Re: Adjusting Volume into the radio for FT8 on an FT-818
Rod
?That 'volume level' in FT-8 is the actual audio level coming from your radio, out of the Accessories socket. IIRC, it is a fixed level of 600mV, so you need an interface between the radio and the PC to with a Rx level control to be able to drop the Rx audio level. Hope that helps...
Bruce? VK2EM
------ Original Message ------
Date 9/05/2022 7:43:42 PM
Subject Re: [ft817] Adjusting Volume into the radio for FT8 on an FT-818
I don't know the apple world very well, but I'm sure you can regulate the input level. Maybe there is a sort of AGC or gain is too high. I suggest having an external?sound interface for digital mode, if you use the PC for other jobs besides the radio.
Il giorno lun 9 mag 2022 alle ore 11:35 Luis Miguel Casta?eda < octabod@...> ha scritto:
Agreed.
Also check the external soundcard levels in the OS, utility, or
device panel. Sometimes the gain/volume is cranked up by default.
On Monday, May 09 2022, 11:15:23, Borja Marcos wrote:
>> On 9 May 2022, at 05:11, Rod Murray VA3MZD <va3mzd@...>
>> wrote:
>>
>> When using FT-8, the Volume is almost always in the red zone.
>> No matter what I adjust, I can't seem to find middle
>> ground. The Sound
>> settings in my Mac are either too low, or too high. Again, no
>> middle
>> ground. Any suggestions to get it into the Green more
>> consistently?
>
> Narrow band digital modes are special beasts. So special gain
> treatment is
> needed.
>
> The WSJT manual recommends the optimum way to adjust it, which
> is:
>
> - On a FT-817 enable ¡°IPO¡± which reduces gain in the mixer,
> hence reduces
> distortion.
>
> - Disable AGC. It makes no sense for narrow digital modes
> actually.
>
> - Use RF gain to achieve an optimum S/N ratio checking the WSJT
> meter. It should
> be in the green zone.
>
> As for the volume, control it checking the input level meter in
> the operating
> system making sure you don¡¯t get digital clipping.
>
>
> For these digital modes proper gain staging is critical.
>
>
> 73,
>
>
> Borja EA2EKH
>
>
>
>
>
--
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
? --- Aldous Huxley
|
Re: Adjusting Volume into the radio for FT8 on an FT-818
I don't know the apple world very well, but I'm sure you can regulate the input level. Maybe there is a sort of AGC or gain is too high. I suggest having an external?sound interface for digital mode, if you use the PC for other jobs besides the radio.
Il giorno lun 9 mag 2022 alle ore 11:35 Luis Miguel Casta?eda < octabod@...> ha scritto:
Agreed.
Also check the external soundcard levels in the OS, utility, or
device panel. Sometimes the gain/volume is cranked up by default.
On Monday, May 09 2022, 11:15:23, Borja Marcos wrote:
>> On 9 May 2022, at 05:11, Rod Murray VA3MZD <va3mzd@...>
>> wrote:
>>
>> When using FT-8, the Volume is almost always in the red zone.
>> No matter what I adjust, I can't seem to find middle
>> ground. The Sound
>> settings in my Mac are either too low, or too high. Again, no
>> middle
>> ground. Any suggestions to get it into the Green more
>> consistently?
>
> Narrow band digital modes are special beasts. So special gain
> treatment is
> needed.
>
> The WSJT manual recommends the optimum way to adjust it, which
> is:
>
> - On a FT-817 enable ¡°IPO¡± which reduces gain in the mixer,
> hence reduces
> distortion.
>
> - Disable AGC. It makes no sense for narrow digital modes
> actually.
>
> - Use RF gain to achieve an optimum S/N ratio checking the WSJT
> meter. It should
> be in the green zone.
>
> As for the volume, control it checking the input level meter in
> the operating
> system making sure you don¡¯t get digital clipping.
>
>
> For these digital modes proper gain staging is critical.
>
>
> 73,
>
>
> Borja EA2EKH
>
>
>
>
>
--
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
? --- Aldous Huxley
|
Re: Adjusting Volume into the radio for FT8 on an FT-818
Agreed. Also check the external soundcard levels in the OS, utility, or device panel. Sometimes the gain/volume is cranked up by default. On Monday, May 09 2022, 11:15:23, Borja Marcos wrote: On 9 May 2022, at 05:11, Rod Murray VA3MZD <va3mzd@...> wrote:
When using FT-8, the Volume is almost always in the red zone.
