CW and data

[Robert Klein-3]

I hope this isn’t too elementary for you folks, but I have not been able to get my K3 to come close to accurately reading CW and data RX.  I have tried various settings, etc.  All I ever get is gibberish.  Is there an easy to understand guide or instruction for this function available?

Thanks,
Robert
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[Ken Kopp-3]

Hello Robert ...

It's been my experience that ... for the most part ... hand-sent
CW isn't good enough to be decoded by automated methods.

Of course, you still might have something mis-adjusted, but
I wouldn't expect great results ... from -any- reader.  I've casually
tried reading CW with the K3 and it does about as well as I'd
expect, which isn't very well.

You might try it on the W1AW code practice broadcasts, as
they're computer generated.  It should do as good as it's going
to do there.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
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[wayne burdick]

Robert Klein wrote:

> I hope this isn’t too elementary for you folks, but I have not been
> able to get my K3 to come close to accurately reading CW and data RX.

Hi Robert,

The CW and PSK31 decoders works best with a narrow bandwidth (50-150
Hz). Once you have this dialed in, turn on CWT and dial the signal in
close to the center of the passband. In the case of CW, hold TEXT DEC
and use VFO A to adjust the "THR" (threshold) setting until the CWT bar
flashes in time with the incoming code. I typically use threshold
settings between 3 and 7. It takes a few seconds for the decoder to
lock in, and of course it will be affected by band noise and fading.
When tuning PSK31, use FINE steps (1 Hz) and tune very slowly, giving
the decoder a chance to lock.

For RTTY, use a bandwidth of around 170-250 Hz. With CWT turned on,
adjust for mark/space balance on the bar graph.

The K3 also does decode on transmit, so someone can look over your
shoulder and get the gist of a CW or DATA QSO. I hope you ultimately
find it useful, but if not, I'm open to suggestions.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[Julian, G4ILO]

wayne burdick wrote

The CW and PSK31 decoders works best with a narrow bandwidth (50-150
Hz). Once you have this dialed in, turn on CWT and dial the signal in
close to the center of the passband. In the case of CW, hold TEXT DEC
and use VFO A to adjust the "THR" (threshold) setting until the CWT bar
flashes in time with the incoming code. I typically use threshold
settings between 3 and 7. It takes a few seconds for the decoder to
lock in, and of course it will be affected by band noise and fading.
When tuning PSK31, use FINE steps (1 Hz) and tune very slowly, giving
the decoder a chance to lock.

For RTTY, use a bandwidth of around 170-250 Hz. With CWT turned on,
adjust for mark/space balance on the bar graph.

The K3 also does decode on transmit, so someone can look over your
shoulder and get the gist of a CW or DATA QSO. I hope you ultimately
find it useful, but if not, I'm open to suggestions.

I find the CW decoder works amazingly well, Wayne. I was surprised how well it copied stuff in the CQ WW contest. Of course I did have the filtering dialled down very narrow in the contest.

However I made a few test QSOs using the built-in PSK encoder/decoder but I found it very hard to tune in, compared to using a waterfall with sound card software. When I did tune in a station I found when I called them that I was off frequency by quite a few Hz. I could hear the difference in pitch between their signal and mine, having the TX monitor enabled. After my transmission they usually returned on a different frequency, so that several seconds of their reply was gibberish until I could tune them in again.

Although the ability to send and receive data without a sound card is a nice feature, in practise I find the limitations to be too great for it to be more than a "party piece". Perhaps others have been more successful.

As Christmas is almost here, may I end this posting by wishing everyone, but especially the Elecraft team, a very merry holiday season.