Re: [Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions
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, rocke...@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. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions
Steve - that did the trick. Just before I read your reply I came across the TX>Line In in the Intro guide. Sure enough, there is plenty of ALC bar now. I’ve got mine at 40 and it puts me one bar below the “5” mark. 73, Jim / K7TXA > On May 6, 2022, at 2:34 PM, wb6r...@mac.com wrote: > > Set WJTX to near max output. Use TX>LIN IN. I have it at 50. MIC has no > effect on the drive (ALC change) as it did on the K3. My Audio Midi setting > is .56 both channels. > > GL - Steve WB6RSE > >> On May 6, 2022, at 1:25 PM, James Bennett via Elecraft >> mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net>> wrote: >> >> Anyone else have input on this subject as a Mac user? > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions
Hi Dave - thanks for the reply. Understood about #1 - I forgot that WSJT-X can force the radio to do stuff. On #2, I use a Mac so things are a little different. The Mac has an Audio MIDI Setup application, and it appears to me that the USB Audio CODEC is set to maximum. Anyone else have input on this subject as a Mac user? Jim Bennett / K7TXA Eagle, ID > On May 6, 2022, at 2:05 PM, rocke...@gmail.com wrote: > > I'll answer #2 first - if WSJT-X is set to Data/Pkt (which it should) in > setup/radio then yes, the radio will switch to DATA > > #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. > > Hope this helps! > Dave wo2x > > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > <mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> <mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net>> On Behalf Of James Bennett via > Elecraft > Sent: Friday, May 6, 2022 3:52 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector <mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net>> > Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions > > Two questions on using my new K4D for data mode, specifically, FT8. > > First, with both VFOs set to DATA mode, no matter what I do I am only able to > get two bars on the ALC meter. I read in the operator’s guide that I should > keep it under the “5” mark. On my K3, I always kept four solid bars and the > 5th flickering. Obviously two bars is wy under that “5” mark, but why, > when I advance the MIC level from 1 all the way to max, does the ALC meter > only stay at two bars? I am able to make contacts on FT8 so the thing is > working, but I’m puzzled. Should I be able to get more than two bars of ALC > in DATA mode? > > Second - the K4 seems to think for itself. After scratching my head regarding > that ALC level issue, I decided to try using USB mode. I put both VFOs into > USB and…… this sneaky radio automatically switched both of ‘em back to DATA > mode as soon as I transmitted. Is that normal / expected? > > Jim / K7TXA > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> Message delivered to rocke...@gmail.com > <mailto:rocke...@gmail.com> __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions
I'll answer #2 first - if WSJT-X is set to Data/Pkt (which it should) in setup/radio then yes, the radio will switch to DATA #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. Hope this helps! Dave wo2x -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of James Bennett via Elecraft Sent: Friday, May 6, 2022 3:52 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions Two questions on using my new K4D for data mode, specifically, FT8. First, with both VFOs set to DATA mode, no matter what I do I am only able to get two bars on the ALC meter. I read in the operator’s guide that I should keep it under the “5” mark. On my K3, I always kept four solid bars and the 5th flickering. Obviously two bars is wy under that “5” mark, but why, when I advance the MIC level from 1 all the way to max, does the ALC meter only stay at two bars? I am able to make contacts on FT8 so the thing is working, but I’m puzzled. Should I be able to get more than two bars of ALC in DATA mode? Second - the K4 seems to think for itself. After scratching my head regarding that ALC level issue, I decided to try using USB mode. I put both VFOs into USB and…… this sneaky radio automatically switched both of ‘em back to DATA mode as soon as I transmitted. Is that normal / expected? Jim / K7TXA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rocke...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K4 Data Mode Questions
Two questions on using my new K4D for data mode, specifically, FT8. First, with both VFOs set to DATA mode, no matter what I do I am only able to get two bars on the ALC meter. I read in the operator’s guide that I should keep it under the “5” mark. On my K3, I always kept four solid bars and the 5th flickering. Obviously two bars is wy under that “5” mark, but why, when I advance the MIC level from 1 all the way to max, does the ALC meter only stay at two bars? I am able to make contacts on FT8 so the thing is working, but I’m puzzled. Should I be able to get more than two bars of ALC in DATA mode? Second - the K4 seems to think for itself. After scratching my head regarding that ALC level issue, I decided to try using USB mode. I put both VFOs into USB and…… this sneaky radio automatically switched both of ‘em back to DATA mode as soon as I transmitted. Is that normal / expected? Jim / K7TXA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
