[TenTec] PSK 31 &Corsair Problems

[Joseph Schulte]

Many thanks to Ken, N9VV, for his help and suggestions in resolving PSK 31 
problems that came up with the Corsair.  He suggested I make a post to help 
others resolve problems that might come up.  He had a similar experience 
using his Jupiter.
1. Make sure the rig, power supply, and the computer itself is connected to 
a good earth ground. (Does this sound like a good basic operating practice? 
Duh is me)

2. Use shielded cable from the computer to the interface board and to the 
transceiver from the interface board.  If this does not cure RF getting 
into your transmitted audio the square snap on chokes from radio shack 
should be the cure.  Wrap your audio lines around the choke per Radio 
Shacks instructions going into your transceiver as close to the transceiver 
as possible.

3, Turn the ALC level all the way down (counter clockwise on the Corsair). 
Set the  drive to around 9 or 10 o'clock.  When keying in the PSK 31mode 
adjust the audio input for around 15 to 25 watts output.  Do not attempt to 
get the ALC light to activate.  (If you do you your PSK signal will not be 
decodeable and you will be very distorted) Audio input to the rig can be 
adjusted from the audio output controls for your sound card.  Mine are 
about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom.  You can also fine tune the 10 
turn 1000 ohm pot on your interface board if you are using the typical PSK 
31 interface board setup.  However, most critical is the sound card level 
setting.

You can work the world running this low power from a dipole.  This mode is 
amazing.  You frequently print stations cleanly that you cannot even hear 
but they show up on your waterfall display in your software program.

Most of the stations I have talked to are running 15 to 30 
watts.  Typically, anything more than that is overkill it seems.

Check out www.n9vv.com for further info about the PSK 31mode,QRP and links 
to it as well as other interesting stuff.
Many thanks to Ken for his help in getting me up and running with a clean 
transmitted signal after a week of getting QRZ? when I  answered someone's 
CQ.  Good luck and happy PSK 31, Joe WA8UET

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