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I finally got vara HF running on Winlink express. However, I dan't get the ALC to the recommended 1/3. ?It hovers around 3/4 on the scale. What might cause this?
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What are you using for a radio and interface?
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-------- Original message -------- From: "RICHARD PLOTKIN via groups.io" <raplotkin@...> Date: 12/9/24 5:26 AM (GMT-05:00) Subject: [VARA-MODEM] Issue with aLC on vara hf
I finally got vara HF running on Winlink express. However, I dan't get the ALC to the recommended 1/3. ?It hovers around 3/4 on the scale. What might cause this?
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Jim, I have a Yaesu FTdx10 and using a PC on Windows 11 with a USB cable to the radio Richard On Dec 9, 2024, at 6:18 AM, Jim Ebner via < n8je@...> wrote:
What are you using for a radio and interface?
-------- Original message -------- Date: 12/9/24 5:26 AM (GMT-05:00) Subject: [VARA-MODEM] Issue with aLC on vara hf
I finally got vara HF running on Winlink express. However, I dan't get the ALC to the recommended 1/3. ?It hovers around 3/4 on the scale. What might cause this?
Richard A. Plotkin
6565 The Masters Ave
Lakewood Ranch, Fl 34202
Cell: ? ? 401-862-4809 KZ4JV
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In Windows go to Settings / Sound. Do this AFTER you have VARA HF open and used it at least once. Look for VARA HF in the applications and adjust the volume slider there. The reason I mention making sure VARA HF is open and have already been used is some apps don't open the audio out device until the first usage. I got burned on this. Once it opens the audio out channel you can then adjust just that app's audio drive. This actually comes in handy with all the digital apps as nearly every one of them has a different drive level. Adjusting this should bring your ALC right into the sweet spot.
?
There is also the legacy Windows 10 sound control panel applet still in Windows 11. Some people find that easier to use. Both accomplish the same task.
?
73
Doug / N3JXB
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Does that radio have a soundcard interface built in?
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-------- Original message -------- From: "RICHARD PLOTKIN via groups.io" <raplotkin@...> Date: 12/9/24 6:20 AM (GMT-05:00) Subject: Re: [VARA-MODEM] Issue with aLC on vara hf
Jim, I have a Yaesu FTdx10 and using a PC on Windows 11 with a USB cable to the radio Richard On Dec 9, 2024, at 6:18 AM, Jim Ebner via < n8je@...> wrote:
What are you using for a radio and interface?
-------- Original message -------- Date: 12/9/24 5:26 AM (GMT-05:00) Subject: [VARA-MODEM] Issue with aLC on vara hf
I finally got vara HF running on Winlink express. However, I dan't get the ALC to the recommended 1/3. ?It hovers around 3/4 on the scale. What might cause this?
Richard A. Plotkin
6565 The Masters Ave
Lakewood Ranch, Fl 34202
Cell: ? ? 401-862-4809 KZ4JV
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Does that radio have a soundcard interface built in?
Yes, it does. It's hard to tell from the manual whether it does or not, but it does.
73, Lee K5DAT
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HI Doug,
My Windows 11 didn’t allow me to go into a sound slider for vara hf. ?There is a sound slider in the sound card settings in vara hf, but moving it doesn't have much effect. ?When using FT8 on WSJT X, I have no problem adjusting the sound with the slider in the program. ?
Richard KZ4JV On Dec 9, 2024, at 10:18, N3JXB (Douglas) via groups.io <n3jxb@...> wrote:
In Windows go to Settings / Sound. Do this AFTER you have VARA HF open and used it at least once. Look for VARA HF in the applications and adjust the volume slider there. The reason I mention making sure VARA HF is open and have already been used is some apps don't open the audio out device until the first usage. I got burned on this. Once it opens the audio out channel you can then adjust just that app's audio drive. This actually comes in handy with all the digital apps as nearly every one of them has a different drive level. Adjusting this should bring your ALC right into the sweet spot.
?
There is also the legacy Windows 10 sound control panel applet still in Windows 11. Some people find that easier to use. Both accomplish the same task.
?
73
Doug / N3JXB
?
Richard A. Plotkin
6565 The Masters Ave
Lakewood Ranch, Fl 34202
Cell: ? ? 401-862-4809 KZ4JV
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On 12/9/2024 11:56 AM, RICHARD PLOTKIN
via groups.io wrote:
HI Doug,
My Windows 11 didn’t allow me to go into a sound slider for
vara hf. ?There is a sound slider in the sound card settings in
vara hf, but moving it doesn't have much effect. ?When using FT8
on WSJT X, I have no problem adjusting the sound with the slider
in the program. ?
