[Elecraft] K3 - PSK31 - AGC/No AGC

[Rick WA6NHC]

What Don says, plus if you're using a sound card interface (any flavor) 
to decode the digital, keep the LIN OUT low (mine is set to 1, zero is 
off) THEN keep the audio as light as possible (driver software) into the 
computer decoder.  What you want is to NOT let the sound card AGC get 
triggered at all.  It only screws things up when that happens.

This is a case of least is best.  BUT if you listen to a wider than 
needed audio bandwidth, the sound card AGC will get tripped which is why 
there is blocking from the stronger audio signals.  Use tightly placed 
filters for QSO, then use a skimmer (wide audio) when hunting.

RTTY seems to need 10 or so dbm above the noise floor for good decoding, 
PSK can be run at the noise floor, most times (depends on if atmospheric 
or human noises).  It requires a lot of experimentation and with 
changing conditions, one size doesn't fit all cases.  Expect to fiddle 
with it, often.

Rick wa6nhc

On 10/27/2015 3:53 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Lee,
>
> I do not turn off the AGC, but instead use the filters to isolate the 
> signal of interest with the Width and Shift controls in the event that 
> a strong signal is monopolizing the waterfall.
>
> Yes, you can do it your way, but I believe my way will allow you to 
> copy weaker signals easily.  You will not see the full waterfall 
> bandwidth with the filters narrowed, but then you are only interested 
> in working one signal at a time.  When you have finished the QSO, it 
> is a simple matter to broaden the width and once again view the entire 
> "battlefield".
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 10/27/2015 6:32 PM, Leroy Buller wrote:
>> Hi guys....
>>
>>   Old topic from a Old Newbie.  I have been fooling around with PSK 
>> 31 and I
>> have it set up and working but I do have a question.  Do most ops using
>> this mode turn off the AGC and then ride the RF gain control because 
>> of the
>> stronger signals in the band pass killing off the weaker signals?
>>
>> Is that how it is done....or am I missing something
>>
>>
>
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