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Tx waterfall issue with V1.4

K2CB Eric Dobrowansky
K2CB Eric Dobrowansky Member ✭✭
edited June 2020 in FLEX-6000 Signature Series

When using the AUTO setting for the waterfall BLACK level, on transmit the waterfall is way too dark.  Likewise, if I manually set the level, the waterfall is either too bright (and washed out) on rx when set for a good transmit setting, or too dark on tx when properly set for rx. 

It seemed to be properly balanced in V1.38 and prior. 


Eric

K2CB


Comments

  • Tim - W4TME
    Tim - W4TME Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited March 2017
    If you are configuring the waterfall without autoblack enabled, have you tried the manual waterfall setup procedure listed in the SmartSDR Software User's Guide?
  • K2CB Eric Dobrowansky
    K2CB Eric Dobrowansky Member ✭✭
    edited November 2018

    Yes.  The issue is that the optimum settings for rx are way too far apart from the optimum tx settings.  Prior to 1.4, AUTO worked just fine both tx and rx.  Now, neither auto or manual, can I have both tx and rx usable at the same time.


  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited June 2020

    Tim, When setting waterfall manually I have gain at 35 and black level at 17 for nice waterfall with blue background and good contrast on RX. For TX I need to bring black level up to 30 for equivalent blue background and good contrast. Seems the issue is a difference in black level of about 11 to 13 between rx and tx. I can easily do a video to demonstrate what we are seeing if it would help.


    Thanks

    Dave, wo2x

  • Steve-N5AC
    Steve-N5AC Community Manager admin
    edited February 2017
    I've added this as an issue in our system, #1773.  Thanks for the report
  • Steve-N5AC
    Steve-N5AC Community Manager admin
    edited February 2017
    This has been fixed and will be released in the next version of SmartSDR (#1773).  The FLEX-6000 has about 45dB internal isolation when using the same antenna to TX/RX and greater than 90dB when using a receive antenna (RXA, RXB, XVTR).  To make is easier to see variations in the waterfall during transmit, a variable amount of attenuation will be applied to the waterfall based on the antenna used to monitor the transmit signal.  Since much more attenuation is applied when using one of the transmit antenna ports, you will generally be able to only see your signal in the waterfall.  When using a receive antenna, you should be able to see other signals on the band in addition to your own.  Your mileage may vary based on coupling at your site between receive and transmit antennas.
  • K2CB Eric Dobrowansky
    K2CB Eric Dobrowansky Member ✭✭
    edited November 2018
    Thank you, Steve.

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