I am increasingly running across stations that are over-driving their transmitters. When I can copy a signal at 3 points in the filter passband, that is a problem. And the distortion on an over-driven signal often makes the signal difficult to copy or un-copiable.

1) When transmitting using USB (Upper Sideband) and audio input via the mic jack, adjust the audio drive to a point just below the ALC kicking in. And remember your PSK-31 audio is going through the same speech processor settings as you mic audio, so turn off speech processing and/or compression.

2) If you have a DATA mode, i.e. the Elecraft K3, using the LINE IN connection, set the audio level (MIC) to 4 bars of ALC. Then adjust PWR to the appropriate power output level. LINE IN in most rigs by-passes any speech processing and/or compression.

3) Do not be offended if someone gives you a bad report, check your audio drive. An over-driven signal is bad for everyone, and indicates a lack of skill on the part of the operator.

73s Jim, W4ATK

Jim,
 
Good post! My problem is I run a Jupiter and it has no meter, the ALC is a light, on SB its supposed to flicker, however on PSK I have not found much to tell where things shud be set.
 
When I was a newbie I was told, on the zair, to run my power out to maximum (100 Watts) and back the power down to 25-30 Watts using the soundcard. I have a few e-mails stating the light shud be 'on' another says it shud be 'off' and still one that says it shud 'flicker'.
 
I shud add I get good reports ie 599 all the time, only once I was told my signal was bad, and worked Africa QRP. (Power out 100 watts, Signalink adjusted so Wattmeter read 5 watts.)
 
So, if you see me on, and don't like the looks of my signsl, Please e-mail me.
I don't want to be "The skunk at the digital party", to steal a phrase. Tnx agn Jim.
 
Larry WA7HDZ #404
 


________________________________
From: Jim Rogers <w4atk@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 2:27 PM
Subject: [070] Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit

I am increasingly running across stations that are over-driving their transmitters. When I can copy a signal at 3 points in the filter passband, that is a problem. And the distortion on an over-driven signal often makes the signal difficult to copy or un-copiable.

1) When transmitting using USB (Upper Sideband) and audio input via the mic jack, adjust the audio drive to a point just below the ALC kicking in. And remember your PSK-31 audio is going through the same speech processor settings as you mic audio, so turn off speech processing and/or compression.

2) If you have a DATA mode, i.e. the Elecraft K3, using the LINE IN connection, set the audio level (MIC) to 4 bars of ALC. Then adjust PWR to the appropriate power output level. LINE IN in most rigs by-passes any speech processing and/or compression.

3) Do not be offended if someone gives you a bad report, check your audio drive. An over-driven signal is bad for everyone, and indicates a lack of skill on the part of the operator.

73s Jim, W4ATK



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While this is all generally good advice, the only way to be sure all it well is to measure the IMD outside the signal chain as distortion can be introduced anywhere in the signal chain. It is a good idea for anyone who is really serious about keeping it clean to invest in a standalone IMD meter.

73 de Eric

Not all bad signals are distorted audio some times it can be ground loops, RFI in the audio lines or chassis and it also can be a very dirty sound card with high THD% or receiving interference from the computer itself into the sound card. I had a couple of cards that produced some horrible audio.
I notice on one of my rigs that the ALC does not read correctly at different power levels , One way I have learned to set up my audio is to turn my RF power to 100watts then adjust on the audio to produce maximum swing (using BPSK31)general with a dead carrier around say 60 to 70 watt range and swinging up to 100watts on peaks. Then I can back down my RF power knob to any pep power I want to have. I have had good compliments doing it this way and the swing is indicating that the radio is staying linear.


While this is all generally good advice, the only way to be sure all it well is to measure the IMD outside the signal chain as distortion can be introduced anywhere in the signal chain. It is a good idea for anyone who is really serious about keeping it clean to invest in a standalone IMD meter.

73 de Eric

On the Jupiter you don't want any flickering of the ALC light.
WG5T
# 491

Okay, good to hear, thats the way I have been operating. Did decrease the RF out to 50 watts and adjusted the interface to read about 19 watts on the Wattmeter, made a couple contacts that way today.
But WOW! there were some strong signals on 20 today!
Larry WA7HDZ #404


________________________________
From: WG5T <wg5t@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 5:46 PM
Subject: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit



On the Jupiter you don't want any flickering of the ALC light.
WG5T
# 491



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There's a few ways to feel comfortable about your signal. I use a PSK Meter, & a Bird peak reading wattmeter. I adjust the output of my digital radio, a Kenwood TS-480HX, to 30 watts as measured on the Bird wattmeter. Then I adjust the output control on my RigExpert Standard to a full sine wave display on the PSK Meter display. When transmitting text the PSK Meter tells me visually and with text when my signal is "OK", "UNDERDRIVING" or "OVERDRIVING". I make adjustments to the signal with the RigExpert Standard.
Seems like a lot of adjustments, but once set, it rarely changes.
And, I'm of the philosophy that you want no ALC showing on the radio's meter.
Milt.
N6MG
070-650

Hello,
After reading all the posts on the above topic, I started to re-adjust my levels.
Made a couple contacts with folks who said my sig was good, but could not raise
VK or ZL land.
 
