[Elecraft] need advice on rig
Aloha: I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb. I think I want to get rid of it. Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase? Susan If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA --- On Fri, 8/20/10, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > From: Joe Subich, W4TV > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Friday, August 20, 2010, 8:49 AM > > > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or > other audio rack > > gear? > > Why bother? The K3 already provides all of the > capability of the > W2IHY 8 band EQ/noise gate, adds downward expansion in the > noise > gate and there is no issue with external hum loops, RF > pick-up, etc. > > > I'm still waiting for my K3 to get back from the > factory, but I plan > > on running the full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil > GM-5 Mic. > > I've used wide range (broadcast style) mics and the Heil > HC-5 element > with the K3's internal EQ and find that configuring the K3 > for a 6 dB > per octave roll off below 400 Hz (50 Hz: -16dB, 100 Hz: > -12dB, 200 Hz: > -6 dB), a -6dB "notch" at 800 Hz and 6 dB per octave rise > above 1000 Hz > (1600 Hz: +6dB, 2400 Hz: +10dB, 3200 Hz: +12dB) yields > extremely good > audio reports with the "broadcast" mic and a lot of > "presence" without > the "restricted" sound on the HC-5. > > Coupled with "CMP" at 25, this provides plenty of "punch" > without > sounding over processed and "all highs" like the HC-4. > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > On 8/20/2010 11:54 AM, Tim Tucker wrote: > > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or > other audio rack gear? If > > so, I'm curious as to the settings you ended up with > on the rig. I'm still > > waiting for my K3 to get back from the factory, but I > plan on running the > > full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil GM-5 Mic. I > imagine I will probably > > end up with the comp and EQ on the rig turned off, but > I'd like to hear what > > others do. > > > > Tim > > AE6LX > > > > On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 7:57 AM, Philippe > Trottet > wrote: > > > >> Hi James, > >> I'm using MH2 also for Field day opertions and > almost same as you, set > >> MIC=2& COMP=20 TX equalizer has > been adjust to my loud voice given > >> preferential to medium high > audio. Great > >> 73's > >> Philippe A65BI > >> K3#3616 > >> > > > 20-08-2010 18:54>>> > >> Who uses the Elecraft hand mic? I do and mic gain > has to be set low; i.e. > >> around 8 or 9 to prevent clipping and flat > topping as viewed on a monitor > >> scope. This is with mic sensitivity set to > low in the menu. I was once > >> told that the hand mics are a tad hot, but mine > seems to be excessively so. > >> > >> Regardless, my comp is set to 15 or 20 and I get > excellent audio reports. > >> > >> James K2QI > >> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile > >> > >> -Original Message- > >> From: Stephen Prior > >> Sender: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > >> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:21:00 > >> To: elecraft > >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation > >> > >> I use the Heil MD2 microphone which has an > electret element. I have both > >> compression and mic gain set to 25, and mic set to > front panel low with > >> bias. > >> > >> I have far more 'talk power' than I have enjoyed > with any previous radio. > >> > >> 73 Stephen G4SJP > >> > >> > >> On 20/08/2010 04:24, "Joseph Trombino, Jr" > wrote: > >> > >> > Hi > > We are the proud owners of 6 K3/100 used > at the FY5KE contest station. > These radios has been delivered around > mid-2008 and their serial numbers > are in the 012xx range. > > After using mostly these rigs for SSB > contesting in FY5KE or in other > places, we are still facing a lack of > "dynamics", "punch", > "penetration", "power", whatever you call > it. In other words, when > comparing this rig to our radios we > previously used (TS-850), with the > same microphone (Heil HC-4 element) and > the same output RF power, the K3 > is clearly way behind in term of "average > power" we can read on the Bird > wattmeter wired on its RF output. Even if > observing the wattmeter needle > is not a very scientific measurement (we > admit it), various comparative > reports on the air do confirm our > feeling. > > We spent time on various available > settings (mic gain, compressor level, > etc), with no luck, excepted a very > distorted and awful audio to roughly > reach the same level, which is not > acceptable. > > After a little Googling, it appears that > other contesters suffers the > same issue (e.g. > www.bavarian-contest-club.de/projects/K3_english.pdf >
Re: [Elecraft] need advice on rig
