Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.comwrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
Not had any complains on my end. I have had my Flex-1500 for about 3 years now. I do a lot QRP digital woke, lately a lot ALE . Rick Kd4jrx FM14 -- From: Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 1:59 PM To: Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
I've had my 1500 for 3 years too and never a problem. It has it's own bare dedicated computer. Depending on the software version you are using Sent from my iPhone On Oct 18, 2013, at 1:41 PM, ric5 r...@earthlink.net wrote: Not had any complains on my end. I have had my Flex-1500 for about 3 years now. I do a lot QRP digital woke, lately a lot ALE . Rick Kd4jrx FM14 -- From: Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 1:59 PM To: Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
Sorry. Fat fingers. Version 2.6.4 allows different settings for different functions. Check your settings across bands and see if, band by band, they are what you want. Also the factory settings for FHM-1 and FHM-DX are quite different. Using one mic for rag chewing on one band and DXing on another could require some adjustments. I had to adjust factory settings on each mic for my voice to achieve the '0 dB' settings on mic, ALC, etc. It also might be that one band's antenna is closer to your shack than another and inducing RF into the audio chain on one band versus the other. It isn't logical that splatter should be on one band and not another. It has to be either different band settings, switching mic parameters but not noticing it (I've done than once), or RF, IMHO. Bob Sent from my iPhone On Oct 18, 2013, at 1:41 PM, ric5 r...@earthlink.net wrote: Not had any complains on my end. I have had my Flex-1500 for about 3 years now. I do a lot QRP digital woke, lately a lot ALE . Rick Kd4jrx FM14 -- From: Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 1:59 PM To: Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
Another possibility: The load presented to the transmitter may (probably) is different band to band. This is a problem for solid state amplifiers that are designed for a 50 ohm load. If the load is higher than 50 ohms, the transmitter output is undercoupled and will produce more IMD with the resulting splatter at lower than rated output. Do you use a tuner on each band to ensure the transmitter sees a 50 ohm load, i.e. 1:1 SWR? Is the splatter at lower power on a band where the antenna has a poor SWR? Chuck K1KW - Original Message - From: Robert Logan bob.loga...@yahoo.com To: ric5 r...@earthlink.net Cc: Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 6:02 PM Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands Sorry. Fat fingers. Version 2.6.4 allows different settings for different functions. Check your settings across bands and see if, band by band, they are what you want. Also the factory settings for FHM-1 and FHM-DX are quite different. Using one mic for rag chewing on one band and DXing on another could require some adjustments. I had to adjust factory settings on each mic for my voice to achieve the '0 dB' settings on mic, ALC, etc. It also might be that one band's antenna is closer to your shack than another and inducing RF into the audio chain on one band versus the other. It isn't logical that splatter should be on one band and not another. It has to be either different band settings, switching mic parameters but not noticing it (I've done than once), or RF, IMHO. Bob Sent from my iPhone On Oct 18, 2013, at 1:41 PM, ric5 r...@earthlink.net wrote: Not had any complains on my end. I have had my Flex-1500 for about 3 years now. I do a lot QRP digital woke, lately a lot ALE . Rick Kd4jrx FM14 -- From: Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 1:59 PM To: Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
When I set up my Flex on psk31, etc. there was a writeup on the knowledge base or wiki on how to set up for digital modes. Key point was that you left the drive at 100% and LOWERED the VAC to no more than -6db, never as high as 0db. As explained, 0 db on the ALC was where the digital audio chain flat-topped which creates copious amounts of IMD. If you set at 0db ALC, you will distort because it has no more headroom if it goes +0.1db. You won't see it on the screen meter (insufficient significant digits) but others will hear it. Also, mic gain, equalizers and other tools in the microphone audio chain are not in the VAC audio chain. Only the limiters and ALC. Straight through. Oh, one area I also had problem with IMD. Your psk31 app and the FLEX VAC input should be set at the same bit width and data rate. Otherwise your 3rd party virtual audio cable software must convert from one format to another, introducing distortion, instead of just passing the bit stream unmodified. Set up right, Flex radios have a good reputation for being pretty clean in the digital modes. Steve WA7DUH On 10/18/2013 10:59 AM, Mark Griffith wrote: Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
Well said Steve. I don't think anyone at Flex is paying any attention to the post any more On 10/18/2013 7:01 PM, Steve Sterling wrote: When I set up my Flex on psk31, etc. there was a writeup on the knowledge base or wiki on how to set up for digital modes. Key point was that you left the drive at 100% and LOWERED the VAC to no more than -6db, never as high as 0db. As explained, 0 db on the ALC was where the digital audio chain flat-topped which creates copious amounts of IMD. If you set at 0db ALC, you will distort because it has no more headroom if it goes +0.1db. You won't see it on the screen meter (insufficient significant digits) but others will hear it. Also, mic gain, equalizers and other tools in the microphone audio chain are not in the VAC audio chain. Only the limiters and ALC. Straight through. Oh, one area I also had problem with IMD. Your psk31 app and the FLEX VAC input should be set at the same bit width and data rate. Otherwise your 3rd party virtual audio cable software must convert from one format to another, introducing distortion, instead of just passing the bit stream unmodified. Set up right, Flex radios have a good reputation for being pretty clean in the digital modes. Steve WA7DUH On 10/18/2013 10:59 AM, Mark Griffith wrote: Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