So, after attempting all this, I decided to look at the PODXS file's to see if there was a tutorial
on adjusting levels. VE3OIJ posted one, and it indicated that the way I had been running my levels were correct. i.e. RF power out (on the xmitter) to 100% (100Watts).
I adjusted my Signalink TX level to 20 Watts, as measured on my Wattmeter. Note: My RF out is still set at 100%. My IMD Meter reads -34 db.
 
I am calling CQ on 20mMeters right now, so if my sig is bad please let me know now.
Because I will be doing the TDW thing in a couple hrs.
 
TU & 73, Larry WA7HDZ #404


________________________________

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it. I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it. I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

--- In 070@..., Ld Rockne <pops435@> wrote:

Hello,
After reading all the posts on the above topic, I started to re-adjust my levels.
Made a couple contacts with folks who said my sig was good, but could not raise
VK or ZL land.
 
So, after attempting all this, I decided to look at the PODXS file's to see if there was a tutorial
on adjusting levels. VE3OIJ posted one, and it indicated that the way I had been running my levels were correct. i.e. RF power out (on the xmitter) to 100% (100Watts).
I adjusted my Signalink TX level to 20 Watts, as measured on my Wattmeter. Note: My RF out is still set at 100%. My IMD Meter reads -34 db.
 
I am calling CQ on 20mMeters right now, so if my sig is bad please let me know now.
Because I will be doing the TDW thing in a couple hrs.
 
TU & 73, Larry WA7HDZ #404


________________________________

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Fri, 2012-05-25 at 00:20 +0000, David wrote:

--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it. I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

Respectfully disagree. If he has a IMD of -36, he's going to have a
beautiful signal and there will be no ALC. ALC kicks in when the audio
circuit wants to drive the unit above where the power level is set.
Since his power level is at 100 watts and his audio signal is driving to
20 watts there is no ALC because that threshold has never been met.

Setting your power to 100% and then setting your computer output (in
this case a Signalink USB) to a lower power is a perfectly acceptable to
eliminate ALC and have a clean signal.

Elecraft in their instructions for the K3 using DATA A mode (default is USB) suggests about 4 "ticks" of ALC and then adjusting power output with the POWER control. So it would seem ALC is not your enemy, it is driving the amplifier out of its linear region. I think due to differences in rig design and application there may be more than one solution. With that in mind, I would be hesitant to be too dogmatic in postulating a single rule of operation where where this is concerned.

FWIW this is where I run my K3 and I find I can vary the power level from a normal 35 to 50 watts up to a maxed out 110W and still get acceptable IMD reports. The K3 has a 100% duty cycle rating for up to 5 minutes, but I chose to not push that and will very rarely exceed 85 watts.

73s and Gud DXing, Jim, W4ATK

On May 25, 2012, at 6:49 AM, Phil Barnett wrote:

On Fri, 2012-05-25 at 00:20 +0000, David wrote:

--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it. I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

Respectfully disagree. If he has a IMD of -36, he's going to have a
beautiful signal and there will be no ALC. ALC kicks in when the audio
circuit wants to drive the unit above where the power level is set.
Since his power level is at 100 watts and his audio signal is driving to
20 watts there is no ALC because that threshold has never been met.

Setting your power to 100% and then setting your computer output (in
this case a Signalink USB) to a lower power is a perfectly acceptable to
eliminate ALC and have a clean signal.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

David,
You see my problem then, I watched the YouTube video you referenced 5-6 times,
I agree I do not think it is correct.
The way I describe in my post is the way I have done it for years, and VE3OIJ helped
confirm that was the way to do it. However, I think I am still missing something.
Having said that, I have come to believe that there are as many ways to adjust levels as there are PSK'ers. I have about 10 e-mails describing either the way I setup, or other ways.
 
David, You will not be involved in a war with me, I am just picking up on a subject
that was raised on the PODXS reflector....and hope more discussion will follow.
 


________________________________
From: David <aj4tf@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 5:20 PM
Subject: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit



--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it.  I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

--- In 070@..., Ld Rockne <pops435@> wrote:

Hello,
After reading all the posts on the above topic, I started to re-adjust my levels.
Made a couple contacts with folks who said my sig was good, but could not raise
VK or ZL land.
 
