Wow, so much for a non-kool aid question...You comments give up my friend! I have a K3, KX3 and TS-590. It's well documented that the nr in the K3 is poor and leave a lot to be desired. Also, in an effort to fix it by making it more adjustable, Elecraft overcomplicated its implementation. I love Elecraft products, but also love the simplicity and effectiveness of nr implementation in the TS-590 (in my opinion even better than the one in KX3). Regarding warranty and service, I totally agree Elecraft is hand down #1 in this area. However, Kenwood just fixed the ALC issue in my TS-590 free of charge after 4 years. The question is, can I send my 3 yrs old (early production) KX3 to Elecraft to get all the latest corrections/improvements (e.g. tuning noise) free of charge. After all, I paid about the same amount of money that someone is paying today for a better product. ;) I'm a big fan of Elecraft, but resist drinking the Kool aid in order to encourage competition. Robert-KP4Y
On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 12:00 PM, "ae...@carolinaheli.com" <ae...@carolinaheli.com> wrote: I'll make a few comments with information you likely already know and drop the thread. 1. audio hiss is common with the largest contributor being particles traversing the substrate layers of semi-conductors (you get it in tubes as well, just not as much). The design keys being S/N ratio, dynamic range, and gain. Any solution to remove hiss without consideration to S/N ratio and gain results in loss of signal level. Hard to complain about weak signal work if the system is degraded by mods/adjustments. 2. By default the K3S receive audio isn't optimal for everyone's ears and dynamic range. That's likely why there's an audio equalizer for both receive and transmit audio. If you've not adjusted that to optimize the audio to your tastes then you're missing out. I have different hearing issues in each ear. My wish is to be able to adjust left /right audio independently with both a single receiver and with the sub installed. I currently run with AFX on full delay. I usually hear signals on my right ear not my left unless I adjust the equalizer. My right ear being more sensitive than my left. Show me an audio circuit with no hiss and I'll show you missing signal level. For most audio applications this doesn't matter because there's ample signal. When working weak signal it's all about balance and working the edges. If you operate with all knobs cranked to the right I'd humbly and respectfully suggest that you review your operating procedures regardless of the radio you use. Kenwood makes a good radio, however, I've NEVER had good luck with service from them or Yaesu. Based on my experiences in forums, reflector, and talking with other hams; Elecraft is rabidly good about support. Jerry Moore CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324 http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and Patriotic. -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of jim Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 11:23 AM To: ae...@carolinaheli.com; 'Fred Townsend'; 'Robert Sands'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 DSP processor speed Jer, Perceived audio is just that. Perception. And to the individual, it is *everything*. Op skill does come into play, no doubt. Types of noise come into play, no doubt. The fact there are only two settings on the Kenwood does limit it's ability to "work" under different noise condx. The K3 is an excellent radio. I bought one after using a friends at Sweepstakes CW two years ago. The only time I looked back was when I had to hook up the Kenwood TS-480 and my perception is the NR was superior. BTW, I sent the K3 back because of hiss in the audio with the audio gain fully CCW. Elecraft bent over backwards to find the issue, and advised they compared to current production rigs, using an audio spectrum analyzer. I also sent the headphones to them in the event the complex impedance of them would induce this hiss. Yes, Elecraft service is second to none. The radio still has hiss, so I put a resistive pad inline and the hiss is gone and ride the audio at 12 noon. Jim W6AIM P.S. I do not subscribe to $75.00 per foot speaker cable ;>) . -----Original Message----- From: Jerry Moore [mailto:je...@carolinaheli.com] On Behalf Of ae...@carolinaheli.com Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 5:20 AM To: 'jim'; 'Fred Townsend'; 'Robert Sands'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 DSP processor speed Jim, Here's a non-KookAid question for you. Just like in school.. Show your work. You say that radio <insert make/model/version here> has better <insert feature here> than the K3/K3S with latest hardware/firmware. Please provide the data upon which you base this. What you hear /think you hear is not valid data because operator skill comes into play. I'm no expert but have played with the K3S long enough to know the power of it's NR is in finding the balance of settings to pull the desired signal out of the noise. Any system that only has a button for NR and lacks granular control of the parameters can't possibly pull signals out under all circumstances when compared to a system that allows for granular control. Opinions aside.. please provide the data upon which your claims are based. Claims without data are just opinion based on several factors; many of which are out of the operators control and change over time. No KoolAid, just facts. I don't know that the K3S is better. On paper a receiver system is dealing with component noise, board noise, power noise, dynamic range, overhead, sensitivity, gain..etc.. On my K3S when digging out signals I'm playing with RF gain, Roofing filters, IF DSP Filtering, AGC Slope, AGC Threshold, AGC Time, and finally NR DSP algorithm (of which the K3S has LOTS). I have 2 main NR settings: One when I expect to have strong local signals (e.g... contests) and one for normal use. When chasing weak signal DX I'll play with settings to see what I can do. You're lucky to have never had to send your Kenwood radio in for repair. You typically end up sending it to a third party repair shop with the hopes they know what they are doing and do more good than harm. Jerry Moore CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324 http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and Patriotic. -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of jim Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 9:14 PM To: 'Fred Townsend'; 'Robert Sands'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 DSP processor speed Kenwood (even the "cheap" TS-480) has superior NR. Even with just two different, fixed, settings. Jim W6AIM <cut> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to je...@carolinaheli.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k...@yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com