[TenTec] Orion XVTR RF output

[Martin AA6E]

Rick,

I'm not sure that adjusting for ALC light is necessary or desirable. 
What counts is your actual RF output to the antenna.  ALC is there to 
protect -- well, I'm not sure what ... in the case of the XVTR out.  The 
only issue that occurs to me is that you want the RF chain to be working 
at high enough levels so that signal-to-noise is acceptable but low 
enough to prevent distortion.  The ALC (I would think) is there to 
prevent distortion at the high end.

My Elecraft has a fast power indicator, and I have an external SWR meter 
with a slower time constant.  Those give me some assurance that I'm 
getting good output.

If I wanted higher average to peak power, then I would use the SP 
control.  (V. 1 firmware is better for this than V. 2, IMO.)

It would be nice, of course, if TT gave us more info on this mode of 
operation.

73 Martin AA6E

Rick Williams wrote:
> Thanks for the reply Martin.  I'm running 2.060b firmware.
> 
> I am using an SSB model LT6S six metre transverter.  The transverter has a
> built in adjustable attenuator and the input required is adjustable from 1
> mW to 500 mW.  I have adjusted the transverter attenuator so that 20 watts
> output (maximum spec of the transverter) is delivered when the Orion PWR
> setting is at 100.  According to the Orion manual, the power setting adjusts
> the XVTR RF output to between +5dBm and +15 dBm (about 3 mW to 30 mW).
> 
> The power settings are not the issue for me.  The issue is adjusting the MIC
> gain to obtain adequate ALC indication.  There is no problem in CW.  (I
> successfully worked Hawaii on CW yesterday so I know it's working!)
> 
> I've also received a reply (off the reflector) from a user encountering the
> "problem" I have described while operating a Down East Microwave
> transverter.
> 
> I guess the issue here is shouldn't the ALC setting be independent of
> whether a transverter is attached to the XVTR RF output connector?  Or am I
> way off base here?
> 
> 73,
> 
> Rick
> VE7TK
> 
> Website:  <http://www3.telus.net/ve7tk>
> 
> 
> --------------------------------
> 
> Subject: 	Re: [TenTec] Orion XVTR RF output
> From: 	Martin AA6E
> Date: 	Tue, 22 May 2007 01:09:40 -0400
> 
> 
> What transverter are you using?  What input level does it require?  What
> Orion firmware version do you have?
> 
> I use an Elecraft XV144 with no particular problem. I do not need to
> adjust mic gain, but I do set the power level down to about 60-75 to
> match the transverter's sensitivity.
> 
> 73 Martin AA6E
> 
> 
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