So, after attempting all this, I decided to look at the PODXS file's to see if there was a tutorial
on adjusting levels. VE3OIJ posted one, and it indicated that the way I had been running my levels were correct. i.e. RF power out (on the xmitter) to 100% (100Watts).
I adjusted my Signalink TX level to 20 Watts, as measured on my Wattmeter. Note: My RF out is still set at 100%. My IMD Meter reads -34 db.
 
I am calling CQ on 20mMeters right now, so if my sig is bad please let me know now.
Because I will be doing the TDW thing in a couple hrs.
 
TU & 73, Larry WA7HDZ #404
 

________________________________

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

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Yahoo! Groups Links



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ok re-read your post. I still don't think it is correct. So I welcome some more input.
After all, it helps us all to keep sigs clean!
Larry WA7HDZ #404


________________________________
From: Phil Barnett <philb@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 4:49 AM
Subject: Re: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit

On Fri, 2012-05-25 at 00:20 +0000, David wrote:

--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it.  I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

  What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

Respectfully disagree. If he has a IMD of -36, he's going to have a
beautiful signal and there will be no ALC. ALC kicks in when the audio
circuit wants to drive the unit above where the power level is set.
Since his power level is at 100 watts and his audio signal is driving to
20 watts there is no ALC because that threshold has never been met.

Setting your power to 100% and then setting your computer output (in
this case a Signalink USB) to a lower power is a perfectly acceptable to
eliminate ALC and have a clean signal.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

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Yahoo! Groups Links



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Different radios, different adjustments. Elecraft's K3 has a completely different procedure. Typically I run the radio at 35 watts with 3-4 bars of ALC showing. That completely flies in the face of the "right" way to do it.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On May 25, 2012, at 9:18 AM, Ld Rockne wrote:

David,
You see my problem then, I watched the YouTube video you referenced 5-6 times,
I agree I do not think it is correct.
The way I describe in my post is the way I have done it for years, and VE3OIJ helped
confirm that was the way to do it. However, I think I am still missing something.
Having said that, I have come to believe that there are as many ways to adjust levels as there are PSK'ers. I have about 10 e-mails describing either the way I setup, or other ways.

David, You will not be involved in a war with me, I am just picking up on a subject
that was raised on the PODXS reflector....and hope more discussion will follow.



________________________________
From: David <aj4tf@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 5:20 PM
Subject: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit


--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it. I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

--- In 070@..., Ld Rockne <pops435@> wrote:

Hello,
After reading all the posts on the above topic, I started to re-adjust my levels.
Made a couple contacts with folks who said my sig was good, but could not raise
VK or ZL land.

So, after attempting all this, I decided to look at the PODXS file's to see if there was a tutorial
on adjusting levels. VE3OIJ posted one, and it indicated that the way I had been running my levels were correct. i.e. RF power out (on the xmitter) to 100% (100Watts).
I adjusted my Signalink TX level to 20 Watts, as measured on my Wattmeter. Note: My RF out is still set at 100%. My IMD Meter reads -34 db.

I am calling CQ on 20mMeters right now, so if my sig is bad please let me know now.
Because I will be doing the TDW thing in a couple hrs.

TU & 73, Larry WA7HDZ #404


________________________________

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

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Yahoo! Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I agree Eric, I have e-maiks from guys who operate Jupiters, like mine, and there
are several differnent methoda of adjustment described. Go figure
Wished I had a K3!
Larry WA7HDZ #404


________________________________
From: Radio <radio@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 9:25 AM
Subject: Re: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit

Different radios, different adjustments.  Elecraft's K3 has a completely different procedure.  Typically I run the radio at 35 watts with 3-4 bars of ALC showing.  That completely flies in the face of the "right" way to do it.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On May 25, 2012, at 9:18 AM, Ld Rockne wrote:

David,
You see my problem then, I watched the YouTube video you referenced 5-6 times,
I agree I do not think it is correct.
The way I describe in my post is the way I have done it for years, and VE3OIJ helped
confirm that was the way to do it. However, I think I am still missing something.
Having said that, I have come to believe that there are as many ways to adjust levels as there are PSK'ers. I have about 10 e-mails describing either the way I setup, or other ways.
 
David, You will not be involved in a war with me, I am just picking up on a subject
that was raised on the PODXS reflector....and hope more discussion will follow.
 


________________________________
From: David <aj4tf@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 5:20 PM
Subject: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit


--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@...> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it.  I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

--- In 070@..., Ld Rockne <pops435@> wrote:

Hello,
After reading all the posts on the above topic, I started to re-adjust my levels.
Made a couple contacts with folks who said my sig was good, but could not raise
VK or ZL land.
 
