Whatever digi audio meter you decide to use for RX levels, I found that decoding works best when the SENDING station’s tune level (@1500 Hz audio pitch) is set to about -10 to -20dB on your rx audio level meter

Louder sounds 0 dB to -10 dB ?can distort the peaks

Very softer sounds like -30 to -50 dB starves the sound card

? ? do not SATURATE and do not STARVE the sound card RX audio level

Transmitting with optimum audio is a different ball game

? ? On SSB set the TX audio level for barely any ALC at whatever power you want

? ? ?I usually aim for 25-40 watts out on a TUNE signal on a 100W rig, zero ALC

? ? On FM, set the level to get the desired ‘deviation’ (about 2-3 kHz) which you can set if you have access to an SDR with an RF spectrum display.

de k3eui