[Elecraft] Musings on Noise Reduction
I ran a single-op QRP effort in the ARRL 160M contest this weekend. I ran about half the time with my K2, and the other half with my K3 @ 5 watts. It was interesting to compare the two rigs. I did not run any laboratory tests, so this clearly falls into the category of opinion. But the K2 DSP noise reduction is far superior to the K3's, at least on 160M. I played with the settings on the K3's NR throughout the contest, but it always appears to me that engaging NR reduces the signal level by a good 10 dB (or more) no matter what you do. By setting it to F1-1, there is a reasonable tradeoff between noise reduction and signal strength, but just about any other setting seems to drop the signals into the mud, I also did some reading (during daylight hours) and found a good article on K3 NR at http://www.zerobeat.net/mediawiki/index.php/K3_DSP The gist of that article is that in order to get the most benefit from the NR system, you need to keep your bandwidth set rather wide. There may be some truth to that. but it is not a strategy that works well during a contest. The K2, on the other hand, does not significantly reduce signal level when NR is engaged. It also does a great job of dropping the noise level by several S-units. There is some signal distortion, but it is not objectionable. The best part is that you can reduce the bandwidth using the narrower CW filters, and the noise reduction is not affected. The K3 is a superior rig in most aspects and is still my choice for contesting in LP and HP categories, as well as for DXing. But so far I have not been enamored with the noise reduction system. Thanks and 73, John, WA6L -- Joe E. Lewis - The way taxes are, you might as well marry for love. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 #611 QRV
The Mojo continues! I finished the K3 this weekend. The first two answers to my CQ were Paraguay and Chile. Then I worked 5T5DC split on 40M. So, how do you get non-DX stations to answer you? :-) I am still learning the rig, but wow -- that receiver is sure quiet. I am loving life! 73, John, WA6L K3: 611 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Filter preset question
With the FM filter in slot 1 and the 2.7 kHz filter in slot 3 (slot 2 empty). The latest firmware is installed: I go to any band and select USB. The rig is set at 6.0 kHz bandwidth and FL1 is selected. I change it to 2.7 kHz and FL3. I then go to CW on another band. When I switch back to the original band and back to SSB, the rig is once again at 6.0 kHz bandwidth and FL1. If I am reading the manual correctly, shouldn't it remember the previous settings? I tried turning off FL1 for USB and LSB and it didn't make any difference. I have only a few hours in the pilot's seat, so it is quite possible I have something misconfigured, although I have been through the filter settings a half-dozen times. Anyone have any ideas as to what might be wrong? Thanks and 73, John, WA6L ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Serial #611
K3 Serial number 611 was waiting for me when I got home this evening. It was ordered on 09/04/07. 73, John, WA6L ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] I can't take it any more . . .
I tried and tried, but I finally had to give in. I ordered my K3 today. Delivery will be late November or early December. 73, John, WA6L ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Optical Encoder Test Problem
My K2 just started doing the same thing. I redid all the solder joints between the board and the encoder, then checked the list archives to see if anyone else had that problem. I am going to order and install a new encoder. The reason I think that it is the encoder itself is that with the knob off and the nut on the encoder loose, I can wiggle it around to get it to work. You would think that would be a bad solder joint, but as I said, I redid all four wires and checked them with an ohmmeter. I think it's something internal to the encoder. It's not a hard part to replace. I will let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I am using rig control to adjust frequency. :-( 73, John, WA6L Just started the the alignment test Part 1 on my K2 (Rev. f) page 42. Everything went well, no smoke or error codes, until I got to the Optical Encoder Test step2. It says to turn VFO knob in both directions and verify that displayed freq. changes accordingly. The only change I see is the right most digit, and it only changes from 7100.00 to 7100.01. Obviously not much movement. Have not seen this particular problem posted so I'm in the dark as to know how to fix it other than check my previous work. Any help would be appreciated. Guy Bridge N7BIR -- The world is best viewed through the ears of a horse. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] CQ Field Day de K6S
