14:43:26 EST 2014
> I think what you say is understood. but there is a reason to adjust
> what FLdigi calls TX level. This is to match the output level so it
> matches other programs this adjustment is independent so it wont
> effect levels from other programs.
At least in the Windows world (Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1) that
adjustment is handled in the Windows Sound Mixer. The "Master"
control (hardware) for the output is set to 60 to 80%, the application
specific outputs are maintained as separate sub-mixer levels and are
generally left at 100% - 100% of the maximum set in the hardware -
since application based controls are all relative in the hardware
abstraction layer *unless* the particular application is designed to
use the sound card in "*exclusive* modes ("Port Audio" is not
exclusive).
In any case, reducing the audio output of a Windows based digital
application to control power output *will* run afoul of the ALC/power
control in the K3 (and presumably the KX3). The "attenuator" in
Fldigi (and any other digital software) should be left at 100% and
the audio drive controlled by the K3 Line In control.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2014-11-24 1:14 PM, david Moes wrote:
> Hi Joe
>
> I think what you say is understood. but there is a reason to adjust
> what FLdigi calls TX level. This is to match the output level so it
> matches other programs this adjustment is independent so it wont effect
> levels from other programs. If the output levels of all program can
> matched ie FLdigi WSJT-X, MMsstv, etc. it simplifies things when
> moving from one digital program to another by not having to readjust
> levels every time to achieve the proper setting of four bars fifth
> blinking. I think if you read the rest of the postings you will
> understand this need.
>
>
> David Moes
> President: Peterborough Amateur Radio Club.
> dmoes at nexicom.net
> VE3DVY, VE3SD
>
> On 11/24/2014 11:31, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>>
>> On 2014-11-24 11:14 AM, Bob NW8L wrote:
>>> Fldigi has a TX level *attenuator* control on the status bar (to the
>>> left of the AFC button) that can be used to trim the TX level. It can
>>> be used to adjust levels downward to match those of other programs.
>>
>> The K3 *can not* adjust transmit level (power output) by reducing audio
>> drive. If you reduce drive below the ALC threshold, power output will
>> become unstable and "drift". Set your sound card output to a fixed
>> level (typically 60 to 80% of maximum), adjust the K3 Line IN control
>> for four to five bars of ALC, then adjust desired power output using
>> the K3 PWR control.
>>
>> Any other procedure risks unstable power output (low end) or significant
>> distortion (high end).
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>> On 2014-11-24 11:14 AM, Bob NW8L wrote:
>>> Fldigi has a TX level *attenuator* control on the status bar (to the
>>> left of the AFC button) that can be used to trim the TX level. It can be
>>> used to adjust levels downward to match those of other programs. It's
>>> not labeled and is often overlooked.
>>>
>>> Bob NW8L
>>>
>>> On Sun, 23 Nov 2014, david Moes wrote:
>>>
>>>> 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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>
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