Wide mode while running ALE

Glenn Depp

I have done some testing with an ALE software developer a while back to help remove any clicking that occurs while scanning ALE witht he Flex 6000 series radios. I am noticing I have clicking once again and believe it is due to the WIDE Filter mode becoming active on a couple of the frequencies being scanned. I am unable to get this to turn off or find a means to do so. Any ideas on how to disable the wide filter or simply enable it for all frequencies? THis clicking is a concern as any moving switch will eventually degrade and break down.

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Glenn

The only way to deal with this would be to have the Wide filter on (all band pass filters dis-engaged) would be to zoom out your waterfall so that it has to include areas beyond the ham bands.

Or, maybe try turning on the Wide Noise Blanker but at a 0% setting since the Wide Noise Blanker need to look at a large part of the spectrum.

73

Al K0VM

In a different Panadapter, I would open another slice in the BC or General band connected to the same antenna. This should force WIDE in all ham bands if they are using the same antenna.

AL, K0VM

John KB4DU

Wide is on anytime more than one ham band is selected, or a frequency outside any ham band Is in view on the display. When Wide is off, it indicates that the band pass filter for a single band is being employed. Since these filters are single band, they must be off (Wide indicated) to allow other signals through.

Glenn Depp

We need a selection to disable I suppose. 99% of the ALE I am running is not Amateur related. SO this is an issue.

W3TAC_Tony

My ALE Experience:

Before scanning with the 6500 and 6600, manually step thru each ALE channel ensuring the following:

TX is VFO-B

WIDE Mode is displayed for each channel

RF GAIN (pre-amps) are set the same db level per channel

Note: With the 6500 - the only way I could eliminate relay clacking at 2 MHZ and below was to delete the frequency.

W3TAC_Tony

Almost forgot...during ALE scanning, to prevent Flex radios from reverting back to LSB near or in the lower HF ham bands; select USB-D mode in the ALE software.

W3TAC_Tony

If Flex Software is the Radio...maybe it's time for a Flex ALE Software Package? I'll buy it!!

John WA7UAR

Right now, I prefer using the ion2g.app program with my Flex 6700.

Glenn Depp

So.. And I don't know it is fixed, but I have not had any clicking with what I am currently doing. With a little explanation. I am running a Flex 6600. I utilize Slice C as my ALE slice, RX D is created upon scanning which locks down the TX so you don't have the TX filters constantly shifting (One of the clicking issues). I also have the Antenna RF gain the exact same on ALL channels it scans. The reason I do not currently have any other clicking from the wide band filtering is I have Slice A or B locked onto a channel that keeps the wide band filter locked in. If I have them on other channels/frequencies then the clicking returns. So I have found you must have an active slice on some frequency that will, I assume, activate the wide band filter so it does not come on and off causing the relay clicking. I use one frequency in the 60M area. plus or minus.

I do find from time to time that the commands form ion2G are not making it thru to the Flex.

While scanning I feel like there is some process bogging down the com port communication process where the flex does not get the command to close off the slice D, then when it goes back into scan it cannot create the slice again and the TX remains on slice C causing the TX filters to follow the scan, hence loud clicking. If that all makes sense. I do not have a slow computer, it is likely way over built for what I do, but, I do get that one issue and not sure why. Perhaps an echo command to shut down the RX D within slice C would remedy that, I don't know.

So how I am running ion2G is that way and has been having great performance. I have found other small issues but not ones 99% of users will not see.

I recommend ion2G for ALE operations. It does work well and the developer is always improving it.

r/

Glenn

Glenn Depp

Responding to a few posted comments here -

Someone commented to basically zoom all the way out in the pan adapter to ensure the wide band filtering is I believe OFF. To zoom out is not a good idea, not only can you never see the signal as it would be so tiny on the display but it would also increase the system issues as now you would be looking at an extremely wide frequency segment. That would add additional drain on may peoples computer systems causing other problems. It seemed to increase the GPU usage, a little anyway, not sure if it increased any other computer usage requirements.

I did this on mine and that zooming way out, actually created the clicking we do not want.

Having the ANT - WNB activated does nothing for the issue I am finding.

The only fix would be to allow the user to disable that filtering on their own but has already been shot down by flex in a prior discussion.

MARSALE is not what I have used in quite a while, it does not have anywhere near the performance as ion2G. I have used it for several years.