[Elecraft] Field Day and FT-8

[David Decoons]

A lot of hams have no clue on how to properly set TX gain on digital modes. There are so many variations of radios and interfaces that having a standard is almost impossible.

I have seen signals so bad that I cannot even decode them.

The K4 FT8 setup procedure is documented well. I would like to see more accurate TX audio level instead of 5 bars of ALC but it seems to work.

My other radio (Flex 6600m) has a TX audio level meter with peak indicator that stays yellow as level approaches zero then goes red if level is over zero and clipping is then applied.

Quite a few people use older radios for Field Day and use analog interfaces such as a Signal Link and they are harder to get set correctly.

Dave wo2x

Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 26, 2022, at 3:28 PM, Bob McGraw <rmcgraw at benlomand.net> wrote:
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> I operated FD from here at the house this weekend.  Most all of my FT-8
> contacts were on 6M.
> 
> I was appalled at the poor quality of many signals. Many show spurious
> every 1 kHz to 2 kHz either side of their primary signal.  Several were
> noted to be bands of noise on the order of 2 kHz to 3 kHz wide.  What
> gives with hams and their pride for good quality signals?   Bottom
> line......this is poor operating and technical practice.  Just because
> it was Field Day, that is no excuse either.  Have the masses digressed
> to this level of non technical expertise?  It sure seems so.
> 
> Then I was off to 80M and 40M for a few FT-8 contacts. No different.
> WOW!  This is all very disappointing.
> 
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
> 
> -- 
> IF ONE EXPECTS COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS,
> ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY
> AND ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS."
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