No matter what I adjust, I can't seem to find middle ground. The Sound
settings in my Mac are either too low, or too high. Again, no middle
ground. Any suggestions to get it into the Green more consistently? Narrow band digital modes are special beasts. So special gain treatment is
needed.
The WSJT manual recommends the optimum way to adjust it, which is:
- On a FT-817 enable ¡°IPO¡± which reduces gain in the mixer, hence reduces
distortion.
- Disable AGC. It makes no sense for narrow digital modes actually.
- Use RF gain to achieve an optimum S/N ratio checking the WSJT meter. It should
be in the green zone.
As for the volume, control it checking the input level meter in the operating
system making sure you don¡¯t get digital clipping.
For these digital modes proper gain staging is critical.
73,
Borja EA2EKH
-- Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. --- Aldous Huxley
|
Re: Adjusting Volume into the radio for FT8 on an FT-818
On 9 May 2022, at 05:11, Rod Murray VA3MZD <va3mzd@...> wrote:
When using FT-8, the Volume is almost always in the red zone.
No matter what I adjust, I can't seem to find middle ground. The Sound settings in my Mac are either too low, or too high. Again, no middle ground. Any suggestions to get it into the Green more consistently? Narrow band digital modes are special beasts. So special gain treatment is needed. The WSJT manual recommends the optimum way to adjust it, which is: - On a FT-817 enable ¡°IPO¡± which reduces gain in the mixer, hence reduces distortion. - Disable AGC. It makes no sense for narrow digital modes actually. - Use RF gain to achieve an optimum S/N ratio checking the WSJT meter. It should be in the green zone. As for the volume, control it checking the input level meter in the operating system making sure you don¡¯t get digital clipping. For these digital modes proper gain staging is critical. 73, Borja EA2EKH
|
Adjusting Volume into the radio for FT8 on an FT-818
When using FT-8, the Volume is almost always in the red zone. No matter what I adjust, I can't seem to find middle ground. The Sound settings in my Mac are either too low, or too high. Again, no middle ground. Any suggestions to get it into the Green more consistently? 
|
Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
Ha, ha, fair enough Simon. I only went on the part numbers you quoted. (HI). ? And indeed they do ¨C ST0 ? 73¡.Eric VK2VE. ?
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Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of simon
Sent: Monday, 2 May 2022 06:56
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ft817] FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?? My bad Eric - meant 4007.
Swap the right hand ends of the two switches in the diagram
(btw these URLs should zoom in on the correct spot in the page, they do using Opera)
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This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
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Re: Battery charging - completion not auto but based on fixed time period?
{sigh}? Yes, it's just by time.? You get to be the "smart charging"
algorithm in judging how long to charge, based primarily on gut
feel.? There is little indication of what the battery's state of
charge is, other than when it's totally flat.? The only saving grace
is that overcharging doesn't damage the battery.? NiMH batteries can
be left on a low charge (c/20 or so) essentially forever.? This is
different from the Lithium-based batteries which must be actively
managed by a BMS to prevent both over and under charging, either of
which can lead to "a bad day".
Greg? KO6TH
g8tzl2004 via groups.io wrote:
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Show quoted text
Does the FT-817 battery pack normally get hot when charging?
I think I read that the charge current is 200mAH? Is this correct?
It appears that you need to select different time periods ie 6
hours, 8 hours etc.
The official time period for a 1400mAh NiMH pack is 8 hours ie 8 *
200 = 1600 but "energy conversion" is not 100% perfect.
What happens if you don't know how fully charged the battery pack
is? A full 8 hours might cook the batteries?
As the battery pack ages, the capacity will probably decline. So
again a fixed 8 hr charge might cook the batteries?
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Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
He doesn't want to transmit, he wants just to receive with it. Most newer radios that I know of have coverage of the 162 MHz weather radio channels. My FT-857, FT-897 and VX-6R all receive in this band.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Mon, May 2, 2022 at 4:05 AM < db9pz@...> wrote: It is a legal amateur radio, not an illegal one! Even when you using the FT-817 for transverter-use, the frequency range should be more then adequate!