Hi Susan, I love my K3 and it may be worth you trying a little longer to get used too. And if I were going to step down in quality to me the next best rig is the Elecraft K2...not as complicated but a great CW rig. Joe KK5NA On Fri, 2010-08-20 at 12:04 -0700, ussv dharma wrote: > Aloha: > I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. > It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it > to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb. > > I think I want to get rid of it. > > Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase? > > Susan > > If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! > Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA > > > --- On Fri, 8/20/10, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > > From: Joe Subich, W4TV > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation > > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > Date: Friday, August 20, 2010, 8:49 AM > > > > > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or > > other audio rack > > > gear? > > > > Why bother? The K3 already provides all of the > > capability of the > > W2IHY 8 band EQ/noise gate, adds downward expansion in the > > noise > > gate and there is no issue with external hum loops, RF > > pick-up, etc. > > > > > I'm still waiting for my K3 to get back from the > > factory, but I plan > > > on running the full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil > > GM-5 Mic. > > > > I've used wide range (broadcast style) mics and the Heil > > HC-5 element > > with the K3's internal EQ and find that configuring the K3 > > for a 6 dB > > per octave roll off below 400 Hz (50 Hz: -16dB, 100 Hz: > > -12dB, 200 Hz: > > -6 dB), a -6dB "notch" at 800 Hz and 6 dB per octave rise > > above 1000 Hz > > (1600 Hz: +6dB, 2400 Hz: +10dB, 3200 Hz: +12dB) yields > > extremely good > > audio reports with the "broadcast" mic and a lot of > > "presence" without > > the "restricted" sound on the HC-5. > > > > Coupled with "CMP" at 25, this provides plenty of "punch" > > without > > sounding over processed and "all highs" like the HC-4. > > > > 73, > > > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > > > > On 8/20/2010 11:54 AM, Tim Tucker wrote: > > > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or > > other audio rack gear? If > > > so, I'm curious as to the settings you ended up with > > on the rig. I'm still > > > waiting for my K3 to get back from the factory, but I > > plan on running the > > > full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil GM-5 Mic. I > > imagine I will probably > > > end up with the comp and EQ on the rig turned off, but > > I'd like to hear what > > > others do. > > > > > > Tim > > > AE6LX > > > > > > On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 7:57 AM, Philippe > > Trottet > > wrote: > > > > > >> Hi James, > > >> I'm using MH2 also for Field day opertions and > > almost same as you, set > > >> MIC=2& COMP=20 TX equalizer has > > been adjust to my loud voice given > > >> preferential to medium high > > audio. Great > > >> 73's > > >> Philippe A65BI > > >> K3#3616 > > >> > > > > > 20-08-2010 18:54>>> > > >> Who uses the Elecraft hand mic? I do and mic gain > > has to be set low; i.e. > > >> around 8 or 9 to prevent clipping and flat > > topping as viewed on a monitor > > >> scope. This is with mic sensitivity set to > > low in the menu. I was once > > >> told that the hand mics are a tad hot, but mine > > seems to be excessively so. > > >> > > >> Regardless, my comp is set to 15 or 20 and I get > > excellent audio reports. > > >> > > >> James K2QI > > >> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile > > >> > > >> -Original Message- > > >> From: Stephen Prior > > >> Sender: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > > >> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:21:00 > > >> To: elecraft > > >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation > > >> > > >> I use the Heil MD2 microphone which has an > > electret element. I have both > > >> compression and mic gain set to 25, and mic set to > > front panel low with > > >> bias. > > >> > > >> I have far more 'talk power' than I have enjoyed > > with any previous radio. > > >> > > >> 73 Stephen G4SJP > > >> > > >> > > >> On 20/08/2010 04:24, "Joseph Trombino, Jr" > > wrote: > > >> > > >> > > Hi > > > > We are the proud owners of 6 K3/100 used > > at the FY5KE contest station. > > These radios has been delivered around > > mid-2008 and their serial numbers > > are in the 012xx range. > > > > After using mostly these rigs for SSB > > contesting in FY5KE or in other > > places, we are still facing a lack of > > "dynamics", "punch", > > "penetration", "power", whatever you call > > it. In other words, when > > comparing this rig to our radios we > > previously used (TS-850), with the > > same microphone (Heil HC-4 element) and > > the same output RF power, the K3 > > is clearly way behind in term of "average > > power" we can read on
Re: [Elecraft] need advice on rig
