I'm preparing for the upcoming CQ WW SSB and struggling with my FT-991A audio settings. Currently using the stock HM-151 mic and getting mixed signal reports - some say I sound great, others report thin/weak audio.

My current settings: MIC gain at 60%, PROC at OFF, AMC at 50%. Power meter shows around 25-30W average on voice peaks. I know I should be seeing more like 35-40W average for proper modulation depth.

Has anyone found optimal PROC and AMC settings for the 991A that give good punch without splatter? Also considering upgrading to a Heil HC-4 element - worth it for this rig?

The goal is to improve your sound quality and increase average power output without causing distortion. I found turning on processing and compression increased my power output from 50W peaks to 75W average with 100W peaks much more often. Try MIC 50%, PROC 30%, AMC 30% and watch your ALC meter - keep it within recommended range.

Set your SSB TX bandwidth to 400-2600 Hz for DX work. You may find it easier to get talk power without distortion by using this narrower transmit bandwidth with slightly more mic gain rather than heavy processing. The HC-4 element is definitely worth it for the 991A.

Most rigs show around 30W average when mic gain is properly configured. The mistake people make is trying to see 100W average output and they crank up mic gain and processing, resulting in horrible audio and dirty signals that interfere with adjacent frequencies. Start conservative and get signal reports before pushing harder.