[Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions

[Rick NK7I]

Others with more knowledge in this area can confirm/correct this but I 
try very hard to not max any audio control, ever (except the 'power' 
control on the WSJT program, max it and ignore it forevermore).

If the setting is at max when it turns from bits to actual audio, it 
would be LOUD, which is not good because it could cause splatter, 
distortion and random artifacts from the device(s) used.  Shouting, is 
rarely effective.  Too loud also dulls the listener (the app, can't hear 
the quiet stuff over the roar).

My goal is 30-70% drive from the device (radio or computer), making up 
the difference at the other end as needed (same rule, don't crank up the 
'ears' side either, you might hear more than you want).

The "trick" is balancing the not shouting and no hearing aid required 
audio in a manner that everything plays nicely together.

In the case of the Windows CODEC for my K4; the transmit (Playback, I 
renamed to CODEC to "K4 Transmit") is set at -3.7 dB and the TX | LINE 
IN (Sound card highlighted; level at 48).   This produces an ALC reading 
of BARELY under 5, any lower dips/flickers the last bar (YMMV), a very 
slight under drive.

On receive (Record, renamed "K4 Receive") the CODEC is -5.2 dB (Main RX 
| Line Out at 20) for a reading of 40-50 on the WSJT app, with no 
received signal (yes higher than the JT manual states, just make sure 
it's never driven into the red zone with loud signals).

Each of the settings in my K4 audio, are roughly half the maximum.

In this setup, nothing is beaten hard, no distortion, flat topping, 
artifacts or other issues (others watched and listened while I 
transmitted), so it's one less concern about running a clean effective 
station.  (This works for PSK/AFSK too, no changes needed.)

Which brings up one more point, ask someone knowledgeable nearby to 
actually look at on their scope and listen to your signal; trust the 
settings you chose, but verify they're working as intended.

Then operate exuberantly!

73,
Rick NK7I


On 5/6/2022 1:05 PM, rocketnj at gmail.com wrote:
> #1 - I am guessing you are using the USB cable to PC for sound? Check Windows Line USB Audio CODEC and make sure level in Windows is 100. Then on radio tap TX and Line IN. Make sure it is set to sound card and I have my level at 32 to give 5 bars when I click the TUNE button in WSJT-X. I also have power slider in WSJT-X all the way up.