You do know that Graham works for Flex, don't you? 73 -Original Message- From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Jerry Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 7:25 PM To: Steve Sterling; Flex-Radio E-Mail Reflector Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands Well said Steve. I don't think anyone at Flex is paying any attention to the post any more On 10/18/2013 7:01 PM, Steve Sterling wrote: When I set up my Flex on psk31, etc. there was a writeup on the knowledge base or wiki on how to set up for digital modes. Key point was that you left the drive at 100% and LOWERED the VAC to no more than -6db, never as high as 0db. As explained, 0 db on the ALC was where the digital audio chain flat-topped which creates copious amounts of IMD. If you set at 0db ALC, you will distort because it has no more headroom if it goes +0.1db. You won't see it on the screen meter (insufficient significant digits) but others will hear it. Also, mic gain, equalizers and other tools in the microphone audio chain are not in the VAC audio chain. Only the limiters and ALC. Straight through. Oh, one area I also had problem with IMD. Your psk31 app and the FLEX VAC input should be set at the same bit width and data rate. Otherwise your 3rd party virtual audio cable software must convert from one format to another, introducing distortion, instead of just passing the bit stream unmodified. Set up right, Flex radios have a good reputation for being pretty clean in the digital modes. Steve WA7DUH On 10/18/2013 10:59 AM, Mark Griffith wrote: Well, obviously it means 100% power, or 5 watts on this Flex-1500. My concern is, why do I get splatter at 30% power on one band, and no splatter on other bands at 100% power? As for a reference, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm asking if other Flex-1500 owners have similar problems. Mark KD0QYN On Friday, October 18, 2013 8:59 AM, Graham Haddock gra...@flexradio.com wrote: Mark: What do you think 100 percent of power means on PSK-31? What is the reference for the tests you are running? --- Graham / KE9H == On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 7:08 AM, Mark Griffith mdgriffith2...@yahoo.com wrote: Recently, I was working PSK31 on my Flex-1500 with other stations, and someone came on my frequency and announced in a not very nice way that was I a lid and splattering all over the band. I had not had any comments from anyone I had worked before, so I was a little concerned if he was right. So, I bought the PSKMETER kit and assembled it. After running it and testing my signal, sure enough, I was splattering quite a bit. This surprised me as I set my sound levels using the ALC meter was always 0db or less and yielded full output power. To better get an idea of what was going on, I setup the SDR 2.6.4 two-tone test to output two tones, 31hz apart, like 1000hz and 969hz to simulate the PSK31 signal. Using PSKMETER and a dummy load to limit stray RF signals, I tested on common PSK frequencies on all the bands. All tests were done with no VACs enabled, and just using the internal two-tone test so over driving by another software program was eliminated. Here's what I found: 80m Starts over driving above 40% power 40m Starts over driving above 30% power 30m Starts over driving above 65% power 20m Starts over driving above 85% power 17m Starts over driving above 75% power 15m No over driving at up to 100% power 12m No over driving at up to 100% power 10m Starts over driving above 35% power 6m No over driving at up to 100% power In all cases, the meter for EQ, Mic, Leveler, Lev Gain, ALC, etc never was any other value than zero. I have tried to work with FlexRadio support, and they gave me the run-a-round, saying to try this or thateven to try using the transmit filter to limit the bandwidth I am transmitting to eliminate the splatter. I would like it if they just admit that the hardware is causing the problem, but I have not received any answer to that question. I had the TX/RX board replaced last summer because of an unfortunate lightening strike. I'm wondering if this board is suspect, but they won't answer. Has anyone else seen this issue of over driving on some frequencies with the 1500? Lucky for me I use JT65 and JT9 modes most of the time now, and they are far less susceptible to splatter than PSK, and my QSOs seem to bear out that my 5 watt Flex-1500 and SkyWire antenna work pretty well. I recently made two contacts from Missouri to Western Australia, one on 20 meters and the other on 40 meters, a distance of over 10,000 miles. Mark KD0QYN ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands
You always learn good things from Neal! Lee K9WRU - Original Message - From: Neal Campbell nealk...@gmail.com To: 'Jerry' wa2...@verizon.net; 'Steve Sterling' f...@sgsterling.com; 'Flex-Radio E-Mail Reflector' flexradio@flex-radio.biz Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands You do know that Graham works for Flex, don't you? 73 -Original Message- From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Jerry Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 7:25 PM To: Steve Sterling; Flex-Radio E-Mail Reflector Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 Overdriving in Some Bands ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