Why using an HAM-Radio out of the legal HAM-bands? I see no use for it! (144 to 146MHz in EU ; 144 to 148 in the U.S.)?
And, if it is so, in a case of an emergency, take your 'Bauwaufuang'- Radio, and do your 'illegal call'!?
What do you want to hear on the 'upper frequncies', other than 'no ham-radio' belonged stuff! For me, it is not that interessting! Allways the same, ... !?
It is for Ham-radio use, not for PMR or something else!?
And don't forget, the radio is about 22 years old, and still a 'hot shot' for some OM's/YL's!
No 'cheaper' allmode/allband radio, to buy until now, with a propper preformance! Other competitors are more expensive, or not as good as the trusty (rusty) old "Yaesu FT-817/ND/818".
Mine is more than 21 years old, with a second PA-board. (It was my own mistake! I forgot my battery-pack inside the radio!) and still going strong!?
73 de Markus ; db9pz
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Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
It is a legal amateur radio, not an illegal one! Even when you using the FT-817 for transverter-use, the frequency range should be more then adequate!
Why using an HAM-Radio out of the legal HAM-bands? I see no use for it! (144 to 146MHz in EU ; 144 to 148 in the U.S.)?
And, if it is so, in a case of an emergency, take your 'Bauwaufuang'- Radio, and do your 'illegal call'!?
What do you want to hear on the 'upper frequncies', other than 'no ham-radio' belonged stuff! For me, it is not that interessting! Allways the same, ... !?
It is for Ham-radio use, not for PMR or something else!?
And don't forget, the radio is about 22 years old, and still a 'hot shot' for some OM's/YL's!
No 'cheaper' allmode/allband radio, to buy until now, with a propper preformance! Other competitors are more expensive, or not as good as the trusty (rusty) old "Yaesu FT-817/ND/818".
Mine is more than 21 years old, with a second PA-board. (It was my own mistake! I forgot my battery-pack inside the radio!) and still going strong!?
73 de Markus ; db9pz
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Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
No Worries Martyn, was just curious being an expat from the Uk and why it showed as a reserved call on Ofcom.
Mick SA4MDN
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Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
Mick,
That call sign has an associated DMR ID so presumably is allocated.
We can only assume it's correct unless it's been pirated.
I've asked the chap to use his name and call in his messages.
Thanks for pointing it out though.
Martyn
Admin team.
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Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
My bad Eric - meant 4007.
Swap the right hand ends of the two switches in the diagram
(btw these URLs should zoom in on the correct spot in the page, they do using Opera)
|
Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
The 817 is clearly a fantastic radio...but presumably was there a technical reason for only providing wide RX coverage up to 154 MHz? Otherwise surely coverage up to 175 MHz RX would have been included? UHF coverage is 420 - 470MHz which is the usual UHF wide RX?
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Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
Shows as reserved, Checking Callsign: G8TZL
| Entered callsign: |
G8TZL |
| Callsign Type: |
Full |
| Callsign Notes: |
G8 Originally issued between 1964 and 1981 (Formerly Class B) |
| Country of operation: |
England |
| Ofcom Database Check: |
G8TZL Reserved?(Database updated: Dec 2021) |
| QRZ Directory Check: |
G8TZL not found on? |
Mick SA4MDN
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Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
Cant find G8TZL listed anywhere, is it real?
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Re: FT-817 Function key is in the wrong position - any views?
On Sun, May 1, 2022 at 04:47 AM, g8tzl2004 wrote:
I find it difficult to press the Function key given its location next to the tuning knob.
The Function key should have been located where the Lock key is positioned?
Any views?
Yes, you seem to have a lot of whining about this rig in the last week. If you don't like it then sell it on Ebay to someone who will appreciate it !
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Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
The Yaesu FT-817/818 is a magical collection of features and compromises, for everyone that says "if Yaesu just added this feature, it would be perfect" there are two people ready to proclaim "by adding this feature, Yaesu has ruined this radio!"
