[Elecraft] K3s/FT8 Audio Question

[Gwen Patton]

I found an article a while back that extolled the virtue of running with
the volume all the way up, but the RF gain down. That way, you don't
amplify the noise along with the signal, if the signal is sticking up out
of the noise at all. It works pretty well! I'd get so frustrated trying to
keep the RF gain high and adjust the volume up and down, trying to pick out
a weak signal. The hash was always so hard to isolate the signal from, no
matter how much I diddled the filters. But running with volume high and
adjusting volume with the RF gain appears to work a lot better. I get far
better performance on my KX3 doing that!

Here's the article:
https://www.hamradioqrp.com/2015/08/copying-weak-cw-signals-counter.html

73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Wed, Oct 30, 2019 at 8:50 PM Bob McGraw K4TAX <rmcgraw at blomand.net>
wrote:

> You can reduce the LIN OUT level via the Config menu in the radio.
> Normal is 010.  I would back that value down.
>
> I use Windows 10 thus I have full control of all levels via the
> computer.   Also I use the USB connection between the radio and computer
> and do not need a Signalink.
>
> I can't say I agree that RF Gain should always be at maximum, nor do I
> agree that AGC should be OFF.  I know that information in the WSJT-X
> Help file indicated  to turn AGC off.    I know is I've been operating
> my K3S for 3 years now, I use the RF Gain as needed to set the receiver
> for optimum performance based on no signal band noise.    And I run the
> AGC on Fast with a RX BW of 2.7kHz and don't experience any issues from
> strong stations.   I think the key is setting the RF Gain and ATTN to
> values to allow the no signal band noise to be about 10 dB above the
> noise floor of the receiver.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
> On 10/30/2019 7:24 PM, Richard wrote:
> > The Elecraft K3s manual states over and over that the RF gain should
> always be wide open. I had been running it at about 12 o'clock on FT8 for
> some time before this was brought to my attention. I supposed that 100% RF
> gain could possibly show me weak stations I’d not seen before, so I’m
> trying it.
> >
> > In order to keep the Audio Input to WSJT FT8 at a reasonable level
> (nominally 40dB: noise only) with the K3s RF gain wide open I have to run
> the SignaLink’s RX way down near full CCW. Very touchy and hard to adjust.
> SignaLink’s JP2  jumper is NOT connected. I do NOT use AGC, nor do I wish
> to.
> >
> > Oh, this is a Mac so the USB Audio Codec input has no level adjustment.
> >
> > Any suggestions as to what I might do to get SignaLink’s RX back to
> about 12 o’clock where it used to be?
> >
> > Please reply to FlatHat at comcast.net
> >
> > Cheers!
> >
> > Richard Kunc  - W4KBX
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