[Hallicrafters] ht-32b audio level

[Ian Szekeres]

Just passed 1 and 3 this weekend, and now that the thrill of my first dx
contact has passed, I have some questions.

I am having some trouble setting the audio level during ssb tx on my ht-32b.
My tuning procedure is as follows:


-advance rf level enough to peak driver and final tune
-continue to advance rf level until diminished advance is noted on the level
meter (around 110 watts on my wattmeter)
-reduce rf level a smidge from this saturation point (resulting in about 100
watts on wattmeter)
-using the meter compression control I then set a reference point on the
level meter
-switch to ssb
-adjust audio level so peaks are just tapping the reference level previously
set

I have a couple of questions assuming this tuning procedure is ok.

Should I be treating the reference point as a definate do not pass point?
Setting the audio level this way seems to keep most of my signal at about
50-70% of the total available power.
What percent of the signal can i drive past this point?
I know driving the peaks over this level will result in the signal being
clipped or distorted, but to what extent? Is there any amount I can push the
peaks over or is this a line I should never cross?

I suppose this is where compression comes in handy, bringing down the peaks
and raising the lower levels, but I have no such equipment to work with at
the moment.  I can also see how my inconsistant mic handling is also comming
into play.  Will I just need to ride the audio level by hand until I get
more consistant with my mic?

I have a single trace scope I am using to monitor the signal. Totally
overdriving the audio level produces obvious flattopping, but it is very
difficult for me to pick out when this clipping first starts to occur while
monitoring voice signals.

I think this is where a two-tone test would come in handy, unfortunately the
only af generator I have available is my touch tone phone held up to the
mic!  I can definately see the point at which the clipping starts to occur,
but this seems somewhat useless as changing the input level of the audio
signal (moving the phone away from the mic or turning my head while speaking
or holding the mic some inches closer or away) will change the audio level
setting where clipping will occur.

Any advice would be appreciated.

tnx
kb9tqo/ag!
-ian