[Elecraft] ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Kev et al:

The most complex issues have the most simple solutions.   It's just 
knowing where to hit it with the hammer.

Glad the non-issue is resolved and glad to assist.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 6/25/2019 3:32 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:
> Bob:
>
> You nailed it again. 1500 Hz is where I normally set my audio so when 
> I do my quick test before operating this pulsating is what I see.
>
> I went to 1700 Hz (and a few others) and ran the same tests. It was 
> steady as a rock in tune and exactly as expected in transmit (4+1 
> blinking).
>
> Sometimes things looked real good. Sometimes they looked strange 
> (pulsating). I always felt there was something intermittent but now I 
> know. The issue is simply where I chose to test. I'd have never 
> figured that out.
>
> Thanks and 73!
> Kev N4TT
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 4:17 PM Bob McGraw K4TAX <rmcgraw at blomand.net 
> <mailto:rmcgraw at blomand.net>> wrote:
>
>     The pulsating is the result of the refresh rate of the display and
>     the
>     1500 Hz tone.  Change the TUNE tone to a non- 500 Hz interval such as
>     1250 Hz. or 1700 HZ as such.   Yes, in FLDIGI the TUNE tone is a
>     single
>     frequency you have selected on the waterfall scale or in the box
>     at the
>     bottom of the screen.
>
>     When you setup and adjust the audio levels, the radio mode must be
>     DATA
>     A for PSK-31.  The audio level for correct ALC indication should
>     show 4
>     bars solid with the 5th bar flashing.  The Elecraft radios DO NOT
>     operate like other brands in regards to the ALC indications. The
>     actual ALC in the Elecraft starts at and after the 5th bar on the ALC
>     scale.   Before that the "audio level" is indicated.    Then set
>     the PWR
>     knob on the radio for the power output you desire.   DO NOT adjust
>     the
>     audio level to change power.
>
>     There are 3 places where audio level is controlled and each one
>     needs to
>     be correct.  First is the SPKR level out of the computer. This should
>     be about 30%  {-18 dB} or so.  Then output attenuation on the lower
>     right of FLDIGI which should be about -10 dB to -15 dB .  Then the
>     Line
>     Gain on the radio {adjusts by the MIC knob} to about 30. These are
>     "ball park" numbers and should get you up and running with a clean
>     signal.   If any one or more is near minimum or near maximum, you
>     need
>     to investigate further.
>
>     If needed I can send screen captures.
>
>     73
>
>     Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>     On 6/25/2019 2:42 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:
>     > I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten
>     any bad
>     > reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see
>     for ALC.
>     >
>     >
>     > The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first
>     to a "TUNE"
>     > command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the
>     headphones but the
>     > ALC meter responds oddly, almost like it is pulsating. I
>     expected ALC to
>     > pretty much be steady.
>     >
>     > Next in the video is just clicking T/R in fldigi with no typing.
>     It sounds
>     > as expected in the headphones (a trilling sound). The ALC
>     response looks
>     > better but I can still see the pulsations in there. I expected
>     to see 4
>     > bars solid and the 5th flashing.
>     >
>     > https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AaLaVu1r8UDv5LT9
>     >
>     > Am I reading too much into this? Is this how your K3s responds?
>     >
>     > I'm using the K3s sound card. Level in Windows is -14.7 dB.
>     Level in fldigi
>     > is -12.7 dB. The level control on the K3s is set for 18.
>     >
>     > 73,
>     > Kev N4TT
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