[Elecraft] FT8 TX levels = no power
Peter Dougherty
lists at w2irt.net
Tue Jul 16 22:17:03 EDT 2019
So there's something specific in my system that's fatally allergic to v2.1.0 (either 32- or 64-bit).
With everything set as it always was before the v1903 and 2.1.0 change, I go in to settings and see the correct sound cards setup (the input and output to/from the K3s, which I renamed K3 Input and K3 Output, respectively, several months ago, and which have been reliable until last night).
Now with v2.1.0, the software is getting confused, and trying to connect the output from a non-existent Windows sound card to what it thinks is K3-Transmit. If I force it to use the K3-Transmit card it works very briefly, but after a band change or maybe 10 minutes of inactivity it goes back in to the same failure mode.
I installed the 32-bit version over top of the 64-bit version and the same problem.
I installed the old v2.0.1 over top of the 32-bit and everything's back to normal. So there's absolutely a problem on my own system with v2.1.0. I would really like to fix it if I can.
- pjd
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob McGraw K4TAX <rmcgraw at blomand.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 7:24 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net; lists at w2irt.net >> Peter Dougherty <lists at w2irt.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FT8 TX levels = no power
Peter:
In that configuration there are 3 specific places where adjustments are needed for transmit levels. Left click on the SPKR icon in the lower right side of the computer display. Set that slider to a value between
30 and 50. That controls the transmit audio via the software. And in WSJT-X set the PWR slider {which does not actually control power} to a value of about 50% or mid scale. Then on the K3S you MUST be in DATA A mode. The press MENU and scroll to MIC SEL. It should be set to Line In using the A VFO knob. Then exit that menu. Use the Speed/MIC knob to control LINE gain to attain 4 solid bars shown on the ALC scale with WSJT-X in TUNE mode. The 5th bar should be flickering. With WSJT-X in TUNE mode, move the TX audio frequency away from 1500 Hz as there is a beat between the tone and refresh rate of the display and will cause what appears to be pulsing of the audio. Adjust the actual transmitted power using the normal radio PWR control. NEVER change the audio level to adjust power output.
For setting receive level you should RIGHT click on the SPKR icon which should bring up a menu. Then LEFT click on OPEN SOUND SETTINGS. This will bring up the WINDOWS Settings page. At the top in the box you should have SPEAKERS USB Audio CODEC selected. Then down below is the bar showing level and it should be about 30 to 40. Then a bit down the page is INPUT. In the box it should be showing Microphone (USB Audio CODEC). Click on Device Properties and you can adjust that slider to attain a value of about 30 or so on the WSJT-X level indication on the left side of the WSJT-X pane.
Now all of this is not nearly a complex as it sounds. One just needs to know where things are located and what to adjust. As a general rule one never wants a control at or near maximum and likewise, never near minimum. The three places must be used "in harmony" in order to attain excellent results.
I've been running my K3S for several years with WSJT-X and other audio modes very successfully. I've just updated to the 64 bit version for Windows 10 and it is GREAT!
If you need screen shots, I'll be glad to provide same.
73
Bob, K4TAX
On 7/16/2019 5:46 PM, Peter Dougherty wrote:
> I should have mentioned, this is on a K3s. What radio settings are involved? Is it mic gain or something in the menu?
>
> I did find the new Windows TX level for the K3s (purely by accident; I don’t think I could do it again on a bet), and I set it up to 100%. I also set the TX level in WSJT-X to 100%. I don’t know if there are any more level controls involved, and to be honest, I never like to run anything wide-open.
>
> But with that said (and set), on FT8 transmit now I have four solid ALC bars, but I can’t push the 5th one to start flashing, as it had before.
>
> What was even more aggravating was my RX levels went haywire and it took me almost an hour to find them. There’s GOT to be an easier way to control all these settings!
>
>
>
> - pjd
>
>
>
> From: turnbull <turnbull at net1.ie>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2019 5:48 PM
> To: Peter Dougherty <lists at w2irt.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FT8 TX levels = no power
>
>
>
> Ck radio settings. After loading 2.1, I found rig setting changed from K3. Once corrected all was ok.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
>
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
>
> From: Peter Dougherty <lists at w2irt.net <mailto:lists at w2irt.net> >
>
> Date: 16/07/2019 22:41 (GMT+00:00)
>
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>
> Subject: [Elecraft] FT8 TX levels = no power
>
>
>
> Hi all,
> I'm completely stumped at a problem I have no idea where to even start
> looking at. Windows 10, version 1903 has completely buggered up the
> sound mixer interface. No matter what I'm doing I can't get power out
> using digital modes from the new WSJT-X version 2.1.0 (64 bit).
>
> CW and SSB are fine, so it's a computer problem, but evidently I'm not
> smart enough to understand what's going on here. Has anybody run
> across this and found a solution?
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> 73 and Good DX
> Peter, W2IRT
>
>
>
> President, North Jersey DX Association
>
> DXCC Card Checker
> Letter O Manager, ARRL Incoming 2nd District QSL bureau
>
>
>
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