SSDR V1.2 - APF could use more gain - it seems diminished from the alpha version

Al_NN4ZZ

The APF gain in V1.2 seems to be less pronounced than in the alpha version I tested.  The Q slider is working fine but the gain appears diminished and the overall effect appears to be smaller.  Is it possible that some of the other changes in DE 1727 (for the filter and crackling) have affected it?

I would like to submit this idea again for consideration.  Add a new slider to allow the user to adjust the gain to their liking.  I think it would allow us to adjust it per band conditions and personal preference.  

See suggested changes below....

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com





 

Paul Christensen, W9AC

Great idea, Al.  The current APF control reasonably adjusts bandwidth (Q) but a gain control would make the APF function ideal on CW.

K1UO Larry

I support this idea also Al..   APF still needs a bit of gain control tweaking.... getting there though.  er...ah... maybe a few more CW contesters or DXers in the Alpha test phase would help      

Ken - NM9P

I like the idea, and Al and I have both suggested it in previous posts. Others also have commented on it. APF is improved over the last version, but adjustable gain would just about finish it.

Though I need to play around more on Friday to do a final review of APF. I haven't had much free time since the release of version 1.2... BTW... The increased zoom really helps tuning with the very narrow filters. Thanks!

ik2egl

I like the idea too Al.
APF is really great on CW and you suggestion seems to impruve it even more

Ernest - W4EG

Al,

Like the idea ... count me in as a clicked like above...

Lee

I don't see that control in my 6300??

Thanks,

Lee

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Lee,
Are you saying you don't see the APF button on the DSP tab when in CW Mode?  

Or that you don't see the new one (APF Gain) that I suggested that they add?

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

Al_NN4ZZ

Gerald,
Here is the APF idea to provide some control over the amount of GAIN.   It doesn't have a status currently.  

Maybe if we get a few more votes it can be marked as "under consideration" or even better, as "planned."  

In the post below (from July 3, 2014)  you mentioned writing up the NR idea again but I think this covers it.

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com



 

Gary Sitton, K5AMH

Totally agree on this feature.  The APF is a great CW feature and any added flexibility will help! 

Al_NN4ZZ

V1.4 introduced some issues with APF.  Here is a link to that thread.

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/tone-oscillator-with-apf-slider-2-6?topic-reply-lis...

In case FRS decides to fix the new APF problems in a V1.4.x point release, maybe they will consider adding the GAIN feature at the same time.

Add your comments and votes here if you agree.....

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
 

Sergey R5AU

Al , agreed, i think it can be a real point for version 1.5 development, of course i looking for realization for every one mindset as described in yours initial post here.

Ken - NM9P

I would assume, hopefully that APF will be part of the DSP "Science Project" of v.1.5. With this in mind, I would support adding dual controls for gain and "Q" unless FRS comes up with something even better during the science project.

Ed - W2RF

Also offset (Tune). OpenHPSDR has it right:



There is a related issue that APF works better with AGC off. However this makes the audio prone to blasting if a strong signal enters the passband. To mitigate blasting AGC off should really just modify the AGC so that it doesn't affect signals up to a certain level, then limit stronger signals.

73 Ed W2RF

Barry N1EU

What OpenHPSDR doesn't quite have right IMHO is allowing bandwidth to increase wide enough to use APF on ssb.  Ten-Tec Orion got that right.

Ed - W2RF

OpenHPSDR doesn't have the CW panorama feature of TenTec either, another desirable feature.

Carl K5HK

Yes APf gain lacking gain noted when I loaded 1.4 - it's an important feature to me & gain control would be very good.

Carl K5HK

Yes APf gain lacking gain noted when I loaded 1.4 - it's an important feature to me & gain control would be very good.

Tom Warren

  I worked with the APF in my 6300 for abt an hr last night and concur with the prevoius observations about the results of the slider adjustments. From my perspective the APF, and I don't know what else in the DSP area, has taken a step backwards with v1.4 compared to 1.3.8.  I must admit that my 'testing' last night was at the same time as a major flair had taken place. I tuned to a few weak beacons on 2M via XVTR and continue to be more than disappointed with Flex' ability to help with the s/n. My HF testing consists of finding the weakest CW signal I can see on the waterfall, then trying to pull it out of the noise using the tools that Flex provides. For HF I use no external additional receiving devices.....for VHF and above, I do use low noise mast mounted preamps.  

 I eagerly await anything that will get us on track in the weak signal area.

This radio has SO MUCH potential !   Tom W4TMW

Sergey R5AU

Tom, agreed with you last syntax: We need 1.5 to have BEST IN CLAS Radio

Tom Warren

I might also add that, IMO, it's the signal/noise ratio that's important...not necessarily just more gain, as has been mentioned. 

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Ed,
Thanks for sharing the HPSDR control.  I've never seen it before but it looks like it might be ever better.  

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com 

 

Ned K1NJ

    APF Effectiveness seems greatly diminished.  Acts like a 50 Hz filter kicks in
without audio peaking.   The 1.38 APF was a valuable feature and so was
having the choice between weighted and non-weighted averaging.

Ned,  K1NJ

Ned K1NJ

   Have to correct myself.  I first thought that the "standard" averaging had
been removed because the "weighted" on/off switch seemed to have no
effect.  Last night I went to 160m where there is some very bad impulse
type noise, and saw that averaging in the normal mode had a huge effect
there and had certainly not been removed.  The weighted average mode
sees fast rise time of noise as well as signals, and nowhere is it more apparent
at my station than on 160m.  40 dB noise pulses that were much-reduced by
the "normal" averaging, were horrendous using weighted averaging, proving
that both were working.
   However, some change seems to have been made in the averaging process.
Perhaps the averaged period was changed from previous versions.  Whatever
the case may be, however, it is working- just a little differently.

Ned,  K1NJ

KD4Y

Please Please add this Feature! I miss the early ver APF.

W5UN_Dave

I vote to improve APF (where do I vote)

Al_NN4ZZ

Dave,



Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com

W5UN_Dave

Al, no wonder I couldn't vote, I had to change to Google chrome before this would show up.

Charles - K5UA

Guess I'm late to the party but just added my vote for APF work-over.

Ned K1NJ

Yes, it just doesn't "pop" out. Adjustable gain might be an advantage. Ned, K1NJ

Al_NN4ZZ

Just saw this video (thanks to Andrew O'Brien for posting) on the Skytech CW speaker.  

This is essentially a mechanical Audio Peaking Filter.  

https://youtu.be/MF8bk6958Hg



Hopefully one day this request for more gain on the SSDR peaking filter will be addressed as it is really a big help to make those CW signals pop.   While you could build a powered version of this speaker for the 6700 it would be much better to use the audio processing capability in the radio to do it even better. 

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
SSDR / DAX / CAT/ 6700 -  V 1.10.16
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