Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
My audio will distort and cut out as you describe if it's a very strong AM signal (nearly full scale on the s-meter) and the volume is turned up to that extreme. But that is really loud. I usually have the AF Gain set at 1/4 rotation or less, so don't really consider it a problem here. I never under any circumstance have to go up as far as 3/4 on the AF Gain (unless the AGC is off and the RF Gain is way down, in which case there is no distortion). FWIW, you can set Config: AF GAIN to "HI" or "LO". The feel of my AF & RF controls are smooth. They have a very small side-to-side play but no bad wobble/looseness as you describe. When I rotate the RF Gain full CCW it is very quiet, just a very faint noise level can be heard with the AF Gain full CW. I consider it normal operation. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:50:25 -0800 (PST), you wrote: > >Hello, > >I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go to an >AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or >farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio >disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. The >audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the Af gain >(Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did check >the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same >problem. > >The AF knob feels like it was one of those "old potentiometers" that we are >all aware of (Get scratchy after use and loose). From my understanding >Elecraft used extremely fine pots with a very long life (They do have a bad >wobble/looseness in them though). > >Upon further investigation I found that if I rotated the RF gain control >from the fully clockwise position (all the way open) to the full counter >clockwise position (all the way closed) that when you almost get to the end >of travel the radio audio goes completely dead. I have tried this multiples >times and it is very repeatable. > >After more investigation I found that if I rotated the "shift" (While in AM >or Sync AM) control from its standard (Normal) value of 1.50 to 1.55 this >horrible distortion would disappear? I am really confused as to what is >going on here. > >This happens while in the "Normal" AM mode as well as the "Sync" AM mode. > >I have tried to explain this in away that I hope most people will understand >my problem (I am not an EE). > >Could others please let me know if it is my unit or a wider problem? > >I am using 3.59 and the serial number is 283?. This unit was fully loaded >and built by Elecraft. > >Thanks, > >Rick __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
If you're using the 2.8 or 2.1 filters for AM mode reception, it would probably sound distorted. The 2.8 works fine for listening to AM in SSB mode though. matt W6NIA K3 #24 On Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:50:28 -0800 (PST), you wrote: > >Hey Joe, > >Thanks for the fast reply! > >No, I do not have the AGC Off, nor have I changed any of the "settings" >within the AGC (Menus). I should have stated that in my original post. >Anyway, I am really stumped as what the problem is. > >If you happen to have a K3 equipped as mine, could try to listen to an AM >station with the "Volume" turned up, to see if you are receiving the >distortion? > >I should have been more specific, the radio is totally loaded. It does >have the 8 Pole filters in both receivers. From my recollection I have the >following filters: 250 Data & CW, 2.1 for SSB, 2.8 for SSB, and 6 for AM, >and 13 for FM. I hope this makes it a litter clearer and not more >confusing. > >Thanks Joe, > >Rick > > > >Thanks, > >Rick > > > >Joe Planisky wrote: >> >> Hi Rick, >> >> Do you perhaps have AGC turned off and the AF LIM set to a value of >> less than 30? The distortion and eventual cutting out of audio at >> high levels you are describing sounds a lot like the intended AF >> limiter action. If so, the solution is to either turn on AGC, or >> increase the AF LIM setting closer to 30. I find an AF LIM setting of >> 28 allows as much dynamic range as I want while still protecting my >> tender ears from various pops and static crashes. >> >> The AF limiter is intended to protect your ears and speakers from >> unexpectedly loud signals when AGC is turned off. It will prevent the >> output from exceeding the preset value at the expense of distortion. >> >> >> 73 >> -- >> Joe KB8AP >> >> >> >> On Dec 5, 2009, at 8:50 PM, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: >> >>> >>> Hello, >>> >>> I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go >>> to an >>> AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or >>> farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio >>> disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. >>> The >>> audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the >>> Af gain >>> (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did >>> check >>> the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same >>> problem. >> >> __ >> 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 >> >> __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
What firmware rev are you using? --- On Sat, 12/5/09, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: From: Richard Jones - KJ5QY Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 9:50 PM Hello, I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go to an AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. The audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the Af gain (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did check the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same problem. The AF knob feels like it was one of those "old potentiometers" that we are all aware of (Get scratchy after use and loose). From my understanding Elecraft used extremely fine pots with a very long life (They do have a bad wobble/looseness in them though). Upon further investigation I found that if I rotated the RF gain control from the fully clockwise position (all the way open) to the full counter clockwise position (all the way closed) that when you almost get to the end of travel the radio audio goes completely dead. I have tried this multiples times and it is very repeatable. After more investigation I found that if I rotated the "shift" (While in AM or Sync AM) control from its standard (Normal) value of 1.50 to 1.55 this horrible distortion would disappear? I am really confused as to what is going on here. This happens while in the "Normal" AM mode as well as the "Sync" AM mode. I have tried to explain this in away that I hope most people will understand my problem (I am not an EE). Could others please let me know if it is my unit or a wider problem? I am using 3.59 and the serial number is 283?. This unit was fully loaded and built by Elecraft. Thanks, Rick -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Distorted-Sound-while-using-AM-tp4120316p4120316.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
