Horizontal Line for AGC-T

KY6LA_Howard

In order to make AGC-T easier to understand and to adjust I propose that there be a temporary or optional horizontal line representing the threshold inflection point for AGC-T Wine I am an engineering nerd I would love it to be represented in numeric dBm.

Bill -VA3WTB

It has been working so well for most. What is wrong with moving it left till the noise starts to decrease, as Ken pointed out. does that not work anymore?

Steve N4LQ

I still proclaim that AGC-T is backwards. The threshold is increasing as the slider is decreased. 

(Assuming this is really adjusting the threshold)

I still think it's adjusting the RF gain into the ADT. At least that's how it acts. 

Ken - NM9P

That works, but it would help people visualize the threshold if there were a line, perhaps just in the Receive filter bar that corresponds to the AGC-T setting.    I like this idea simply because I am a visually oriented person and like to see things move when I adjust various controls.

KY6LA_Howard

I too am very visual. The line would help people conceptualizer what they are doing. And prevent the obvious confusion that people like Steve had.

KY6LA_Howard

Please click Like at the top of the page

Steve N4LQ

I wasn't confused. The crazy AGC-T slider works backwards. 

Walt

A line sounds like a worthy addition -  will add my vote

Jim Gilliam

A high-powered cat like you should be referred in dBW

Steve N4LQ

Remember those rigs that used to have AGC meters like the Drake 2B and hundreds of others? You reduce RF gain, watch the S meter go up and set it for your desired AGC threshold. Pretty advanced eh?

WBB

Yep Same for Squelch Horizontal line representatives threshold

KC2QMA_John

Steve I'm with you on the AGC threshold but as for me I don't want the S-Meter to follow AGC like the old radios even my Orion used to do this until they updated the software to allow the user to change the meter response time. I want the S-meter to show the actual signal at the ANT input not post AGC.

KC2QMA/John

Steve N4LQ

I hear ya John but what's the difference? 
I doubt if the "S meter" in SmartSDR is attached to the antenna )
I suspect it goes through a complex process to generate that little bar graph.
AGC is not really a voltage controlling stage gain either. 
Actually all I want is for the meter to settle down so I can read it. For example: When I look at the meter on a conventional radio the needle "floats" around a certain spot and I can easily give a report such as "you're 10db over 9 OM.
With Ssdr, the meter jumps up and down so fast that it's impossible to tell what's happening unless it's a  stead carrier....
The term "averaging" comes to mind. 

KC2QMA_John

Yes My Ten Tec Orion II also has a meter that moves so fast it's hard to read. TT said they would be adding the ability to adjust the meter action in the next software update to give a bit more averaging. I believe it will have 4 options as I recall Fast, Med, Slow & track AGC.

KC2QMA_John

BTW i am currently using the free add-on meter from woodbox radio. This is an analog style meter and allows you to adjust the Up & Down time it also has a peek hold option.

Here is a link to the meter. http://www.woodboxradio.com/flex6000.html scroll down the page.

Al_NN4ZZ

Howard,
Here is a mockup from the AGC-T idea I submitted year or so back.

It includes both the LINE and 2 options to also show the NUMERIC value.

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/add_preamp_and_agc_status_to_the_panadapter_bar



AND/OR ADD the value to the slider



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

Al_NN4ZZ

Here is another option.....also posted in the other idea.
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com





The boxes with the AGC numbers could display when you hover on the line and disappear a few seconds later or when you move, just like the filter width display does.   Keeps the screen from being too busy.  

Or if some folks like the numbers being visible all the time there could be a fade option.
- 1 second
- 5 seconds
- never

We know the developers like providing options....;-)

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

John n0snx

I'm not sure I understand the analogy here.... you want a visual line for the AGC-T that you set by ear....  seeing a line  is not going to change what your ear is hearing.... But hey what do I know...I'm just a retired carpenter. and not nearly as smart as an engineer...hihi

Steve N4LQ

Huh? Well then let's do away with the entire screen.

Steve N4LQ

Since the programmers won't help...Maybe the mechanics can implement this---
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFaLPuKkyAE

KC2QMA_John

Yes now you can see and hear where the AGC-T will kick in.
Makes sense to me.

KY6LA_Howard

I like option 2. Especially the dBm reading

KY6LA_Howard

Actually a lot of us are more visual than audible ...I know I am.. If there were a visible line I likely would set it somewhere above the noise floor. With practice, I am sure that I could get to set it much quicker visually than I could ever do by ear.

km9r.mike

#2 would be preferred for me. I like the visual display of AGC-T, however, from the get go it's slider operation came across as very intuitive for me.

KD4HSO

How about a marker on the S-meter that show post AGC signal level.  Sort of like the peak marker on the TX input level. 

Walt - KZ1F

OK, so being a software geeky type, why is it a control at all? I certainly understand in the vintage 1930 era radio state of the art, one had to manually set it. This is software right, generation 3 SDR. If there is a known calculatable set point just do it in software and free up some desktop real estate. Serious question, not being snarky...well not totally.

Jim Gilliam

As I see it, the SDR does most the work where the previous models the computer did the work. I can see it shifting the other way as computers get faster and the communication stays on Ethernet. It will be interesting to see where this all eventually gravitates.

Jim, K6QE

Ken - NM9P

While I would love to have an automatic option, I would not like to see the control eliminated altogether. Depending upon my purpose and the band conditions, I set the threshold to different positions. When rag chewing, I have it set a little further to the left of the sweet spot in order to have a little more quiet background. When DXing I might set it right at it, or a little to the right, depending upon band conditions. Perhaps in "auto mode" the control could adjust the set point +- in relation to the "knee" rather than against an absolute level?

Walt - KZ1F

Hmmm. I clearly missed at least one of your posts Ken. Should it be set to the knee or to the start of the declined. I thought the writeup was to adjust the slider right to left until the volume just starts to decrease. I've noticed the knee, where volume precipitously falls off, is perhaps a quarter inch further to the left.

I've really been trying to figure out why WNB doesn't work for me. After having been severely admonished by mgmt I've not been participating in the conversations about it not working.

In XPSSDR I moved all controls not essential off the main viewing surface.

Jon_KF2E

I agree with Walt. If the optimum set point can be calculated in software then just set it. Perhaps modify the slider to move up or down from the calculated set point so users have the ability to make changes. This would let most of us leave it alone and those that like to tweek...well, tweek.

Jon

Walt - KZ1F

To clarify my earlier comment about trying to determine why wnb doesn't work for me my working theory had been I wasn't setting agc-t correctly. It doesn't escape notice,howerever, that is blaming the consumer.