Adjusting Audio for Cleaner QSK Sidetone Flex6000

Steve N4LQ

There are 3 volume level controls....Master, Slice Receiver and Sidetone. If the master level is set low, slice and sidetone must be turned up high and this produces nasty distortion products when keying, especially in QSK. The cure I found is to set the Master Level (top right on screen) to maximum then decrease the sidetone and slice for a comfortable level. Also keep the RF gain near the band noise level. Do the same when using headphones. Keep the master headphone level at max and adjust everything else down. 73 Steve N4LQ

Robert -- N5IKD

Also, as I bring my audio into the computer there is also audio adjustments in the computer and on the front of the speakers.

The chain of volumes looks like this:
1.  Sidetone
2.  Slice Receiver
3.  Master
4.  Computer input / output / master
5.  volume knob on speakers

Steve N4LQ

I just route the audio from the Flex 6300 to the speakers, not the computer.

Robert -- N5IKD

I was bringing the audio through the computer for digital modes before DAX. I continue to bring the audio through the computer not for digital modes, but for the simplicity of having one knob to turn off all audio in the shack with one knob. Also I don't have to bother with locating a second set of speakers.

Lee

Where is the RF gain?

All I see is on the ANT menu a setting that has either 0 or 20. (Pre-Amp??)

Also under audio on the slice I see a setting slider ,,,I guess it is AGC?

Thanks,

Lee

Steve N4LQ

Next to the AGC menu in the RX window is the RF Gain as it is sometimes called. I guess technically it's something else. Its setting varies per band and conditions.

Lee

According to the book...the RF gain is in the ANT menu pop-out...but mine only has 0 or 20 not variable.

Next to the AGC settings (off, fast, med, slow) is a variable setting ...I assume that is the AGC thresh hold??

73,

Lee

Steve N4LQ

Yea I guess you're right. My RF gain slider is stuck. I assume that is for the pre amp on the other models. Anyway....I try to keep that AGC slider backed down as far as possible. It helps with the QSK noise somewhat especially on nights like this. Wow the QRN is loud.

Lee

Were supposed to have a pre-amp on the 6300 too...I think that is the 20 setting...

OK, FB on the AGC...the book does talk about the rf gain and that 0 - 20 control says RF Gain on it..

What gives??

No RF Gain?

73,

Lee

Steve N4LQ

No I'm sure the 6300 doesn't have a preamp there fore the slider is dead.

Lee

Here is the 6300 spec from the site:

Receiver Specifications

• Receiver Architecture: Direct Digital Sampling
• Spectral Capture Units: One (1)
• Maximum Slice Receivers: Two (2)
• Maximum High Resolution Spectrum Displays: Two (2)
• Maximum Panadapter Width:  7 MHz
• ADC Resolution:  16-bits
• ADC Sampling Rate:  122.88 Msps
• Wideband Frequency Coverage:  30 kHz – 54 MHz
• DAX IQ Channels / Bandwidth Per Channel:  Two (2) @ 24 kHz – 96 kHz
• DAX Audio Channels:  Two (2)
• Amateur Band Preselector Coverage:  NA
• Preamplifiers / Attenuators:  0 to +20 dB
• Spurious and Image Rejection Ratio:  80 dB or better
• External Powered Speaker Output Impedance Level:  600 Ohm Stereo Unbalanced