Icom: ICOM 7300 PO (Power meter) only shows what its set for not true output

[KE5MC]

Good to see in CW the internal meter and external meter agree. SSB complicates the measuring as a external audio driving source is needed and the external meter is still an unknown device. A peak reading external meter must be able to hold and display the peaks of the audio driving source. While meters may have a peak reading switch they also need powered electronics to pull it off with any degree of accuracy. That level of circuitry is typically not seen in low cost meters. Your radio already has the required hardware to support peak reading. Personally I would trust the radio reading before the external meter. Lots of information on the net to research RF power measurement, but like anything on the net review with caution. If Marconi was not curious and persistent we would still be using string and tin cans.
Good Luck!

 

[prcguy]

I would ignore the internal ALC and Comp metering. You can turn up every knob to max in a 7300 and it will not splatter or generate signals out of its tightly controlled pass band. All the audio processing is done to digitized mic audio and is a computer simulation of a compressor and equalizer, etc. The radio then produces an RF waveform somewhere down the DSP chain that is very clean no matter what you dialed up.

It could be the ALC and Comp metering has led you to lower than normal settings and lower output power on SSB. Try these proven settings, which gives full output and excellent punchy transmit audio using the stock mic on all 7300s I've encountered.

Mic gain: 50%
Compression: ON level 3
TX EQ SSB: Bass 0, Treble +4
Transmit BW: Wide

Granted and once again well written. I am familiar with how to set the levels and transverse the menus.
I have tried 2 different meters with the same result.
I have set the radio up as per the balancing act between ALC/Comp/Mic gain.
On CW I get a full 100watt deflection on the external meter when set the internal Power is set at 100 watts and the internal meter shows I00 watts.
On SSB I get 40 Watts deflection on the external meter when the internal power is set for 100 watts and the internal meter reads 100.
this leads me to questiuon the internal meter.

 

[Retroradio]

I would ignore the internal ALC and Comp metering. You can turn up every knob to max in a 7300 and it will not splatter or generate signals out of its tightly controlled pass band. All the audio processing is done to digitized mic audio and is a computer simulation of a compressor and equalizer, etc. The radio then produces an RF waveform somewhere down the DSP chain that is very clean no matter what you dialed up.

It could be the ALC and Comp metering has led you to lower than normal settings and lower output power on SSB. Try these proven settings, which gives full output and excellent punchy transmit audio using the stock mic on all 7300s I've encountered.

Mic gain: 50%
Compression: ON level 3
TX EQ SSB: Bass 0, Treble +4
Transmit BW: Wide

I will try those and post.
I have had the settings close to that but for comparison sake will set it up with those and try. Thanks all for the input so far.

 

[alcahuete]

Does the 7300 have a Drive setting, or is that just the 7610? I know the 7610 does, but I don't have my 7300 or a manual in front of me.

 

[Retroradio]

Does the 7300 have a Drive setting, or is that just the 7610? I know the 7610 does, but I don't have my 7300 or a manual in front of me.

It has an adjustable power out setting.

 

[alcahuete]

It has an adjustable power out setting.

No, that's not what I'm talking about. On the 7610, there is a Drive setting in one of the menus, that helps immensely with the output power. I can't for the life of me remember if the 7300 has that or not.

 

[Retroradio]

No it does not have a drive setting. I mentioned the power setting just in case.

 

[Retroradio]

Here’s a twist I found by scoUring the internet.
Firmware update 1.12 (2020/01/24) dealt with an improvement in SSB transmission. There are 6 updates From version 1.12 to Ver 1.3. Each detailing a different change. All have the same release date.

Does the highest include all the changes below it or do you install from the lowest up or just install the one that addresses the issue you are having? I have firmware 1.3 installed.

 

[popnokick]

If ICOM follows the pattern of their "normal" firmware updates for their radios, all prior updates are included in the most recent version. You appear to have the most recent version for the IC-7300 (1.3).

 

[Retroradio]

If ICOM follows the pattern of their "normal" firmware updates for their radios, all prior updates are included in the most recent version. You appear to have the most recent version for the IC-7300 (1.3).

Good to know. That would dash my hope that going to the the version that helped SSB would aid in my dilemma.

 

[Retroradio]

Okay, I contacted a local radio shop and they said they to set tthe he internal meter to peak function and to go with that. I was already set to peak... This leads me back to some of the original suggestions to go with the internal meter. This would indictate that its doing what its supposed to do.
I’m borrowing a Bird meter as a last check anyway.....lol
Either way I’m still very happy with this radio.