FM deviation and emphasis

Bob N7ZO

As I was going through my closet, I ran across an old Heathkit IM-4180 FM Deviation meter.  Then I wondered, with 6000 series FM coming up this fall, and considering the instrument-like accuracy of the 6000 series (love the dBm readout), and since the math has to be done anyways, how hard would it be to show actual FM deviation for both transmit and receive somewhere on the SSDR display?  It would save some space in my closet.  :-)

The second thought that occurred: please allow a setting (without ripping the wings off of an angel) to turn the FM de- and pre-emphasis off for packet and other digital usage.

These are the special touches that will help separate the Signature Series from the rest of the market.

Jim Gilliam

Entries like this make me sorry I ever bought the **** 6500. I am going to sell it and get out of this **** mess. Take note, Tim; you got rid of me.

Jim, K6QE

Tim - W4TME

Since we will start planning for SmartSDR v1.4 shortly, I have added these requests to our feature database for consideration.

Ken - NM9P

It seems like a legit feature idea to me.  Just as SSB and AM ops like to know what their upper and lower frequency limits are, it seems that an FM op might like to know the exact deviation that is being transmitted.

And I can see several possibilities where it would be handy to be able to select pre/de-emphasis, i.e. when interfacing with equipment that already has built-in pre-emphasis.  

 Whether it is feasible or not is up to the programmers. 

Dick Illman

I also think that an FM deviation meter would be a great idea for both transmit level setting and monitoring or receive deviation. This could be integrated as a part of the audio scope feature.