Richard
?
Because those programs initialize the sound system as soon as
they start.?? VARA doesn't initialize the sound card (and produce
indications of it's presence in Windows) until the first
transmission.
Stephen H. Smith??? wa8lmf (at) aol.com
Skype:??????? WA8LMF
EchoLink:? Node #? 14400? [Think bottom of the 2-meter band]
Home Page:?????????
30 Meter?? APRS-over VARA? Frequency Change
Coming 1 Jan 2025.?? Details Here:
???? <
- APRS over VARA? --
??
"Studio B" Ham Shack on Wheels
??
-
?
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For what its worth... I don't know why Jose recommends 1/3 ALC when using VARA HF. I have mine set to 0 ALC while still driving enough audio to achieve the 30 watts the radio is set to, and it works great. I would think that driving the ALC high or too high would be bad for the radio.
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
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The recommended ALC level for digital modes will vary by radio manufacturer and possibly by model.? The manual that comes with the radio should be your 'bible' for setting ALC levels for digital modes on that radio.
For example, for Elecraft radios, the recommended ALC level for digital modes is a solid 4 bars, with the 5th bar flickering.? Anything much less than that will cause the radio to 'power seek' (wander up and down).
Again, please ignore anyone that tells you what the 'correct' ALC level is and ALWAYS refer to your radio manual for the proper level.
73,
-- Dave, N8SBE, Hamshack Hotline 590-0971, HamsOverIP 101018, AmateurWire 1348
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On 2024-12-09 17:01, John Denison via groups.io wrote:
For what its worth... I don't know why Jose recommends 1/3 ALC when using VARA HF. I have mine set to 0 ALC while still driving enough audio to achieve the 30 watts the radio is set to, and it works great. I would think that driving the ALC high or too high would be bad for the radio.
?
73
John Denison
KD5YOU
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I agree with Dave. My ft991a yaesu has never run digital (varaHF, FT8 etc) well at low alc. My sweet spot for stable PO has always been around 7 adjusted with digital gain! Using that for years. Anything less not optimal for this rig.
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Steve K5CFE
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This is all very interesting. ?I am operating with the Yaesu FTdx10. ?When on FT8 with WSJT X, I am able to adjust the ALC to wherever I wish it tore. ?Generally, I keep it below half but above 1/3 and that seems to be the best area. ?On the other hand, with vara HF I am not able to adjust the ALC very well. ?It just remains around 3/4 give or take no matter what I do. Hmmm! Richard KZ4JV On Dec 10, 2024, at 07:12, Steve K5CFE via groups.io <cyberpi@...> wrote:
I agree with Dave. My ft991a yaesu has never run digital (varaHF, FT8 etc) well at low alc. My sweet spot for stable PO has always been around 7 adjusted with digital gain! Using that for years. Anything less not optimal for this rig.
?
Steve K5CFE
Richard A. Plotkin
6565 The Masters Ave
Lakewood Ranch, Fl 34202
Cell: ? ? 401-862-4809 KZ4JV
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On your sound settings in windows check and make sure your speakers and mike are set for 0.0db and that you do not have any enhancements set. Also make sure that your AGC is not ticked also.?
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73,
Jim, N8JE
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I had the same issue with Vara HF on my Icom 7300.? I had to use the mic gain control on my radio to change the ALC. Maybe not the way it is supposed to work, but it did for me. Just a thought.?
On Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 10:20 AM, RICHARD PLOTKIN via groups.io <raplotkin@...> wrote:
This is all very interesting. ?I am operating with the Yaesu FTdx10. ?When on FT8 with WSJT X, I am able to adjust the ALC to wherever I wish it tore. ?Generally, I keep it below half but above 1/3 and that seems to be the best area. ?On the other hand, with vara HF I am not able to adjust the ALC very well. ?It just remains around 3/4 give or take no matter what I do. Hmmm!Richard KZ4JV On Dec 10, 2024, at 07:12, Steve K5CFE via groups.io <cyberpi@...> wrote:
I agree with Dave. My ft991a yaesu has never run digital (varaHF, FT8 etc) well at low alc. My sweet spot for stable PO has always been around 7 adjusted with digital gain! Using that for years. Anything less not optimal for this rig.
?
Steve K5CFE
Richard A. Plotkin
6565 The Masters Ave
Lakewood Ranch, Fl 34202
Cell: ? ? 401-862-4809 KZ4JV
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Going to Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC version may solve some the of these sound setting issues.? Don't know, but that version description suggests more stability, and fewer operator restrictions.? Need some OS wizzard comments here.? Phil?
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Jim Ebner
Steve K5CFE