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Author Topic: Using Attenuation with 7300  (Read 327 times)

KC6RWI

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Using Attenuation with 7300
« on: November 27, 2020, 03:45:00 PM »

I am using my radio more now that conditions are changing. I have been using my 7300 for a few years now and I rarely have found a need to use the attenuation button.
I would probably turn the rf gain down sooner that I'd reach for the att button.
So if there is any other use for attenuation other than a very close station nearby?
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K6AER

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Re: Using Attenuation with 7300
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2020, 03:49:48 PM »

The short answer is No. The RF gain control has about 30 dB of range.
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KC6RWI

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Re: Using Attenuation with 7300
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2020, 05:49:18 PM »

Ok, I was expecting some sort of longer answer, for instance like the use of turning the rf gain down. Thanks
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N8NK

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    • N8NK QRP
Re: Using Attenuation with 7300
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2020, 06:48:37 PM »

On my Yaesu FTdx3000, I often need to knock down the signal levels on my 80 and 160m antennas. Actually often on 40 as well. On 160, it's a must. And I'm in a really quiet RF environment. It's the signal levels.. they're up there with my antennas. So, I'd MUCH rather hit the atten button for 20db of attenuation if need be than lower the RF gain control and make the S meter sit on S 31/2 or higher, depending on RF gain control setting. Take care all
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G8FXC

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Re: Using Attenuation with 7300
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2020, 04:14:17 AM »

My antennae are pretty poor, so I seldom need to lose gain - usually I want more. The primary exception is if I stray over to the dark side - as in FT-8 - there often seem to be other stations running close to a kilowatt on what is supposedly a weak signal mode - and splattering all over the place. For reasons that I don't understand, most digimode programs like WSJT-X and JS8Call don't seem to have any input level controls readily available. Rather than either poking around in the 7300 menus or the Windows control panel to reduce the audio input level from the rig, I will usually back off the RF gain till the WSJT-X signal meter stops overloading.

Martin (G8FXC)
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K0UA

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Re: Using Attenuation with 7300
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2020, 06:20:05 AM »

The short answer is No. The RF gain control has about 30 dB of range.

^ this. Use your RF gain control
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73  James K0UA

KX2T

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Re: Using Attenuation with 7300
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2020, 06:25:49 AM »

With the 7300 the MDS without the pre amp engaged is around -131db that is were most of the other radio's test with there first pre amp engaged so either you use the 20db attenuator or adjust the RF gain control which on the 7300 is like a continuous adjustable attenuation control but forget about the S meter reading because what you want to do is make the signal to noise more pleasing for band conditions.
On the FTDX3000 you have a three stage attenuation setting which is 6/12/18db plus two pre amps, the MDS on that radio is around -125db so it is already not as sensitive as the 7300 is so it may not need as much attenuation.   
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