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List:       elecraft
Subject:    Re: [Elecraft] K3 FT8 Levels Sanity Check
From:       Don Wilhelm <donwilh () embarqmail ! com>
Date:       2020-11-27 22:05:53
Message-ID: 00771b40-2a4b-b1d2-4509-7635ac174cec () embarqmail ! com
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Jim,

That may work OK for non-Elecraft gear, but with the power control 
mechanism used by Elecraft, not having sufficient audio drive will cause 
"power hunting".  Drive the soundcard audio for digital modes to 4 bars 
solid with the 5th flashing on the ALC meter.  Then set the power knob 
for the desired power.
It is "in the manual".

Failure to do so can cause the gain of the low level transmit stages to 
be increased which can cause distortion and overdriving of some 
intermittent stages.

On voice modes set the mic gain for 5 to 7 bars with a normal speaking 
voice.  Similar rules apply.

Refer to the Setup for Digital Modes article on my website www.w3fpr.com 
for an expanded explanation.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/27/2020 4:33 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:
> Another thing to remember is that you are generating a signal in single
> sideband mode. You can also get a pretty good setting by increasing the
> gain until it just gets to the power level you have set on the RF out
> meter. That is what I do on some of my non-Elecraft rigs. Your level then
> should not be distorted and overdriven.
> 
> On Fri, Nov 27, 2020 at 2:16 PM Joseph M. Durnal <joseph.durnal@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> It has been doing well with the settings I posted.  One of the schools of
>> thought is to use the most gain in the final stage, which should be the
>> line gain on the K3.
>>
>> With the KIO3B the levels on the computer, Windows volume & Pwr slider in
>> WSJT-X should be known quantities.  I suppose, OS & driver versions could
>> also make a difference.  The last thing I want is a poor quality signal on
>> the band,
>>
>> It can be tough when you are operating a temporary portable setup and you
>> don't have all your regular stuff or locals you know to get a good signal
>> report.  I just wanted to do some casual operating while I stayed with my
>> grandmother and prepared for Thanksgiving & FT8 really fit the bill.  Also
>> doing a little PSK31 here and there, which is pretty much the same
>> settings.
>>
>> In a few hours, the mode will switch to CW for the rest of the weekend.  I
>> hope 20 meters stays as open as it has been!  Running QRP with an end fed
>> half wave at rooftop height, so, less than ideal, but looking forward to
>> getting on the air.
>>
>> 73 de Joe NE3R
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 26, 2020 at 3:20 PM Bill Frantz <frantz@pwpconsult.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Remember also, if the output level from the computer is too
>>> high, then it may not be possible to get the 4 bars steady, 5th
>>> flashing by adjusting the radio line in gain. This is because a
>>> change of one in the line in on the radio gives you either 4
>>> bars steady or 5 bars steady. Cutting down the levels from the
>>> computer will let you use more gain in the radio, getting to a
>>> place where the step size of the digital gain is smaller, giving
>>> finer control.
>>>
>>> 73 Bill AE6JV
>>>
>>> On 11/26/20 at 2:52 PM, jim@audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 11/26/2020 1:43 AM, LDE wrote:
>>>>> Line In Gain = 40 seems too high to me.
>>>>
>>>> Numerical values are pretty much meaningless. The values cited
>>>> simply indicate that levels coming out of the computer are
>>>> fairly low, so more gain is needed in the Elecraft input stage.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Bill Frantz        | When it comes to the world     | Periwinkle
>>> (408)348-7900      | around us, is there any choice | 150
>>> Rivermead Rd #235
>>> www.pwpconsult.com | but to explore? - Lisa Randall |
>>> Peterborough, NH 03458
>>>
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> 
> 
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