[TenTec] ALC action on Orion

[Neal Campbell K3NC]

I used to enjoy operating in Clover and Pactor2 (I never had the  
money for Pactor3) but these modes implemented power control exactly  
by reducing the audio gain going into the rig. Whether it actually  
achieved the stated goal is another thing but I do remember the  
claim, at least.

Neal
On Dec 29, 2006, at 11:07 PM, K4IA at aol.com wrote:

> Yes, that is correct - with the Orion, the lower power setting  
> makes the  ALC
> much more sensitive.  Since the ALC has some lag and overshoot,  
> you  can't
> rely on the ALC alone to keep you from splattering.  You have to   
> adjust your
> audio drive (mic gain or PSK input level).
>
> Here's the part I don't get:
>
> No one has suggested you back down the SSB mic gain to reduce the  
> drive on
> your Orion to an amplifier.  Say I only need 50 watts drive - Am  I  
> supposed to
> reduce my mic gain to get there?  Seems to me that would  leave me  
> with a
> thin under-driven sounding audio similar to someone who talks  too  
> quietly or too
> far from the microphone.  I would think you would drive  the audio  
> fully and
> reduce the PWR control down to 50 watts.  If I remember  correctly,  
> the
> instructions say the ALC should just flicker on voice  peaks.  That  
> would never
> happen if you reduced the mic gain to lower your  output.
>
> And yet, some say to lower the power output with PSK, you should  
> leave the
> PWR setting on 100w and reduce the mic gain to your target output.
>
> I am away from home and don't have my Orion in front of me to try  
> this out
> but it is making me very curious.
>
> k4ia
> Craig  "Buck"
> Fredericksburg, Virginia USA
>
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