[Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
My thanks to everyone for their feedback and suggestions yesterday regarding my distortion problem. After trying a several things that you suggested, but to no avail, I am quite sure that I have an common mode RF problem. I will be going after it with common mode chokes as described by Jim, K9YC, in his document, A Ham's Guide to RFI, Ferrites, Baluns, and Audio Interfacing. It will take a bit of time to get the chokes placed at the feed point of my HexBeam as we still have about 18 of snow on the ground here in Michigan and I won't be tilting my tower over until it is gone. There are a few other things I can try in the shack to temporarily work around the problem, but I really want to get to the bottom of it and not just put a Band-Aid on the symptoms. This group is a wonderful resource. Thank you all. Stan - K6VWE __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
You may get significant relief putting chokes where the coax enters the shack without freezing yourself too badly. Or you could order some of the uni-directional coax described in the April QST on page 45. HIHI! Cheers - Bill, AE6JV On 3/16/14 at 11:43 AM, shrt...@chartermi.net (Stan Rowe) wrote: It will take a bit of time to get the chokes placed at the feed point of my HexBeam as we still have about 18 of snow on the ground here in Michigan and I won't be tilting my tower over until it is gone. --- Bill Frantz|Security, like correctness, is| Periwinkle (408)356-8506 |not an add-on feature. - Attr-| 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com |ibuted to Andrew Tanenbaum| Los Gatos, CA 95032 __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
I am using a SignalLink USB interface to my K3 with the cables provided by Tigertronics, and the FLDIGI software. The cables from the SignalLink are plugged into line in, line out and PTT on the back of the K3. Things seem to work fine in digital modes, although I have actually only tried the combination on PSK31. When I switch to SSB, however, I am getting reports of distorted audio, and when I monitor my audio I can hear it too. One contact said it sounded like the opposite sideband not being suppressed enough and slightly delayed. I have tried the following to solve the audio problem: 1. Turning off the SignalLink when I am in SSB mode. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned distortion, I get an audio tone on my voice signal which can be heard by whomever I am talking to. 2. Disconnecting the cables at the SignalLink but leaving them plugged into line in, line out and PTT at the back of the K3 when in SSB. This does not fix the problem. 3. Disconnecting the cables at the back of the K3 - line in, line out, PTT. This solves the problem and I again receive reports of great audio as I always have. It seems like the above symptoms could indicate an RF in the shack problem though I have not had any RF problems in the past. My K-Line (K3, P3, KPA500) is all connected together with grounding strap, however the SignalLink box has no grounding port, so it is not connected to the other equipment other than with the signal and PTT cables, nor is my computer connected to the K-Line with grounding strap since it is about five feet away from the K-Line. My CONFIG: LIN OUT setting on the K3 is NOR 010, and I am running the latest firmware, 4.83/2.82. I hope there is a simple solution to this problem, and while it would be embarrassing, operator error is certainly not out of the question in my mind. I am very new to digital modes and this is my first try with the K3. My last excursion into this domain was in 2009 when I made a few PSK31 QSOs with my TS-850 and Digipan. Thanks for your help. Stan - K6VWE __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
What is your MAIN:MIC+LIN set to? It sounds as if it may be set to ON, so that you are getting audio input from both the microphone and the Line In jack. In your setup, MAIN:MIC+LIN should be OFF. When the radio is in Data mode (DATA A or AFSK A), MAIN:MIC SEL should be set to LINE IN to select the SignaLink input and mute the microphone input. In Data modes, the MIC control on the K3's front panel changes its function to act as a Line In level control. Changing MAIN:MIC SEL in Data mode will not change its setting in SSB, and the Line In level setting of the MIC control will not affect the Mic gain setting for SSB. In SSB, MAIN:MIC SEL will still select the correct microphone input and mute the Line In input provided MAIN:MIC+LIN is set to OFF. The fact that you are having audio problems with the audio and PTT cables connected to the K3 but disconnected at the far end does suggest that the audio cables may be acting as antennas and picking up RF. If so, this could continue to affect your signals in DATA modes even after you solve your issues in SSB, and you will need to solve that. There are others who are better qualified than I am to deal with that kind of issue, but one possibility is that you may have common-mode RF on your feedline that is being picked up by the audio or PTT cables. 73, Rich VE3KI K6VWE wrote: I am using a SignalLink USB interface to my K3 with the cables provided by Tigertronics, and the FLDIGI software. The cables from the SignalLink are plugged into line in, line out and PTT on the back of the K3. Things seem to work fine in digital modes, although I have actually only tried the combination on PSK31. When I switch to SSB, however, I am getting reports of distorted audio, and when I monitor my audio I can hear it too. One contact said it sounded like the opposite sideband not being suppressed enough and slightly delayed. I have tried the following to solve the audio problem: 1. Turning off the SignalLink when I am in SSB mode. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned distortion, I get an audio tone on my voice signal which can be heard by whomever I am talking to. 2. Disconnecting the cables at the SignalLink but leaving them plugged into line in, line out and PTT at the back of the K3 when in SSB. This does not fix the problem. 3. Disconnecting the cables at the back of the K3 - line in, line out, PTT. This solves the problem and I again receive reports of great audio as I always have. It seems like the above symptoms could indicate an RF in the shack problem though I have not had any RF problems in the past. My K-Line (K3, P3, KPA500) is all connected together with grounding strap, however the SignalLink box has no grounding port, so it is not connected to the other equipment other than with the signal and PTT cables, nor is my computer connected to the K-Line with grounding strap since it is about five feet away from the K-Line. My CONFIG: LIN OUT setting on the K3 is NOR 010, and I am running the latest firmware, 4.83/2.82. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