Sorry - I missed that you said you have this on the internal speaker also. Very strange. -Original Message- From: Bob Naumann [mailto:w...@w5ov.com] Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 8:20 AM To: 'Richard Jones - KJ5QY'; 'elecraft@mailman.qth.net' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM Have you checked the wiring to your external speaker? After the addition of the sync AM I have zero distortion on AM signals with my K3 - I have the 6kHz filter for AM. 73, Bob W5OV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard Jones - KJ5QY Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 11:50 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM Hey Joe, Thanks for the fast reply! No, I do not have the AGC Off, nor have I changed any of the "settings" within the AGC (Menus). I should have stated that in my original post. Anyway, I am really stumped as what the problem is. If you happen to have a K3 equipped as mine, could try to listen to an AM station with the "Volume" turned up, to see if you are receiving the distortion? I should have been more specific, the radio is totally loaded. It does have the 8 Pole filters in both receivers. From my recollection I have the following filters: 250 Data & CW, 2.1 for SSB, 2.8 for SSB, and 6 for AM, and 13 for FM. I hope this makes it a litter clearer and not more confusing. Thanks Joe, Rick Thanks, Rick Joe Planisky wrote: > > Hi Rick, > > Do you perhaps have AGC turned off and the AF LIM set to a value of > less than 30? The distortion and eventual cutting out of audio at > high levels you are describing sounds a lot like the intended AF > limiter action. If so, the solution is to either turn on AGC, or > increase the AF LIM setting closer to 30. I find an AF LIM setting of > 28 allows as much dynamic range as I want while still protecting my > tender ears from various pops and static crashes. > > The AF limiter is intended to protect your ears and speakers from > unexpectedly loud signals when AGC is turned off. It will prevent the > output from exceeding the preset value at the expense of distortion. > > > 73 > -- > Joe KB8AP > > > > On Dec 5, 2009, at 8:50 PM, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: > >> >> Hello, >> >> I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go >> to an >> AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or >> farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio >> disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. >> The >> audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the >> Af gain >> (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did >> check >> the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same >> problem. > > __ > 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 > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Distorted-Sound-while-using-AM-tp4120316p4120453.htm l Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
Have you checked the wiring to your external speaker? After the addition of the sync AM I have zero distortion on AM signals with my K3 - I have the 6kHz filter for AM. 73, Bob W5OV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard Jones - KJ5QY Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 11:50 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM Hey Joe, Thanks for the fast reply! No, I do not have the AGC Off, nor have I changed any of the "settings" within the AGC (Menus). I should have stated that in my original post. Anyway, I am really stumped as what the problem is. If you happen to have a K3 equipped as mine, could try to listen to an AM station with the "Volume" turned up, to see if you are receiving the distortion? I should have been more specific, the radio is totally loaded. It does have the 8 Pole filters in both receivers. From my recollection I have the following filters: 250 Data & CW, 2.1 for SSB, 2.8 for SSB, and 6 for AM, and 13 for FM. I hope this makes it a litter clearer and not more confusing. Thanks Joe, Rick Thanks, Rick Joe Planisky wrote: > > Hi Rick, > > Do you perhaps have AGC turned off and the AF LIM set to a value of > less than 30? The distortion and eventual cutting out of audio at > high levels you are describing sounds a lot like the intended AF > limiter action. If so, the solution is to either turn on AGC, or > increase the AF LIM setting closer to 30. I find an AF LIM setting of > 28 allows as much dynamic range as I want while still protecting my > tender ears from various pops and static crashes. > > The AF limiter is intended to protect your ears and speakers from > unexpectedly loud signals when AGC is turned off. It will prevent the > output from exceeding the preset value at the expense of distortion. > > > 73 > -- > Joe KB8AP > > > > On Dec 5, 2009, at 8:50 PM, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: > >> >> Hello, >> >> I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go >> to an >> AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or >> farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio >> disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. >> The >> audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the >> Af gain >> (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did >> check >> the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same >> problem. > > __ > 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 > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Distorted-Sound-while-using-AM-tp4120316p4120453.htm l Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
