Tigertronics SignaLink SL-1+ Installation & Operation Manual page 6

in the level of audio going to the sound card, and may
require you to re-adjust the audio level to compensate.
- SETTING THE AUDIO LEVELS -
(QUICK PROCEDURE!)
Before you operate your SignaLink on the air, you will need
to adjust your soundcard and radio Receive and Transmit
Audio levels. Incorrect adjustment of these levels can cause
poor performance or unreliable operation. This procedure
tells you how the levels should be set. It assumes you
already know how to use your computer to set sound card
levels. If you are not familiar with setting the sound card
levels, then please refer to the Detailed Procedure for
doing this in the back of this manual.
Before you can adjust the audio levels, the SignaLink must
be connected to the sound card and radio. Both the
SignaLink and the radio should be powered ON and a
communications program that you have selected should
already be installed on your computer. Note that you will be
using the communications program to generate the audio
tones that are used to adjust the level controls, so CW
programs should NOT be used unless they have a
continuous "Tune" mode. A PSK-31 program like DigiPan
is ideal for making these adjustments.
Transmit Audio Adjustment
·
If the SignaLink is connected to your radio s Mic jack,
then set your radio to USB.
connected to a Data or Accessory Port, then you will
need to set your radio to the appropriate mode for this
type of connection. USB will work on some radios, but
you may need to select a special mode such as Data ,
User , or D-USB . If you are not sure which mode to
use, then consult your radio manual.
·
If the SignaLink is connected to your radio s Mic jack,
then turn the radio s Mic Gain control all the way
down so that there will not be any transmit power. If
the SignaLink is connected to a Data or Accessory Port,
then the Mic Gain control may not have any effect on
the power output (consult your radio manual). If this is
the case with your radio, then you will need to turn
down the radio s Forward Power
Otherwise, you should set this control to provide
maximum power. Note that the Forward Power
control might be labeled
Power on your radio.
·
Your radio s Speech Processor / Compressor and VOX
features should be turned OFF.
·
Select TUNE in your communications program.
Open the Windows Volume Control Panel and select
Playback controls.
Volume (far left volume control) and Wave Volume
If the SignaLink is
control instead.
RF Power or Carrier
Make sure that the Master
controls are NOT muted. The Microphone control
(under Playback ONLY!) MUST be muted.
·
Adjust the Master Volume control for 75% of full
volume. Next, set the Wave Volume control to zero
and then advance it slowly noting the point where the
SignaLink s PTT LED turns ON. This ON point is
the absolute minimum level needed to switch the
SignaLink into Transmit, so we will need to increase
the level further to insure reliable operation. Increase
the Wave control to a point about 50% higher than the
point where PTT activates.
·
If the SignaLink is connected to your radio s Mic jack,
then you should now be able to adjust the radio s Mic
Gain control for the desired transmit power level (see
important note
adjustments to your transmit power!). If you cannot
get adequate power by adjusting the Mic Gain control,
then you may need to set both the Master and Wave
volume controls higher (if possible), or adjust the
SignaLink s internal
output (see TX Level and RX Level Controls at the
end of this section).
·
If the SignaLink is connected to a Data or Accessory
Port, then the Mic Gain control may not affect power
output. In this case, you will need to adjust the radio s
transmit power output by setting both the Master and
Wave volume controls higher, or by adjusting the
SignaLink s internal
output (see TX Level and RX Level Controls at the
end of this section). Your radio might also have a Data
or Accessory Port gain control that can be increased to
provide more power out (usually through a radio menu
check your radio manual). Be sure to read
setting
the important note below BEFORE making final
adjustments to your transmit power!
·
Be sure to turn your program s TUNE function OFF
when you are finished making adjustments. If the PTT
LED never turns ON, then you need to set your Master
and Wave controls higher. If it still fails to turn ON, or
if you cannot reach the desired transmit power level,
then see the Troubleshooting section of this manual for
possible causes.
·
IMPORTANT - Before you set your transmit power
level, you need to check your radio manual and find out
what the recommended maximum transmit level and
duty cycle are. Most digital modes are similar to RTTY
(100% duty cycle) and cannot be run at full power
without damaging your radio. Also, some modes (like
PSK-31) typically only require 25 watts or less for
reliable communication.
out other users if you use too much power.
Receive Audio Adjustment
·
Open the Windows Volume Control Panel and select
Recording Controls .
available) and Microphone Volume controls should
6
below BEFORE making final
TX Level control for more
TX Level control for more
You can actually swamp
The Master Volume (if