Hi Stan, I had the same problem; but fixed it by turning ON the SignLink and disconnecting the cable used for updates from your computer..Let me know if that works. 73 ken VE3YK On Saturday, March 15, 2014 3:30:04 PM, Stan Rowe shrt...@chartermi.net wrote: I am using a SignalLink USB interface to my K3 with the cables provided by Tigertronics, and the FLDIGI software. The cables from the SignalLink are plugged into line in, line out and PTT on the back of the K3. Things seem to work fine in digital modes, although I have actually only tried the combination on PSK31. When I switch to SSB, however, I am getting reports of distorted audio, and when I monitor my audio I can hear it too. One contact said it sounded like the opposite sideband not being suppressed enough and slightly delayed. I have tried the following to solve the audio problem: 1. Turning off the SignalLink when I am in SSB mode. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned distortion, I get an audio tone on my voice signal which can be heard by whomever I am talking to. 2. Disconnecting the cables at the SignalLink but leaving them plugged into line in, line out and PTT at the back of the K3 when in SSB. This does not fix the problem. 3. Disconnecting the cables at the back of the K3 - line in, line out, PTT. This solves the problem and I again receive reports of great audio as I always have. It seems like the above symptoms could indicate an RF in the shack problem though I have not had any RF problems in the past. My K-Line (K3, P3, KPA500) is all connected together with grounding strap, however the SignalLink box has no grounding port, so it is not connected to the other equipment other than with the signal and PTT cables, nor is my computer connected to the K-Line with grounding strap since it is about five feet away from the K-Line. My CONFIG: LIN OUT setting on the K3 is NOR 010, and I am running the latest firmware, 4.83/2.82. I hope there is a simple solution to this problem, and while it would be embarrassing, operator error is certainly not out of the question in my mind. I am very new to digital modes and this is my first try with the K3. My last excursion into this domain was in 2009 when I made a few PSK31 QSOs with my TS-850 and Digipan. Thanks for your help. Stan - K6VWE __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
The fact that you are having audio problems with the audio and PTT cables connected to the K3 but disconnected at the far end does suggest that the audio cables may be acting as antennas and picking up RF. Or acting like a counterpoise to place a RF node on the K3. In either case your symptoms are classic for common mode RF on the outside of the feedline. Spend some time learning about proper antenna balance and eliminating the common mode issue rather than chase ways to hide it. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/15/2014 4:03 PM, Richard Ferch wrote: What is your MAIN:MIC+LIN set to? It sounds as if it may be set to ON, so that you are getting audio input from both the microphone and the Line In jack. In your setup, MAIN:MIC+LIN should be OFF. When the radio is in Data mode (DATA A or AFSK A), MAIN:MIC SEL should be set to LINE IN to select the SignaLink input and mute the microphone input. In Data modes, the MIC control on the K3's front panel changes its function to act as a Line In level control. Changing MAIN:MIC SEL in Data mode will not change its setting in SSB, and the Line In level setting of the MIC control will not affect the Mic gain setting for SSB. In SSB, MAIN:MIC SEL will still select the correct microphone input and mute the Line In input provided MAIN:MIC+LIN is set to OFF. The fact that you are having audio problems with the audio and PTT cables connected to the K3 but disconnected at the far end does suggest that the audio cables may be acting as antennas and picking up RF. If so, this could continue to affect your signals in DATA modes even after you solve your issues in SSB, and you will need to solve that. There are others who are better qualified than I am to deal with that kind of issue, but one possibility is that you may have common-mode RF on your feedline that is being picked up by the audio or PTT cables. 73, Rich VE3KI K6VWE wrote: I am using a SignalLink USB interface to my K3 with the cables provided by Tigertronics, and the FLDIGI software. The cables from the SignalLink are plugged into line in, line out and PTT on the back of the K3. Things seem to work fine in digital modes, although I have actually only tried the combination on PSK31. When I switch to SSB, however, I am getting reports of distorted audio, and when I monitor my audio I can hear it too. One contact said it sounded like the opposite sideband not being suppressed enough and slightly delayed. I have tried the following to solve the audio problem: 1. Turning off the SignalLink when I am in SSB mode. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned distortion, I get an audio tone on my voice signal which can be heard by whomever I am talking to. 2. Disconnecting the cables at the SignalLink but leaving them plugged into line in, line out and PTT at the back of the K3 when in SSB. This does not fix the problem. 