Special event station K6S will be operating from the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at the UCSD campus in La Jolla California. This will be a 2B (solar and battery) QRP operation featuring a K2, a K1, and a PSK-20 from Small Wonder Labs. We will undoubtedly be doing a lot of SP, but we may also try some CQ at the QRP frequencies. If anyone is interested in a sked, please let me know. Additional information is available at http://www.qrz.com/k6s. We have a nice QSL card planned for the operation as well. 73, John, WA6L -- The world is best viewed through the ears of a horse. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 CW and DSP
Hi, Robert, Yep -- I am sure that is what it is. You have confirmed what other people have told me and I will change the BFO this weekend. It is sure nice to have the resources and experience that I have found on the Elecraft reflector. Well, I think filter settings are a lot a chile recipe. Different people have different ideas of what is good and bad. But having said that, I am happy to share what works best for me. I haven't owned the K2 for that long. I also have a K1 and an IC-746pro. Both of these have different filtering setups, and the IC-746pro has DSP, but implemented much differently than the K2. So my settings are the result of experimentation. I have my 2nd crystal filter set for 800 Hz. I have found that this is a great compromise between the 1st filter (wide open) and the narrower filters. This then feeds 800 Hz bandpass to the DSP. So I just keep the crystal filters at that setting. The DSP I have set up with 800, 400, and 200 Hz. Noise reduction is on and set to 2. When I am searching for a signal I keep it at 800. Once I find the signal I have the option of narrowing the DSP to 400 or 200 if the band is busy. I have tried both the soft and regular CW filter settings on DSP. Honestly, I don't see much difference. However, after operating on a couple of contests I decided I liked the way things worked with the regular setting (big 'C' on the filter window) a little better. Anyhow, this works for me. Thanks again for your help on the BFO issue! 73, John, WA6L On Jun 5, 2007, at 8:03 PM, Robert G. Strickland wrote: John... Perhaps you have your BFO set in the middle of the wide band. That way you'd get a tone on either side. That said, I sure would like to hear about the CW filter settings that you found useful. Thanks in advance. robert #5957 At 06/04/2007 12:42, John Graf wrote: -- The world is best viewed through the ears of a horse. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 CW and DSP
Excellent!! Thanks for taking the time to write and for the in-depth explanation. I am constantly amazed (and grateful) for the expertise available here on the reflector. I will be working to correct the problem this weekend. I have used Spectrogram (though obviously not well) and have a copy. I like your idea of using the OPT1 filter and will give that a try. Thanks again and 73, John, WA6L On Jun 5, 2007, at 8:54 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: John, That is not a consequence of any construction error, but a consequence of your filter alignment. When you align a wide filter for either CW or SSB, do NOT CENTER it. Use Spectrogram and align it so that the low frequency edge of the passband cuts off above zero frequency (I prefer 200 Hz at the lowest corner). In other words, an 1800 Hz wide CW filter should have an audio response from 200 to 2000 Hz. -- The world is best viewed through the ears of a horse. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2 CW and DSP
I've been experimenting with the DSP filters on my K2 and I have found several combinations of DSP and crystal filtering that work very well on CW (at least for me). However, I have run into a strange phenomenon. Here is how I reproduce it: I set my crystal filter at its widest setting (1.8 KHz). The DSP filter is set for low pass with noise reduction on. With this combination, I am able to find two identical CW signals on either side of a center frequency. It operates just like a direct-conversion receiver. So here are a couple of questions for the group: First, has anyone else seen this happen? If not, do you think it may be a construction error on the DSP board? How about a screw-up in the filter alignment or programming? Thanks and 73, John, WA6L -- The world is best viewed through the ears of a horse. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2: No 12m or 10m Transmit
Hi, Folks, I lost power out on both 10 Meters and 12 Meters. Reception on those bands is fine. Other bands put out full power. Any ideas of where to look? I would think that the band-pass filters are good if I can receive. I'm not sure what else is specific to those two bands. Thanks! John, WA6L ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 and K2
From what I've seen of the K3, it is truly an impressive rig! But I think I am going to stick with my plans to build a K2 this summer. Having built the K1, I think I am hooked on the full-blown kit- building experience. So with that said, what is the future of the K2 (and K1)? How long will they continue to be offered and supported? 73, John, WA6L ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
