[bars] PSA for FT8/FT4 users - HOLD TX FREQ

[Tim - K1DC]

Yes, to all of this!  Thanks, Adam!

T.

On 5/5/2025 9:24, Adam Smith wrote:
> Chris, All -
>
> One thing that wasn't clear to me as a new FT-mode operator (I'm still 
> not a very regular user) was how I should control power output.  There 
> are many positions taken / methods used if you search for this 
> online.  Since you're basically using USB from the radio's 
> perspective, the actual transmitted power is controlled both by the 
> power setting in the radio, and the settings in your computer & 
> software which create the audio input.
>
> The advice I've gotten most from operators I trust is - set the radio 
> to the maximum intended power level.  E.g. on a desktop rig this could 
> be 100%/100W, or say half that if you want to de-rate for digital mode 
> duty cycle.  Then use the power output slider at the lower right side 
> of the WSJTX interface to control the actual output level.  Make sure 
> that Windows (or other OS, but Windows always seems to change things 
> when you're not looking) isn't applying some other level control 
> (there are per-interface and sometimes per-program settings in the 
> Sound control panel or whatever it's called).  Watch the meters on the 
> radio to assess your actual peak output and to make sure that ALC is 
> not reaching 100%, which will cause you to splatter.
>
> Probably a good idea to start with low power and ramp up after you 
> show that you have the audio and control paths working.  You can also 
> check that audio is being sent by routing it to the speakers instead 
> of to the radio audio interface.
>
> If you come back to the setup after having things disconnected (or 
> after Windows has updated), and find that you seem to have no output, 
> check the settings on the computer side first.  Especially on Windows 
> I find that often the COM port has changed, or gotten disconnected 
> from the digimode program, or something ... or the audio/"mixer" 
> settings have changed and are sending the output to the wrong place. 
> Related to that - make sure that you're not sending /all/ sound from 
> your computer to the rig audio interface when it's plugged in - 
> including beeps/alerts, music you're playing, etc.
>
> Again, I'm not the most regular FT* user, but you asked for some 
> starting-point tips and those are things I've run into while dabbling 
> with FT-x, Feldhell, js8call, etc.  Glad to hear from others too.
>
> 73,
> Adam / AA1N
-- 

Courageously sent from a non-Apple device that /includes/ a headphone jack.

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