How to adjust transmitter level for PSK-31 Ham Radio

[@uploadJ]

Nice demo; It was a great idea using a second radio set to receive the transmitted signal to show how IMD (Inter-Modulation Distortion) W-I-D-E-N-S the transmitted spectrum thereby clobbering the adjacent signals!

[@glmemory]

Two points, but first of all, great video. TKS! First, the reason ALC is kicking in before "full power" is indicated is because of the difference between Peak and Average power. You are putting out full power just before ALC kicks in, even tho you don't see it on the meter. Second, I use an audio pad between the computer and the rig which allows me to operate audio more toward the linear region of the sound card (and it gives me a wider range to fine tune the audio level). 73!

[@messabout1]

Great job Randy. Makes me want to get back on PSK on the bands. Richard WA4NWW

[@bixanorak]

Hi again Andy. Just came here from your fine DigiPan introductory video. This video here is also excellent & have learned much more. Have even checked the IMD figure from my TS590s using a nearby txcvr, so I can avoid excessive bandwidth - probably a pitfall for many beginners like me! Again 73, and thanks a lot. Norman, G4LQF.

[@ArnoldKnoche]

Excellent. Thank you for these PSK31 videos Randy. 73, Arnold, K5ADA

[@2M0JAS]

I've been following all your videos concerning PSK31. Very informative and a great guide for hams new to this digi mode. Keep up the great work Randy! 73's Stuart 2M0JAS

[@K7AGE]

Glad to hear that you are a new psk operator. I want to make one more psk video, operating. Then on to some other topics. Enjoy and be radio active. Randy

[@K5EXX]

Excellent video Randy, keep em coming and we will keep watching! Mark, K5EXX SE Texas

[@K7AGE]

@insideofitall You can still have distortion even with low power. The distortion comes from over driving the system. Set the audio level, raise it and watch the power out. When you see power out not increasing, back of the audio level a bit. Try a qso and ask if you signal is clean.

[@GeezerDust]

Very helpful information. May be setting up PSK31 soon and this will help me do it right. Thanks, Mike KQ4IZ

[@K7AGE]

@lioii I would think no. FSK is for RTTY, and it is not dependent on audio levels from the pc. I think you need to be in the mode that the sound card is feeding the radio and adjust the audio level so that you are not over driving the radio.

[@blaster454]

Again, a very nice, clear video explanation. Congrats and keep up the good work. 73, Larry - NK2X

[@K7AGE]

Gee, I see from the comments, that this video has already been seen around the world. Neat. Lets try for DXCC in comments. Randy

[@K7AGE]

Thanks, the various different meters does confuse people, plus radios also react differently. I hope that most that view are able to get the audio set low enough so not to be wide across the band! Randy

[@g7waw]

Hi Randy have enjoyed all your videos looking forward to the next. 73s g7waw

[@m0sjd]

Another very helpful video Randy please keep up the good work when time allows,73, m0sjd steve.

[@dash8brj]

Interesting video Randy. Looking forward to playing with PSK when I get my standard ticket (VK)

[@PHRANQ2K2]

Enlightening! Great for newcomers to digital modes. Thanks Randy. 73 de OA4CKN

[@leemer12]

I usually set mine up by the forward output and make that needle bounce as much as possible it will hit 100watts sometimes but, not all the time! when no text is going thru it should be at least 25% weaker than pep. bpsk31 is not 100% duty but, pretty close. in mixw there is a neat feature for audio levels called Amplitude level for this mode. set to 1.000, 1.000 is full output audio set to around maybe .3 to start and see if you can hit 100 watts. continued

[@K7AGE]

@MM6ISM The video may be couple of years old, but just a valid today as when I posted the video. Randy

[@kc9mav]

Well you get chicago illinois now so I think worked all states and worked all counties. This so intersting.

[@K7AGE]

@mactivist I believe on the K3 you set it for a number of bars, as stated in the manual. Get on the air and ask if your signal looks clean. Randy

[@Brubru54]

Hi!K7AGE, Very helpful vidéo.Hope to copy you again in BPSK. 73,F4DNP Bruno in France.

[@liudas5377]

Just started today - thanks for the video - very helpful - KB9JZK

[@g0tmx]

As always.... very good!