So, after attempting all this, I decided to look at the PODXS file's to see if there was a tutorial
on adjusting levels. VE3OIJ posted one, and it indicated that the way I had been running my levels were correct. i.e. RF power out (on the xmitter) to 100% (100Watts).
I adjusted my Signalink TX level to 20 Watts, as measured on my Wattmeter. Note: My RF out is still set at 100%. My IMD Meter reads -34 db.
 
I am calling CQ on 20mMeters right now, so if my sig is bad please let me know now.
Because I will be doing the TDW thing in a couple hrs.
 
TU & 73, Larry WA7HDZ #404
 

________________________________

------------------------------------

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I think it is rig dependent and I have seen information posted
that claimed better IMD by controlling output with the rig power
control rather than audio drive.

With my FT-857D, a lower the power setting caused a greater ALC
indication. This is less noticeable on my TS-2000. It may even
happen. I've gotten into the habit of setting rig power to 100%
and adjusting audio drive for the desired output. It might not
yield the optimum IMD, but it seem that it should be at least
acceptable.

Hopefully at least some of the rig manufacturers know the best
way to run their equipment and if there are specific
instructions for data modes maybe they should be followed.

73
Mike kc9doa

You misunderstood my post. I believe adjusting for max input without triggering the ALC keeps the SSB exciter in the linear range.

Different radios have different methods of displaying whether the ALC is limiting so one needs to Read The Manual. Some manuals are better than others of course but the Elecraft documentation (K2 in my case) is very good.

Not really. If you read the K3 FAQ it says that the ALC doesn't kick in until the 5th bar. Google K3 ALC... so Elecraft is also recommending adjusting for max input without ALC limiting.

The importance of understanding how ones rig works can't be overstated

When you say " adjusting for max input without ALC limiting."  I assume yuou mean Audio Drive. That being said, where is your R.F. Power out set? My R.F. Power Out is adjusted
(currently) to 100 Watts. My Audo Drive is adjusted for a 20 Watt output indication on
my Wattmeter.
 
I cannot adjust my Jupiter as in the YouTube video without my ALC 'Light' being
ON steady. I know by experience this is not good. hi
 
Larry WA7HDZ #404 



________________________________
From: David <aj4tf@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2012 10:50 AM
Subject: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit


Not really.  If you read the K3 FAQ it says that the ALC doesn't kick in until the 5th bar.  Google K3 ALC...  so Elecraft is also recommending adjusting for max input without ALC limiting.

The importance of understanding how ones rig works can't be overstated

--- In 070@..., Radio <radio@...> wrote:

Different radios, different adjustments.  Elecraft's K3 has a completely different procedure.  Typically I run the radio at 35 watts with 3-4 bars of ALC showing.  That completely flies in the face of the "right" way to do it.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On May 25, 2012, at 9:18 AM, Ld Rockne wrote:

David,
You see my problem then, I watched the YouTube video you referenced 5-6 times,
I agree I do not think it is correct.
The way I describe in my post is the way I have done it for years, and VE3OIJ helped
confirm that was the way to do it. However, I think I am still missing something.
Having said that, I have come to believe that there are as many ways to adjust levels as there are PSK'ers. I have about 10 e-mails describing either the way I setup, or other ways.
 
David, You will not be involved in a war with me, I am just picking up on a subject
that was raised on the PODXS reflector....and hope more discussion will follow.
 


________________________________
From: David <aj4tf@...>
To: 070@...
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 5:20 PM
Subject: [070] Re: Proper adjustment of audio levels for transmit


--- In 070@..., "David" <aj4tf@> wrote:

I'm sure this will start a war, but I don't think this is the right way to do it.  I guess everyone has their opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M

What I meant was, I believe the method described in the video above is correct, and the method described below is not.

--- In 070@..., Ld Rockne <pops435@> wrote:

Hello,
After reading all the posts on the above topic, I started to re-adjust my levels.
Made a couple contacts with folks who said my sig was good, but could not raise
VK or ZL land.
 
So, after attempting all this, I decided to look at the PODXS file's to see if there was a tutorial
on adjusting levels. VE3OIJ posted one, and it indicated that the way I had been running my levels were correct. i.e. RF power out (on the xmitter) to 100% (100Watts).
I adjusted my Signalink TX level to 20 Watts, as measured on my Wattmeter. Note: My RF out is still set at 100%. My IMD Meter reads -34 db.
 
I am calling CQ on 20mMeters right now, so if my sig is bad please let me know now.
Because I will be doing the TDW thing in a couple hrs.
 
TU & 73, Larry WA7HDZ #404
 

________________________________

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

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Yahoo! Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Check out the 070 Club website at <http://www.podxs070.com/> for the latest information on 070 Club activities.



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