Low signal when breaking squelch

G4EML
Posts: 919
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:01 am

Re: Low signal when breaking squelch

Post by G4EML » Sat Mar 20, 2021 12:08 pm

From the video it appears that your S meter is reading about 30% with no signal. If it reads zero with the antenna disconnected then you must have a very high level of local interference, even though you can’t hear it. It will have the effect of making your radio appear very deaf. The strange effect you are seeing could be because the noise level is confusing the radio’s automatic gain control.
High noise levels can be caused by computers or switched mode power supplies.

If possible try an outdoor location away from buildings and see if the problem is still there. In an RF quiet location you should be able to connect and disconnect the antenna without seeing any change in the S meter reading.

WA0YCN
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 3:03 pm

Re: Low signal when breaking squelch

Post by WA0YCN » Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:05 pm

Thanks for all your assistance. I’m surprised more people haven’t complained about this, as it’s functionally impossible to carry on a QSO in analog mode with this situation.

The good news is that Radioddity tech support has confirmed what’s happening:

“After confirmation, the radio will receive all the radio signals after the squelch is turned off. When these signals pass through the decoder of the radio, some of the signals will be mixed lead to that the final output signal will be weakened, which will cause such problems.

According to the feedback of the technical team, this is not a firmware problem, and we will try to optimize this signal transmission problem. And we will officially announce the information once the software and firmware update.

Welcome to keep an eye on our official website. Many thanks for your kind understanding.”


Hopefully we will see a fix soon? Question is will it need to filter through OpenGD77 as well.

G4EML
Posts: 919
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:01 am

Re: Low signal when breaking squelch

Post by G4EML » Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:23 pm

More people haven’t complained about this because it is not happening for them. Plenty of people are having analogue QSOs without any problem. Your radio appears to be behaving differently to others.

That reply from Radioddity really does not say anything useful. In fact it contradicts itself. It first says that it is not a firmware problem and then says to watch for an update?

VK3KYY
Posts: 7478
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:25 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Low signal when breaking squelch

Post by VK3KYY » Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:04 pm

99.99% of radios do not experience the problem you have.

I'd recommend you find someone else locally with a GD-77 and try it at your QTH.

If it doesn't have the problem, then your radio has a hardware fault.
If it does have the same problem, but the owner doesn't have the same problem at their QTH, then its something related to your QTH.



IMO, the response from Radioddity does not make any sense.
Either something has been lost in translation from Chinese to English, or they are just fobbing you off.

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