How to increase transmit power when running Winlink.

Jeff AA0ST

When I have CAT, DAX and the VARA sound card software setup and running for best audio level, (about 1/2 of ALC limit) I have less than 2 watts output.

How do I keep the audio properly set but raise the power output?

KD0RC

Hi Jeff, What radio are you using? Are you using an amplifier?

Jeff AA0ST

Sorry , I left out all of the details. I have a mini PC running Windows 10, a Flex 6600 and a PGXL but have not used the amplifier. I have struggled making connections and had thought of turning on the amp, I have not done so yet.

I can get up to 10 watts but then the audio is starting to hit the ALC limit.

Patrick

I run full 100 watts. Set audio level so not in red. Works well. I occasionally use amp at 500 watts. No problem. Don’t use ALC in any way. I use both Winlink VARA HF and FM.

KD0RC

Ah, OK, but where do you see ALC? I think any instructions that mention ALC are for analog radios. For the Flex, you should pay attention to the audio level. Just make sure that it does not go into the red when you transmit. Adjust the DAX TX Stream to put the peak indicator somewhere around 5 dB below the 0 dB mark and you should get full power out of your rig (or whatever you set the RF Power slider to).

Jeff AA0ST

Thanks for all the responses. I may have mis-spoken when I said ALC because that is the example in the VARA set up. I suppose I should have used "Audio Level" Like in you picture KD0RC. I seem to have better luck when the level is about halfway up, but now you are saying "just stay out of the red."

I will set the DAX TX gain to 100% and use the VARA soundcard set up window to pull the audio down out of the red using the test button and the slide bar on the set up window.

I will report back and let everyone who has helped my what my results are.

Jeff

LarryWeber

Hi Len,

Thanks for the good advice. I was confused about this but thanks to you I am now running 100 W.

Larry
K9ZBU

KD0RC

Hi Larry, glad to hear it!

Jeff AA0ST

SUCCESS!

Thanks for the help. Now my only limitation is band conditions.