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Signalink = fantastic…getting it to work….frustrating
24 November 2011 | by 
This week has been dedicated to setting up for the CQ WW DX CW contest this weekend. Making sure the contest logger works (N1MM), try out the CW macros along with the K3, test out the antenna on all the bands and finally make up some goals. I find by doing some prep work before the contest Murphy does not rear his head as often during the contest. Early last week my Tigertronics Signalink USB came in and it was my ticket to get into the digital world. Years ago I had a Yaesu FT-1000MP MKV I had the Rigblaster Pro along side it. I dabbled in PSK and was into RTTY contesting at that time. I had hopes of setting things up and getting on the surf board of Digital communications last weekend. Well that dream was short lived, the memories came back of sound card setup, adjusting the ALC level and basically getting everything just right for the digital engine to purrrr. Over the weekend the setup was not purrrring at all it was more of a hisssssss. The connections between my K3 and Signalink were smooth going. The PC recognized the on board sound card in the Signalink. At first I ran into some trouble setting up the CAT connection between the K3 and software (Ham radio delux's digital master 780) I was able to decode PSK signals with Digital Master, in transmit with the K3 set at 100 watts I was able to use the TX control on the Signalink to raise the output power to what I wanted (5 watts). The unresolved problem is I am not able to get any ALC reading on the K3. I know the ALC is very important to a clean signal. I have given up trying to solve this problem at this time. I am as I said concentrating on the CQ WW DX CW contest.
4 Responses to “Signalink = fantastic…getting it to work….frustrating”
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You actually want there to be no ALC reading. In fact, it would be nearly impossible for the ALC to engage while transmitting at 5 watts on a 100 watt rig (with the rig set to 100 watts). Sounds like your setup is fine.
Good evening Paul and thanks for your comment and stopping by the blog. When I crank the power up to 50 watts or more there is still no ALC indication. I was hoping as the power was raised to that level I would get some ALC.
Mike
ALC is what you DO NOT Want. I run a TS 480 at 40-50 watts with NO ALC.You will get a clean signal and no splatter with no ALC. The splatter that happens on PSk in ops running a wide signal with ALC on their rigs
73
Howard KC2TYZ
ps I have over 800 PSK contacts.
Good morning Howard, thanks for taking the time to stop by and checking out the blog. Again this is good news and I am glad I posted this problem if not I would had been trying to do something I shouldn’t.
Mike