FT-897D Adjust Transmitter for PSK31

This video will show how to adjust the Transmit Level on the FT897D . I was able to produce a clean PSK31 signal using the
TX volume on the USB SignaLink and Digital Master 780.
N7JFP

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• N7JFP
• ham
• radio
• FT897D
• power
• level
• adjust
• SignaLink
• FT897
• ALC
• PSK31
• Watt
• wattmeter
• DM780
• HRD
• digital master 780
• ham radio deluxe

[Blaze1024]

Nice video Unfortunately I'd like to point out one error. You can't properly set ALC with only 5 watts drive... To properly set ALC you must use full TX power output into a good 50 ohm dummy load. ALC readings are only accurate at full TX output into a 50 ohm load. At 5 watts drive into an antenna of unknown impedance the ALC readings will be erroneous. Thus you set ALC at full TX drive and then reduce TX output to whatever level you need..

[N7JFP]

@Blaze1024 I am not sure how ALC exactly works, but I have found that by setting the output power on the FT897 to 5 Watts then adjusting the SignaLink TX level (audio) so 3 watts shows on the watt meter usually produces no ALC marks. IM Distortion on PSK31 does occur between 3 and 5 watts. IMD and ACL marks go together. I have not tried the full power adjustment with ALC. 73, N7JFP

[salat]

Nice video -but why are you setting the menu 74 PROC level to zero? The speech processor shouldn't be turned on while doing PSK31 anyway, right?

[N7JFP]

@salat You are correct in that the speech processor should be turned off during PSK31 transmissions. By using the Multi-Function key C to actually turn it off or by adjusting menu item 74 to zero should produce the same results. There are several adjustments like this. Thanks for watching. 73, N7JFP

[Blaze1024]

@N7JFP That was a fast response! The way you set it up using a watt meter is probably a lot better than relying on ALC readings. The only better way to do it would be to measure the output of the signal link on a OScope and adjust the peak to peak voltage for whatever the spec's call for. The 857 manual states "adjust the AFSK level within the FT-857D for 16 dots of indication on the ALC meter" Either way the best way to do it is the first way you first showed using a watt meter. 73

[MrTdw1954]

Very nice video. I see my ALC has been set too high. I wondered about that. I'm still left wondering what the delay does and where it should be set.

[M0JRA]

thanks for the great Video, just bought the signal link had no idear how to set up right untill this very easy to follow vid

thanks de alan M0JRA

[TheHamNut]

Great Video!............. Please keep making videos, they are easy to follow and implement. Thanks .........Tom de KD8DHH