Honestly, I suspect (as others noted) that accommodating reception of one piece of spectrum (262 MHz, aka NWS in the US marketto satisfy a subset of the FT-817/818 owners in one market wasn't likely even up for discussion. As much as people like to complain about it, I don't know anyone chose not to buy the FT-817/817 because of the "limited" VHF RX coverage.
Ken, N2VIP
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Show quoted text
On May 1, 2022, at 11:48, Ron Wright via groups.io <lt_wright_flg@...> wrote:
For a backpack radio yes it would be nice for it to go above 154, go at least to 163 so it could receive the weather channels. If someone is out in the boonies monitoring the weather would be needed. But Yaesu chose not to let the FT817 go up into this range. Why, I have no idea.
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Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
Hi Group:
I understand how having a rig that will enable listening to WX radio would save weight while climbing and hiking... but for me, I would rather have a lightweight radio that can be dedicated to that function. ?For example, I have a Midland crank radio that includes a flashlight, AM band, FM band, and WX band. ?So it does multiple duty, and does not impinge on the battery power of the ham rig. ?I also have a Standard C108A HT which runs on two AA cells. ?For light weight and power capability I use lithium primary cells. ?This tiny HT weighs ounces, and receives Air band, WX band and 2M FM.
So I don't miss my 817 not having upper VHF coverage.
73 de Ray
K2ULR
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Wright via groups.io <lt_wright_flg@...>
To: [email protected] < [email protected]>
Sent: Sun, May 1, 2022 12:48 pm
Subject: Re: [ft817] Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
For a backpack radio yes it would be nice for it to go above 154, go at least to 163 so it could receive the weather channels.? If someone is out in the boonies monitoring the weather would be needed.? But Yaesu chose not to let the FT817 go up into this range.? Why, I have no idea.
And many of Yaesu's HTs cover the air craft band in AM mode.? FM HTs having AM.? The FT817/8 has AM for all bands.
73, ron, n9ee/r
Ron Wright, N9EE/R
Hernando Co ARES EC
BSEE
Micro Computer Concepts
Spring Hill, Florida
146.64 repeater, 1100 ft HAAT
352-835-5610
On Sunday, May 1, 2022, 09:38:39 AM EDT, Zack Widup <w9sz.zack@...> wrote:
Or, if you really want to listen in that extended frequency range, get an FT-857D. It isn't all that much bigger than an FT-817, covers that range and has features the FT-817 doesn't have. I find the DSP very useful.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Sun, May 1, 2022 at 1:33 AM JD Erskine VA7OTC via <va7otc= [email protected]> wrote: On 2022.04.30 2232, Ken N2VIP wrote:
> One of the great frustration many US FT-817/818 owners have is that the
> receiver can not pick up the US National Weather Service VHF broadcasts,
> it is a hard limitation of the FT-817/818, the reason for which I can
> only speculate on.
>
> Ken, N2VIP
>
>> On Apr 30, 2022, at 23:20, g8tzl2004 via
>> <g8tzl2004=[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> ?Any reason why the 817 only covers up to 154 MHz rather than 175 MHz?
>>
>> All my other Yaesu VHF radios have 136 - 175 MHz RX ?
>>
>> I guess there must have been a technical issue in going beyond 154 MHz RX?
>>
>> Has anybody modded an 817 to provide RX up to 175 MHz?
Sure,
Environment Canada also has Weather Radio Canada in that range. It's
also the Shore Transmit range for Marine VHF and near to North American
rail frequencies. None of these mean there'd be any need to include them
in a ham rig.
So, Why: it's 1. a ham rig, 2. designed to replace the FT-690, FT-290,
FT-790 -- no need to include anything other than ham radio coverage.,
and lastly, designed in a country, for a world, that has no NOAA/Wx Rdo
Can (other CANUS.)
If you need/want it on/with one radio, try a converter. There used to be
the MFJ-313 VHF Converter. The schematic for the MFJ one is in the Files
area for this list. There are other possibilities to acquiring one,
having one made, making it oneself.
73, John VA7OTC
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Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
For a backpack radio yes it would be nice for it to go above 154, go at least to 163 so it could receive the weather channels.? If someone is out in the boonies monitoring the weather would be needed.? But Yaesu chose not to let the FT817 go up into this range.? Why, I have no idea.