3. Disconnecting the cables at the back of the K3 - line in, line out, PTT. This solves the problem and I again receive reports of great audio as I always have. It seems like the above symptoms could indicate an RF in the shack problem though I have not had any RF problems in the past. My K-Line (K3, P3, KPA500) is all connected together with grounding strap, however the SignalLink box has no grounding port, so it is not connected to the other equipment other than with the signal and PTT cables, nor is my computer connected to the K-Line with grounding strap since it is about five feet away from the K-Line. My CONFIG: LIN OUT setting on the K3 is NOR 010, and I am running the latest firmware, 4.83/2.82. __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 with SignalLink - Distorted audio in SSB
I have to agree with Joe, and I want to amplify on that subject. I often hear of hams solving similar problems with clamp-on ferrites mounted in various places. That does not solve the basic problem of RF floating around in the shack, and once you have fixed one problem with the ferrites, another situation crops up giving different symptoms and affecting another function of the station. The real cure is to fix it in the antenna system. That usually means a good common mode choke at the feedpoint of each antenna, and if the feedline does not run away at right angles from the radiator for at least 1/4 wavelength, the energy from the radiator may be coupled back onto the outside of the feedline despite having a common mode choke at the antenna feedpoint. In that case, a 2nd common mode choke outside the entry point to the shack will be necessary (on each feedline). Good and effective common mode chokes are difficult to buy commercially, but take a look at the RFI information by Jim Brown K9YC http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf to see how you can easily construct effective chokes by winding your coax through a stack of FT240-31 ferrite toroid cores. Note: contrary to common wisdom (the shield is 'grounded'), vertical antennas often need this treatment more than balanced horizontal antennas. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/15/2014 5:14 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: The fact that you are having audio problems with the audio and PTT cables connected to the K3 but disconnected at the far end does suggest that the audio cables may be acting as antennas and picking up RF. Or acting like a counterpoise to place a RF node on the K3. In either case your symptoms are classic for common mode RF on the outside of the feedline. Spend some time learning about proper antenna balance and eliminating the common mode issue rather than chase ways to hide it. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/15/2014 4:03 PM, Richard Ferch wrote: What is your MAIN:MIC+LIN set to? It sounds as if it may be set to ON, so that you are getting audio input from both the microphone and the Line In jack. In your setup, MAIN:MIC+LIN should be OFF. When the radio is in Data mode (DATA A or AFSK A), MAIN:MIC SEL should be set to LINE IN to select the SignaLink input and mute the microphone input. In Data modes, the MIC control on the K3's front panel changes its function to act as a Line In level control. Changing MAIN:MIC SEL in Data mode will not change its setting in SSB, and the Line In level setting of the MIC control will not affect the Mic gain setting for SSB. In SSB, MAIN:MIC SEL will still select the correct microphone input and mute the Line In input provided MAIN:MIC+LIN is set to OFF. The fact that you are having audio problems with the audio and PTT cables connected to the K3 but disconnected at the far end does suggest that the audio cables may be acting as antennas and picking up RF. If so, this could continue to affect your signals in DATA modes even after you solve your issues in SSB, and you will need to solve that. There are others who are better qualified than I am to deal with that kind of issue, but one possibility is that you may have common-mode RF on your feedline that is being picked up by the audio or PTT cables. 73, Rich VE3KI K6VWE wrote: I am using a SignalLink USB interface to my K3 with the cables provided by Tigertronics, and the FLDIGI software. The cables from the SignalLink are plugged into line in, line out and PTT on the back of the K3. Things seem to work fine in digital modes, although I have actually only tried the combination on PSK31. When I switch to SSB, however, I am getting reports of distorted audio, and when I monitor my audio I can hear it too. One contact said it sounded like the opposite sideband not being suppressed enough and slightly delayed. I have tried the following to solve the audio problem: 1. Turning off the SignalLink when I am in SSB mode. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned distortion, I get an audio tone on my voice signal which can be heard by whomever I am talking to. 2. Disconnecting the cables at the SignalLink but leaving them plugged into line in, line out and PTT at the back of the K3 when in SSB. This does not fix the problem. 3. Disconnecting the cables at the back of the K3 - line in, line out, PTT. This solves the problem and I again receive reports of great audio as I always have. It seems like the above symptoms could indicate an RF in the shack problem though I have not had any RF problems in the past. My K-Line (K3, P3, KPA500) is all connected together with grounding strap, however the SignalLink box has no grounding port, so it is not connected to the other equipment other than with the signal and PTT cables, nor is my computer connected to the K-Line with grounding strap since it is about five feet away from the K-Line. My CONFIG: LIN OUT setting on the K3 is NOR 010, and I am running the latest firmware,
