Re: [Elecraft] PSK31 Power Level
- Original Message - From: "Parker Buckley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I've read numerous places about setting the power level (mine is a QRP K2) to five watts for continuous use like PSK. For PSK & digital in general your aim must always be a pure signal, that is: * No audio compression (feed radio via the accessory or data socket), * No ALC, * No ALC, * No ALC. To ensure best linearity I suggest you set your Power level on the K2 (or any other radio) to the max, then adjust power out using the soundcard controls (some PSK programs have soundcard adjustment built-in). Although you could run 10 watts, it's essential that you monitor ALC at all times. Myself I would adjust the soundcard input so that you are running 5 watts while idling, a few more watts will not bring much improvement. FWIW when you have ALC indicated your signal will be harder to decode and you may well be wiping out the band. I've seen a FT-817 user with a PSK signal 500 Hz wide due to overdriving the radio. Simon HB9DRV ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] PSK31 Power Level
I am glad Parker asked the question. I have a k2/100 and for PSK have been setting the power level at 25 watts as displayed on the K2 readout. I do have a small blower mounted under a shelf over the K2/100---probably not necessary, but, as we all know, heat is the culprit for reducing MTBF's. Also, why should there be any difference in power out for single tone or a PSK signal? Thanks, Don, for your comments. 73, Lowell, W5FH - Original Message - From: "Parker Buckley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "W3FPR - Don Wilhelm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 5:02 PM Subject: [Elecraft] PSK31 Power Level Elecrafters, Don has been coaching me off-list through installation of one of his fixed audio output kits, which I've had around here for many months, un-built. All went well, except the audio through my computer was distorted. I eventually tracked it down to the K2 DSP gains being set too high. I was getting away with that in the basic K2, but the fixed audio unit doesn't like being pushed that hard. I've now carefully reset the DSP gains to get the same audio level with DSP and with DSP bypassed. Everything is working great. I'm now reminded of a nagging question since the last time I strayed from CW to PSK 31. I've read numerous places about setting the power level (mine is a QRP K2) to five watts for continuous use like PSK. Does that mean five watts for single tone like CW, or five watts average as the two tones warble back and forth? I'm using a WM-2 wattmeter in the output. Running about 10 watts single tone, I get about five watts warbling and a single ALC bar flickering. Is this okay, or should I back it down to five watts single tone? I thought this question might be of interest to a wider audience. Parker WD8JOL K2 #2636 ...back to work tomorrow, and peace for Don. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/700 - Release Date: 2/24/2007 8:14 PM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] PSK31 Power Level
Elecrafters, Don has been coaching me off-list through installation of one of his fixed audio output kits, which I've had around here for many months, un-built. All went well, except the audio through my computer was distorted. I eventually tracked it down to the K2 DSP gains being set too high. I was getting away with that in the basic K2, but the fixed audio unit doesn't like being pushed that hard. I've now carefully reset the DSP gains to get the same audio level with DSP and with DSP bypassed. Everything is working great. I'm now reminded of a nagging question since the last time I strayed from CW to PSK 31. I've read numerous places about setting the power level (mine is a QRP K2) to five watts for continuous use like PSK. Does that mean five watts for single tone like CW, or five watts average as the two tones warble back and forth? I'm using a WM-2 wattmeter in the output. Running about 10 watts single tone, I get about five watts warbling and a single ALC bar flickering. Is this okay, or should I back it down to five watts single tone? I thought this question might be of interest to a wider audience. Parker WD8JOL K2 #2636 ...back to work tomorrow, and peace for Don. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
