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SSDR V1.2 - APF could use more gain - it seems diminished from the alpha version

Al_NN4ZZ
Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
edited November 2023 in New Ideas
The APF gain in V1.2 seems to be less pronounced than in the alpha version I tested.  The Q slider is working fine but the gain appears diminished and the overall effect appears to be smaller.  Is it possible that some of the other changes in DE 1727 (for the filter and crackling) have affected it?

I would like to submit this idea again for consideration.  Add a new slider to allow the user to adjust the gain to their liking.  I think it would allow us to adjust it per band conditions and personal preference.  

See suggested changes below....

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





 
47
47 votes

Completed · Last Updated

Comments

  • Paul Christensen, W9AC
    Paul Christensen, W9AC Member ✭✭
    edited February 2017
    Great idea, Al.  The current APF control reasonably adjusts bandwidth (Q) but a gain control would make the APF function ideal on CW.
  • K1UO Larry
    K1UO Larry Member ✭✭✭
    edited December 2017
    I support this idea also Al..   APF still needs a bit of gain control tweaking.... getting there though.  er...ah... maybe a few more CW contesters or DXers in the Alpha test phase would help   :)   
  • Ken - NM9P
    Ken - NM9P Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    I like the idea, and Al and I have both suggested it in previous posts. Others also have commented on it. APF is improved over the last version, but adjustable gain would just about finish it.

    Though I need to play around more on Friday to do a final review of APF. I haven't had much free time since the release of version 1.2... BTW... The increased zoom really helps tuning with the very narrow filters. Thanks!
  • ik2egl
    ik2egl Member ✭✭
    edited July 2016
    I like the idea too Al.
    APF is really great on CW and you suggestion seems to impruve it even more
  • Ernest - W4EG
    Ernest - W4EG Member ✭✭
    edited October 2019

    Al,

    Like the idea ... count me in as a clicked like above...

  • Lee
    Lee Member
    edited March 2017

    I don't see that control in my 6300??

    Thanks,

    Lee

  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Hi Lee,
    Are you saying you don't see the APF button on the DSP tab when in CW Mode?  

    Or that you don't see the new one (APF Gain) that I suggested that they add?

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


  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2017
    Gerald,
    Here is the APF idea to provide some control over the amount of GAIN.   It doesn't have a status currently.  

    Maybe if we get a few more votes it can be marked as "under consideration" or even better, as "planned."  

    In the post below (from July 3, 2014)  you mentioned writing up the NR idea again but I think this covers it.

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



     


  • Gary Sitton, K5AMH
    edited September 2014
    Totally agree on this feature.  The APF is a great CW feature and any added flexibility will help! 
  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    V1.4 introduced some issues with APF.  Here is a link to that thread.

    https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/tone-oscillator-with-apf-slider-2-6?topic-reply-lis...

    In case FRS decides to fix the new APF problems in a V1.4.x point release, maybe they will consider adding the GAIN feature at the same time.

    Add your comments and votes here if you agree.....

    Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
    al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
     
  • Sergey R5AU
    Sergey R5AU Member ✭✭
    edited April 2017
    Al , agreed, i think it can be a real point for version 1.5 development, of course i looking for realization for every one mindset as described in yours initial post here.
  • Ken - NM9P
    Ken - NM9P Member ✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    I would assume, hopefully that APF will be part of the DSP "Science Project" of v.1.5. With this in mind, I would support adding dual controls for gain and "Q" unless FRS comes up with something even better during the science project.
  • Ed - W2RF
    Ed - W2RF Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Also offset (Tune). OpenHPSDR has it right:

    image

    There is a related issue that APF works better with AGC off. However this makes the audio prone to blasting if a strong signal enters the passband. To mitigate blasting AGC off should really just modify the AGC so that it doesn't affect signals up to a certain level, then limit stronger signals.

