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Reviews For: PSKMETER by KF6VSG

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : PSKMETER by KF6VSG
Reviews: 28MSRP: 39.35
Description:
Microprocessor-based RF signal sampler that periodically checks your RF output, computes its IMD locally, and automatically sets the sound card's audio level to provide the highest RF output with minimum distortion.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ssiserver.com/info/pskmeter/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00283.6
W4TME Rating: 2004-07-08
Déjà vu Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I was taken back when I read AB6ME’s review of the PSKmeter. His experience paralleled mine so closely it was spooky.

I have been looking for a way to cost effectively monitor my PSK signal without resorting to purchase an expensive scope and bought the PSKmeter to fulfill that requirement. Like Larry, the kit was well documented and nicely laid out. Took no time at all to build and test the unit. Fortunately I had some BNC Tees lying around and put together the RF interface without having to resort to spending any extra money. The major disadvantage I initially saw was that if I changed antennas, I had to physically move the RF interface. It is not very convenient to use when operating a contest.

Once I got everything set up, I noticed as well, that the software reduced my output to less than 15 watts to get an IMD of -30dB or better. I sent support an e-mail and they told me download the latest software version. I updated the software and that didn’t make much of a difference. After that, I was told that that it is working properly and my rig is the issue, not the PSKmeter. I was also told that I don’t need to operate more than 10 to 15 watts anyway (sour grapes?). I didn’t buy that reasoning. I have a very good rig designed for digital modes that should be capable of putting out at least -30 dB IMD @ 50 watts when everything is properly configured. After that, I noticed that they had new firmware available and tried to purchase an update to see if that was the problem, but several e-mails to KF6VSG went unanswered. Since I was out of the country, calling wasn’t an option. So Larry, there is another one of their customers that is having the same problems you experienced.

About that time is when I saw something about the IMD Meter from Clint KK7UQ, and thought that with its non-intrusive design, that it would better meet my needs. It did. What the IMD Meter showed was that my rig and sound card, when properly configured, will actually perform much better than expected. On one test I was running about 90 watts and when even showing some ALC, the IMD was still -34 dB or better. Some recent on-air testing has confirmed that this is the case. Obviously, I have reduced the power to a reasonable 30 watts for regular PSK operation. I also hooked up the PSKmeter to do a side-by-side comparison to see what it was reading compared to the IMD meter. The PSKmeter was always showing 10 dB worse (-24dB vs. -34 dB) IMD than the IMD meter.

IMHO, I believe that the PSKmeter is calculating the IMD much too aggressively, therefore the software that controls the audio from the computer is reducing it much too conservatively.

Like AB6ME, my PSK Meter didn’t meet my expectations so mine is also in the junk box just waiting for the next hamfest to be unloaded. Déjà vu.

-Tim W4TME
AB6ME Rating: 2004-07-06
Nice kit, but performance did not meet my expectations Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the PSK Meter kit based on reviews on EHam. The kit was shipped promptly. All the parts were shipped complete and of high quality. The assembly instructions were complete and easy to follow. All in all it was an easy and fun kit to build. No surprises.

I built my unit in one evening. After assembly, I checked it our per the instructions and it performed as expected. All voltages were within specs and no smoke . So, I hooked the unit up in line with my coax utilizing a BNC T-Connector and two BNC to PL-239 converters, as recommended in the instructions. Be aware that the price of the kit does NOT include the BNC T-Connector, the BNC/PL-239 convertors or the Coax patch needed to hook the unit up. I got mine at Radio Shack. There may be some place to get them cheaper, but between the connectors and the additional chunk of RG8 it added close to $20 to the price of the meter. Keep that in mind when comparing to competitive products. I also downloaded the latest software and loaded it on my computer. Installation presented no problems.

The PSK Meter is designed to interface to your computer via a serial port (RS-232). If you do not have a free com port (I didn't), it is necessary to purchase a USB to Serial interface. Add another $20 or more to the cost of this meter.

After everything was hooked up I loaded the software and commenced to test the operation of the meter on the air. Using MixW 2.12 I set my PSK signal to Idle and manually adjusted my MIC and Soundcard levels to an IMD of -30 dB. Gee, that was nice and easy and the readout on the monitor was everything I expected. It was nice to be able to see my signals IMD in real time displayed on my monitor. I was starting to get excited.