[@thekid765]

Good Video Randy. 73,Curtis KI6ESK

[@leemer12]

that way it would be hard to mess up the audio settings in the mixer program just keep it full blast all the time. I also recommend getting a 2nd pci sound card so windows and webpages sounds don't get transmitted out. That way you can jam to music while in QSO with your friend on psk .. Hope that helps as well , tnx for the vid 73 to all

[@DaveKrans]

Good job Randy! 73's Dave AD9Z

[@greggaieck4808]

K7AGE your ham shack is cool 🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@richardwright1819]

in windows 10, my on board sound card doesn't have the wave slider. it only has playback and recording sliders, using signalink usb usb interface. wonder why 10 doesnt have the wave slider

[@K7AGE]

You watch the power output and the ALC meter. I used a second radio to show you what happens with too much drive. Randy

[@insideofitall]

Thanks for the video! I just got the FT-817ND and am setting it up so this is a big help. One quick question. If the IMD is okay, and you're not at full-power on the rig (maybe 2 or 3 watts or something like that), is it fine to have a couple of bars on the ALC? Since these rigs are low power as it is, I want to get as much out as possible without distorting or worrying about my finals.

[@K7AGE]

Sounds like you are using VOX to key the transmitter. The audio may be just a bit different on 40. Try tweaking the level up a bit from the computer, and reduce the audio gain on the transmitter. Or, if there is a VOX gain setting, tweak that a bit.

[@poac]

Very nice video from you as all other your videos. 73 Kimmo OH7FDN

[@K7AGE]

@andypanda758 Always good to test into a dummy load.

[@PrescottFlyer]

Hi Randy, I just got a K3 and a MicroKeyer II. The MK2 setup instructions have you adjust the ALC so about 5 bars are showing (7 bars is max). Does this sound right to you for PSK? Thanks for the videos! Jeff, W6UX

[@K7AGE]

have fun!

[@leemer12]

yea that is one of the big myths out there about strong bpsk signals. no matter what power setting you are at you can have a dirty signal. Some things I seen out there that can cause some problems is ground loops, a sound card with high THD% , EMI from other equipment or AC lines, RFI from the actual transmitter getting into the audio lines or chassis. one thing I found on some rigs out there is that the ALC meter will read wrong somtimes.continued

[@K7AGE]

DO IT, be radio active. Randy

[@MathewPendleton]

who's learning this for the first time in 2020?

[@simonworger]

Hi, I'm using an 817 with a ZLP sc interface when I click tune it keys the radio and if I adjust the alc to no bars then it doesn't key the radio ? Also where is the TR button you mention ? Thanks.

[@K7AGE]

@Aviator14 I have heard of guys doing this. Not the best, but it can work.

[@lioii]

On my TS-850 I tune up in FSK mode ensuring no ALC and I set my output power, usually around 40w. I then switch to USB and start playing PSK. Is this the correct procedure??

[@xe1yjs]

Very interesting video. Thank you Randy. XE1YJS

[@andypanda758]

Great training .Ineed lots of help ,sorry.WELL DO I NEED TO HAVE A WORKING ANTENNA OR CAN I USE A DUMMY LOAD TO RECIEVE.,OR DO I NEED ONE AT ALLthanks KG4EWH.

[@mykenwood830]

how the heck do you set this up with windows 8.1 ? I have the Signalink USB. Worked great when I used Windows XP But nopw I have Windows 8.1 so help me !!

[@Satchmoeddie]

+mykenwood830 TRY "FLDIGI". I have to keep reloading digipan with Windows 10 too. The audio keeps going out on "Digipan", and it won't come back until I reload it. I can unplug the speaker jack, hit CQ TX, hear a pop, and then nothing comes out. FLDigi has probably 200 different types of digital modes from MFSK-31, QPSK31, Hellschreiber, CW, Olivia, Domino, Throb, THOR, RTTY, Weatherfax, Contestia, MFSK, MT-XX, etc. It has some super fast freq & phase shift modes, and some really slow narrow band modes that will transmit through mud. When I tried the "help" button for Digipan it went nowhere, telling me it has been orphaned, forgotten and FLDigi is the new "in thing" now.

[@YO3DLK]

Hi Randy! Great video. Alex YO3DLK

[@theodoresears4679]

If 11 meter citzen band transceiver could have the modulation control. lots of trucker have better signal.

[@SteelWolf13]

ARG! Mic is to close to the nose.