Hi, I've encountered the same once. It took me awhile to notice that the distortion on AM was caused by the NB or NR being switched on. Might this be your problem too? 73, Frank PA4N At 06:50 06/12/2009, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: >Hey Joe, > >Thanks for the fast reply! > >No, I do not have the AGC Off, nor have I changed any of the "settings" >within the AGC (Menus). I should have stated that in my original post. >Anyway, I am really stumped as what the problem is. > >If you happen to have a K3 equipped as mine, could try to listen to an AM >station with the "Volume" turned up, to see if you are receiving the >distortion? > >I should have been more specific, the radio is totally loaded. It does >have the 8 Pole filters in both receivers. From my recollection I have the >following filters: 250 Data & CW, 2.1 for SSB, 2.8 for SSB, and 6 for AM, >and 13 for FM. I hope this makes it a litter clearer and not more >confusing. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
Hey Joe, Thanks for the fast reply! No, I do not have the AGC Off, nor have I changed any of the "settings" within the AGC (Menus). I should have stated that in my original post. Anyway, I am really stumped as what the problem is. If you happen to have a K3 equipped as mine, could try to listen to an AM station with the "Volume" turned up, to see if you are receiving the distortion? I should have been more specific, the radio is totally loaded. It does have the 8 Pole filters in both receivers. From my recollection I have the following filters: 250 Data & CW, 2.1 for SSB, 2.8 for SSB, and 6 for AM, and 13 for FM. I hope this makes it a litter clearer and not more confusing. Thanks Joe, Rick Thanks, Rick Joe Planisky wrote: > > Hi Rick, > > Do you perhaps have AGC turned off and the AF LIM set to a value of > less than 30? The distortion and eventual cutting out of audio at > high levels you are describing sounds a lot like the intended AF > limiter action. If so, the solution is to either turn on AGC, or > increase the AF LIM setting closer to 30. I find an AF LIM setting of > 28 allows as much dynamic range as I want while still protecting my > tender ears from various pops and static crashes. > > The AF limiter is intended to protect your ears and speakers from > unexpectedly loud signals when AGC is turned off. It will prevent the > output from exceeding the preset value at the expense of distortion. > > > 73 > -- > Joe KB8AP > > > > On Dec 5, 2009, at 8:50 PM, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: > >> >> Hello, >> >> I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go >> to an >> AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or >> farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio >> disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. >> The >> audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the >> Af gain >> (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did >> check >> the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same >> problem. > > __ > 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 > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Distorted-Sound-while-using-AM-tp4120316p4120453.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
Hi Rick, Do you perhaps have AGC turned off and the AF LIM set to a value of less than 30? The distortion and eventual cutting out of audio at high levels you are describing sounds a lot like the intended AF limiter action. If so, the solution is to either turn on AGC, or increase the AF LIM setting closer to 30. I find an AF LIM setting of 28 allows as much dynamic range as I want while still protecting my tender ears from various pops and static crashes. The AF limiter is intended to protect your ears and speakers from unexpectedly loud signals when AGC is turned off. It will prevent the output from exceeding the preset value at the expense of distortion. 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Dec 5, 2009, at 8:50 PM, Richard Jones - KJ5QY wrote: > > Hello, > > I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go > to an > AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or > farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio > disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. > The > audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the > Af gain > (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did > check > the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same > problem. __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 Distorted Sound while using AM
Hello, I am having a problem when I go into AM, or AM sync. Example: I go to an AM Shortwave station. If I turn the AF gain past approximately 3/4 or farther the radio starts to "Stutter, Distort, and finally the audio disappears. I cannot make out what is coming out from my speaker. The audio is completely distorted or gone. I noticed I could rotate the Af gain (Counter Clockwise) and it would go back to less distortion. I did check the external speaker jack and also unplugged it only to find the same problem. The AF knob feels like it was one of those "old potentiometers" that we are all aware of (Get scratchy after use and loose). From my understanding Elecraft used extremely fine pots with a very long life (They do have a bad wobble/looseness in them though). Upon further investigation I found that if I rotated the RF gain control from the fully clockwise position (all the way open) to the full counter clockwise position (all the way closed) that when you almost get to the end of travel the radio audio goes completely dead. I have tried this multiples times and it is very repeatable. After more investigation I found that if I rotated the "shift" (While in AM or Sync AM) control from its standard (Normal) value of 1.50 to 1.55 this horrible distortion would disappear? I am really confused as to what is going on here. This happens while in the "Normal" AM mode as well as the "Sync" AM mode. I have tried to explain this in away that I hope most people will understand my problem (I am not an EE). Could others please let me know if it is my unit or a wider problem? I am using 3.59 and the serial number is 283?. This unit was fully loaded and built by Elecraft. Thanks, Rick -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Distorted-Sound-while-using-AM-tp4120316p4120316.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