The greatest advantage of the PSK Meter, as compared to its competition the IMD Meter, is that it is supposed to automatically adjust soundcard levels for optimal signal IMD. That is why there is an RS-232 connection to the computer. This is where the unit just did not perform for me. When I set the PSK Meter software for "Automatic Level Control" it would adjust my soundcard levels until I had practically no gain and very little RF output. No matter what I did the automatic control would not function properly. I contacted Software Science for support via email. They sent me an updated version of the software which did not help the matter. I wrote to them a second time to tell them the problem persisted and I never got a response. So much for customer support.

Out of desperation I ordered a competitive product called IMD Meter from Clint Hurd (kk7uq). I wanted to have something to compare performance so I could rule out any problem with my station. You can read my review of the IMD Meter here on EHam, but in summary the IMD Meter worked perfectly and reports my normal IMD at -34 dB. So, while IMD Meter read my IMD at -34 dB, the PSK Meter read my IMD at a much higher level and adjusted my soundcard levels such that output would be reduced to nearly zero, making it unuseable in automatic mode. Obviously the PSK Meter was not accurately reading my signals IMD. By the way, on the air reports of my signal quality verify the accuracy of the IMD Meter and the inaccuracy of the PSk Meter.

I realize there may be a faulty component or something else wrong with my PSK Meter. In all fairness, Software Science tells me that none of their other customers are experiencing this problem. I don't know if that is the case or not. All I can say is that my PSK Meter passes all diagnostics and in every respect seems to be functioning within specs. However, on the air the unit just does not work as advertised. In addition, support from Software Science was superficial and, when the first simple recommendations did not work, there has been no support at all.

The PSK Meter is now collecting dust in my junk drawer and the IMD Meter is sitting on my desk performing perfectly. In addition, the IMD Meter does not require an additional outlay of $$$ for connectors, convertors and serial ports.

Anybody want to buy a PSK Meter......cheap??

KZ1X Rating: 2004-06-03
should be a required accessory Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This gizmo fixes the #1 problem on this mode.

It's inexpensive, works great, and is a snap to put in line.

I sure wish everyone would use one!

K9LZJ Rating: 2003-12-20
Excellent Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
What a first class device. The kit instructions, and quality of parts were first class. The software was very easy to install, and I quickly found that I was overdriving my TS-2000 on PSK. Would highly recommend this device to get the maximum power, with the highest quality signal from your 100 watt rig, or QRP station. Hank - K9LZJ
KD7KGX Rating: 2003-11-01
Clever bit of engineering AND a must-have for digital operators Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The PSKMeter is certainly a very good implementation of a very clever idea.

Is it absolutely perfect? No... I'd like to see support added for detecting non-PSK modes and automatically disabling the adjustment. I'd like to see a diode added between the positive terminal on the power jack and the 78L05. I'd like to see the software evolve to where it would communicate with common digital mode programs.

But, I'm sure that these things will happen. KF6VSG seems dedicated to this product, and I can vouch that he provides great customer service... when I fried the 78L05 and microprocessor he was very quick to get new parts out to me (I paid of course... not fair to expect the mfgr to pay when you/I screw up).

My unit is working after an easy build. It's fun to watch the PSK waveform on the 'scope' and see PSKMeter adjust the sound card for good IMD. I gave it a '5' because the kit is super-easy to build, with great instructions, and the completed kit fully lives up to expectations.

If you want to have a great PSK signal, then you can fiddle and dink with your mic gain and soundcard volume continuously... each time you change your frequency... or you can spend $39 and an enjoyable hour buying and building this kit and forget about manual adjustments.

This is something EVERY ham who operates PSK31 should have.
W4PSK Rating: 2003-09-17
Does what it says! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After a few on air PSK qso's with operators using this little device, I decided to check it out. Afterall ~ A QSO with N9VV "Ken" and KH6TY " Skip" showed their IMD to be fantastic! I bought, I built , and in summary ~ I ENJOY using this device! Build directions was easy and watching your controls on your soundcard change automatically is cool! I find myself doing alot of experimenting with my TS2000's tx equalization and settings to get the best IMD possible I get into the -30's now!!!
Best 73's
Gary ~ W5PSK ~ Garland, Texas
WA5UBN Rating: 2003-08-16
xp windows Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My xp windows home edition works perfect with psk meter have been using it for about 6 weeks now...Also know several guys using xp Pro and no problem with the psk meter.
N9VV Rating: 2003-06-02
Required PSK instrument Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I built the PSKmeter in less than an hour this weekend and enjoyed measuring the digi rigs in the shack. I think that PSKmeter will help me achieve an optimum signal with any PSK software and any rig I use. A good quality O'scope is indeed a great way to visualize our IMD - if you happen to own one. For the average ham, I think this is an attractive alternative and economical PSK instrument for any digi mode shack.
de ken n9vv