    73 Ed W2RF
  • Barry N1EU
    Barry N1EU Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    What OpenHPSDR doesn't quite have right IMHO is allowing bandwidth to increase wide enough to use APF on ssb.  Ten-Tec Orion got that right.
  • Ed - W2RF
    Ed - W2RF Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    OpenHPSDR doesn't have the CW panorama feature of TenTec either, another desirable feature.
  • Carl K5HK
    Carl K5HK Member
    edited January 2016
    Yes APf gain lacking gain noted when I loaded 1.4 - it's an important feature to me & gain control would be very good.
  • Carl K5HK
    Carl K5HK Member
    edited January 2016
    Yes APf gain lacking gain noted when I loaded 1.4 - it's an important feature to me & gain control would be very good.
  • Tom Warren
    Tom Warren Member
    edited May 2019
      I worked with the APF in my 6300 for abt an hr last night and concur with the prevoius observations about the results of the slider adjustments. From my perspective the APF, and I don't know what else in the DSP area, has taken a step backwards with v1.4 compared to 1.3.8.  I must admit that my 'testing' last night was at the same time as a major flair had taken place. I tuned to a few weak beacons on 2M via XVTR and continue to be more than disappointed with Flex' ability to help with the s/n. My HF testing consists of finding the weakest CW signal I can see on the waterfall, then trying to pull it out of the noise using the tools that Flex provides. For HF I use no external additional receiving devices.....for VHF and above, I do use low noise mast mounted preamps.  

     I eagerly await anything that will get us on track in the weak signal area.

    This radio has SO MUCH potential !   Tom W4TMW
  • Sergey R5AU
    Sergey R5AU Member ✭✭
    edited April 2017
    Tom, agreed with you last syntax: We need 1.5 to have BEST IN CLAS Radio
  • Tom Warren
    Tom Warren Member
    edited March 2015
    I might also add that, IMO, it's the signal/noise ratio that's important...not necessarily just more gain, as has been mentioned. 
  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Hi Ed,
    Thanks for sharing the HPSDR control.  I've never seen it before but it looks like it might be ever better.  

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

     
  • Ned K1NJ
    Ned K1NJ Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
        APF Effectiveness seems greatly diminished.  Acts like a 50 Hz filter kicks in
    without audio peaking.   The 1.38 APF was a valuable feature and so was
    having the choice between weighted and non-weighted averaging.

    Ned,  K1NJ

  • Ned K1NJ
    Ned K1NJ Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
       Have to correct myself.  I first thought that the "standard" averaging had
    been removed because the "weighted" on/off switch seemed to have no
    effect.  Last night I went to 160m where there is some very bad impulse
    type noise, and saw that averaging in the normal mode had a huge effect
    there and had certainly not been removed.  The weighted average mode
    sees fast rise time of noise as well as signals, and nowhere is it more apparent
    at my station than on 160m.  40 dB noise pulses that were much-reduced by
    the "normal" averaging, were horrendous using weighted averaging, proving
    that both were working.
       However, some change seems to have been made in the averaging process.
    Perhaps the averaged period was changed from previous versions.  Whatever
    the case may be, however, it is working- just a little differently.

    Ned,  K1NJ
  • KD4Y
    KD4Y Member
    edited May 2015
    Please Please add this Feature! I miss the early ver APF.

  • W5UN_Dave
    W5UN_Dave Member ✭✭
    edited February 2019
    I vote to improve APF (where do I vote)
  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Dave,

    image

    Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
    al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
  • W5UN_Dave
    W5UN_Dave Member ✭✭
    edited November 2016
    Al, no wonder I couldn't vote, I had to change to Google chrome before this would show up.
  • Charles - K5UA
    Charles - K5UA Member ✭✭
    edited July 2018
    Guess I'm late to the party but just added my vote for APF work-over.
  • Ned K1NJ
    Ned K1NJ Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Yes, it just doesn't "pop" out. Adjustable gain might be an advantage. Ned, K1NJ
  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2017
    Just saw this video (thanks to Andrew O'Brien for posting) on the Skytech CW speaker.  

    This is essentially a mechanical Audio Peaking Filter.  

    https://youtu.be/MF8bk6958Hg

    image

    Hopefully one day this request for more gain on the SSDR peaking filter will be addressed as it is really a big help to make those CW signals pop.   While you could build a powered version of this speaker for the 6700 it would be much better to use the audio processing capability in the radio to do it even better. 

    Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
    al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
    SSDR / DAX / CAT/ 6700 -  V 1.10.16
    Win10

This discussion has been closed.