And many of Yaesu's HTs cover the air craft band in AM mode.? FM HTs having AM.? The FT817/8 has AM for all bands.
73, ron, n9ee/r Ron Wright, N9EE/R Hernando Co ARES EC
BSEE Micro Computer Concepts Spring Hill, Florida
146.64 repeater, 1100 ft HAAT 352-835-5610
On Sunday, May 1, 2022, 09:38:39 AM EDT, Zack Widup <w9sz.zack@...> wrote:
Or, if you really want to listen in that extended frequency range, get an FT-857D. It isn't all that much bigger than an FT-817, covers that range and has features the FT-817 doesn't have. I find the DSP very useful.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Sun, May 1, 2022 at 1:33 AM JD Erskine VA7OTC via <va7otc= [email protected]> wrote: On 2022.04.30 2232, Ken N2VIP wrote:
> One of the great frustration many US FT-817/818 owners have is that the
> receiver can not pick up the US National Weather Service VHF broadcasts,
> it is a hard limitation of the FT-817/818, the reason for which I can
> only speculate on.
>
> Ken, N2VIP
>
>> On Apr 30, 2022, at 23:20, g8tzl2004 via
>> <g8tzl2004=[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> ?Any reason why the 817 only covers up to 154 MHz rather than 175 MHz?
>>
>> All my other Yaesu VHF radios have 136 - 175 MHz RX ?
>>
>> I guess there must have been a technical issue in going beyond 154 MHz RX?
>>
>> Has anybody modded an 817 to provide RX up to 175 MHz?
Sure,
Environment Canada also has Weather Radio Canada in that range. It's
also the Shore Transmit range for Marine VHF and near to North American
rail frequencies. None of these mean there'd be any need to include them
in a ham rig.
So, Why: it's 1. a ham rig, 2. designed to replace the FT-690, FT-290,
FT-790 -- no need to include anything other than ham radio coverage.,
and lastly, designed in a country, for a world, that has no NOAA/Wx Rdo
Can (other CANUS.)
If you need/want it on/with one radio, try a converter. There used to be
the MFJ-313 VHF Converter. The schematic for the MFJ one is in the Files
area for this list. There are other possibilities to acquiring one,
having one made, making it oneself.
73, John VA7OTC
|
Re: Why is wideband VHF coverage only to 154MHz?
Or, if you really want to listen in that extended frequency range, get an FT-857D. It isn't all that much bigger than an FT-817, covers that range and has features the FT-817 doesn't have. I find the DSP very useful.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Sun, May 1, 2022 at 1:33 AM JD Erskine VA7OTC via <va7otc= [email protected]> wrote: On 2022.04.30 2232, Ken N2VIP wrote:
> One of the great frustration many US FT-817/818 owners have is that the
> receiver can not pick up the US National Weather Service VHF broadcasts,
> it is a hard limitation of the FT-817/818, the reason for which I can
> only speculate on.
>
> Ken, N2VIP
>
>> On Apr 30, 2022, at 23:20, g8tzl2004 via
>> <g8tzl2004=[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> ?Any reason why the 817 only covers up to 154 MHz rather than 175 MHz?
>>
>> All my other Yaesu VHF radios have 136 - 175 MHz RX ?
>>
>> I guess there must have been a technical issue in going beyond 154 MHz RX?
>>
>> Has anybody modded an 817 to provide RX up to 175 MHz?
Sure,
Environment Canada also has Weather Radio Canada in that range. It's
also the Shore Transmit range for Marine VHF and near to North American
rail frequencies. None of these mean there'd be any need to include them
in a ham rig.
So, Why: it's 1. a ham rig, 2. designed to replace the FT-690, FT-290,
FT-790 -- no need to include anything other than ham radio coverage.,
and lastly, designed in a country, for a world, that has no NOAA/Wx Rdo
Can (other CANUS.)
If you need/want it on/with one radio, try a converter. There used to be
the MFJ-313 VHF Converter. The schematic for the MFJ one is in the Files
area for this list. There are other possibilities to acquiring one,
having one made, making it oneself.
73, John VA7OTC
|
Pietro Molina
Borja Marcos
Rod VA3MZD
Markus
Michael Newbury SA4MDN
Martyn Bell M0TEB #admin