Susan, I think that the days of having background noise from SSB to CW sound exactly the same are over. They went out the door with DSP, how it processes a signal, and what it ends up doing with it to improve the quality of reception. I can only assume what you are trying to say is that you can't get the filters to filter the same, and the noise floor has a different ambiance to it from one mode to the next. Not that one is louder than the other, because if that's the case, then what you really need is someone to show you how to properly use the Width, Shift ( Hi, Lo) and Notch tools along with the NR and NB all in conjunction to do what you're looking to do. The rig really isn't all the hard to use. 99% of what you're going to do is on the front of the rig. Yes, you have to set the menus up ONE time, after that it's pretty much set it and forget it. Changing to another rig is just going to yield you the same thing, but with a whole new set of menus and controls to learn. Sounds to me like you may be better going back to an older rig like the FT1000MP. That would pretty much achieve what you're after, and cost you half of what you paid for the K3. > Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:04:05 -0700 > From: ussvdha...@yahoo.com > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; li...@subich.com > Subject: [Elecraft] need advice on rig > > Aloha: > I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. It > is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it to > give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb. > > I think I want to get rid of it. > > Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase? > > Susan > > If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! > Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA > > __ 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] need advice on rig
The noise will normally be different, Susan. The bandwidth is typically narrower for CW, which means the noise will sound different and be lower in amplitude for CW. You aren't the first to complain that the rig is "too complicated", but it need not be. The issue is usually there are too many things you can adjust to suit your preferences but, once that's done, it's set-and-forget. So if you can offer some specifics, perhaps the assembled gang can come up with a setup you like. People question about whether I still should be felling trees or climbing masts, on ships at the tender young age of 72. As I wrote you separately I'll refer them to your web site sailing alone across the Pacific at... well... older than I am now. 73 Ron AC7AC -Original Message- rig Aloha: I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb. I think I want to get rid of it. Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase? Susan If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA se 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] need advice on rig
Hi Susan I would also suggest playing with the RX eq I have serial # 3142 before the DSP change and found that for my taste I liked the RX better if I pulled down the top two bands (#7) 2.4 kHz and (#8) 3.2 kHz to -5 this takes some of the high end shisssh hiss off receiver. With a couple of (one time) menu changes you might find things better suited for you listening pleasure. If you rig is a later one the DSP board could be the latest one that will be better on your ears but if its the earlier one then I think pulling down top two bands on the RX eq just might help you find the feel / sound your looking for. If you have K3ez utility loaded on your computer its easy to set the RX eq, if not use the [MENU] tap to get to the main menu settings Page 52 on my manual revision D4. Rotate the sub VFO B until you see RX EQ then press number the # key you want to change with the VFO A knob setting the new value. I have both 3.2 & 2.4 pulled down to -5 ... Hope this makes sense and is something you can try Susan Here is my subjective opinion I have had for the past 3 years plus a FT2000 DMU U-tuning kit 40/80 station, along came the K3 the born on date June 13 09 since having the K3 on the air and doing a lot of A/B testing on RX the only thing I found to complain about with the K3 was the (thin) receive audio doing mostly cw this did not make that much difference to me. I did the RX eq adjustment and have only transmitted on the FT2k 4 times all total now since the (Born On Date) of the K3 there simply is no comparison in performance when push comes to shove between these two radios. Size was going to be an issue before I got my K3 running was my (preconceived opinion) but when I started to play with the K3 size became a (no issue) right off. After the first 6 months of A/B receive testing I hardly ever turn on my twice broke Yaesu on it's a back up I don't think I will need anytime soon. The only thing I miss is not having a triple band stacking register like the other radios in this class, size and wait are a trade off and not a bad one at that. This radio keeps evolving which is a very big plus no need to sell at half price to get the next offering like the big 2 seem to have there customers doing every 2 1/2 years or so. Try setting you RX eq and see if this will help you find the sound your looking for. 88 Regards Art ka9zap > -Original Message- > rig > > Aloha: >I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair > trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to > get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb. > > I think I want to get rid of it. > > Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase? > > Susan > > If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're > headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM > USSV DHARMA > > > se 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 > > __ 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
