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CW listening pitch

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Ted Edwards W3TB

CW listening pitch

I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
to zero-beat.
I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
frequency audio tone for my own preference.

What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.

And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.

--
73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW

and thinking about operating CW:
"Do today what others won't,
so you can do tomorrow what others can't."
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: CW listening pitch

Ted,

On the K3 or KX3, just hold the "pitch" button and adjust it to your
preferred listening pitch - that is all there is to it.
The K3 will adjust the filter centers accordingly, you don't have to do
anything else.

I cannot tell you what is the best pitch for you. All I can say is the
default is 600 Hz, but use your own ears to see what is best for you.

Now on the K2 it is a bit different - the CW filters do need to be
realigned to center them on the new sidetone pitch, but you are not
dealing with a K2.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/28/2015 2:29 PM, Ted Edwards W3TB wrote:

> I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
> to zero-beat.
> I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
> frequency audio tone for my own preference.
>
> What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
> whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
> 700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.
>
> And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.
>

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

Pitch is personal, Ted -- if your hearing is
compromised (age, for example) a lower pitch can
work a bit better.

Phil W7OX

On 2/28/15 11:29 AM, Ted Edwards W3TB wrote:

donhall161

Re: CW listening pitch

Years ago I went to 440 (I believe this is middle C) and at 82, still using it. Works for me.

73 Don K5AQ

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: CW listening pitch

440 Hz is A above middle-C. Middle C is 261.6 Hz.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2015-02-28 4:05 PM, Don Hall wrote:

> Years ago I went to 440 (I believe this is middle C) and at 82, still using it. Works for me.
>
> 73 Don K5AQ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Mike Markowski-2

Re: CW listening pitch

Add in 350 Hz to that and you have a dial tone. (Really!)

73,
Mike ab3ap

On 02/28/2015 04:14 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

>
> 440 Hz is A above middle-C. Middle C is 261.6 Hz.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
> On 2015-02-28 4:05 PM, Don Hall wrote:
>> Years ago I went to 440 (I believe this is middle C) and at 82, still
>> using it. Works for me.
>>
>> 73 Don K5AQ

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

Ted,

> I have the 700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.

The only real concern in selecting a preferred pitch is that the K3
will set the center of your CW filter so that Fc-[BW/2] is no lower
than 200 Hz. If you select a center frequency less than 550 Hz,
your 700Hz filter will be offset to the high side. For example, if
you select 450 Hz the 700 Hz filter will cover 200-900 Hz not 100
to 800 Hz.

That's not a big issue with wider filters but just something to be
aware of when selecting filters and nominal sidetone frequencies.
I tend to prefer 490 (it's close to B4 [493 = B4]) which works with
any of the normal Elecraft CW filters (500, 400, 250 or 200).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2015-02-28 2:29 PM, Ted Edwards W3TB wrote:

NK7Z

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Hi,
If you have an older hearing test, use the most recent one, and see what
part of the audio spectrum you hear best at, within the allowed spectrum
of the K3. Then select that frequency. I had a hearing test, and the
best frequency was several hundred HZ away from my optimum, and many db
away as well. After changing it, I copy CW much better.
--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Sat, 2015-02-28 at 14:51 -0500, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Ted,
>
> On the K3 or KX3, just hold the "pitch" button and adjust it to your
> preferred listening pitch - that is all there is to it.
> The K3 will adjust the filter centers accordingly, you don't have to do
> anything else.
>
> I cannot tell you what is the best pitch for you. All I can say is the
> default is 600 Hz, but use your own ears to see what is best for you.
>
> Now on the K2 it is a bit different - the CW filters do need to be
> realigned to center them on the new sidetone pitch, but you are not
> dealing with a K2.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/28/2015 2:29 PM, Ted Edwards W3TB wrote:
> > I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
> > to zero-beat.
> > I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
> > frequency audio tone for my own preference.
> >
> > What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
> > whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
> > 700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.
> >
> > And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

drewko

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

I use different pitches at different times. Lower pitches are better
if you are trying to discriminate between two very closely spaced
signals. Higher pitches may be better under some conditions. It may be
worthwhile to change the pitch from time to time just for variety...

I wish I could "tune" the pitch while listening to the effect on the
actual signal conditions (and keeping the signal centered in the
passband). But when PITCH is engaged the on-air signals are muted on
the K3, even if the MON volume is set to zero.

BTW, for the K2 I wrote down the filter alignments for several
different pitches and could re-enter them pretty quickly. It took
about a minute to change pitches this way, if I recall...

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On Sat, 28 Feb 2015 14:29:31 -0500, you wrote:

>I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
>to zero-beat.
>I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
>frequency audio tone for my own preference.
>
>What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
>whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
>700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.
>
>And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by NK7Z

Re "I had a hearing test, and the best frequency
was several hundred HZ away from my optimum...".
Best is not the same as optimum? That puzzles me.

Phil W7OX

On 2/28/15 1:42 PM, David Cole wrote:
> Hi,
> If you have an older hearing test, use the most recent one, and see what
> part of the audio spectrum you hear best at, within the allowed spectrum
> of the K3. Then select that frequency. I had a hearing test, and the
> best frequency was several hundred HZ away from my optimum, and many db
> away as well. After changing it, I copy CW much better.

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Mike K2MK

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

Hi Ted,

I'm very happy with 420 Hz.

73,
Mike K2MK

<quote author="Ted Edwards W3TB">
I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
to zero-beat.
I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
frequency audio tone for my own preference.

What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.

And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.

73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW

NK7Z

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Hi,
I misstated: Should have been the best was several hundred HZ away from
what I thought was optimum...

I did a number of tests to see what I "liked", vs what was best based on
my ear pass-band, (based on the hearing test), my best guess was 680, my
best based on ear pass-band was closer to 490. The 490 is far batter
than my best guess was.

I had actually placed the CW side tone in a narrow -15 db null, almost
exactly. I asked the audiologist about that, and she indicated it might
be related to me never actually hearing anything much at 680 Hz, and the
perception that when I set CW to the null it seemed in the clear for me.

I have verified that I copy better at 490, vs 680 Hz, by setting zero
and listening to similar stations at high speed and looking at my copy.

--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Sat, 2015-02-28 at 14:01 -0800, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> Re "I had a hearing test, and the best frequency
> was several hundred HZ away from my optimum...".
> Best is not the same as optimum? That puzzles me.
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 2/28/15 1:42 PM, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi,
> > If you have an older hearing test, use the most recent one, and see what
> > part of the audio spectrum you hear best at, within the allowed spectrum
> > of the K3. Then select that frequency. I had a hearing test, and the
> > best frequency was several hundred HZ away from my optimum, and many db
> > away as well. After changing it, I copy CW much better.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Ted Edwards W3TB

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Mike K2MK

Thank you all for those answers from all over the Elecraft World.
I am going to move down to about 550 Hz and see how that works out.
My hearing is not too bad, but it is not all it could be after many years
in noisy ships of the Navy.

On Sat, Feb 28, 2015 at 5:10 PM, Mike K2MK <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Ted,
>
> I'm very happy with 420 Hz.
>
> 73,
> Mike K2MK
>
>
> I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
> to zero-beat.
> I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
> frequency audio tone for my own preference.
>
> What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
> whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
> 700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.
>
> And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.
>
> 73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/CW-listening-pitch-tp7599535p7599547.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:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

--
73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW

and thinking about operating CW:
"Do today what others won't,
so you can do tomorrow what others can't."
______________________________________________________________
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Ted Edwards W3TB

Re: CW listening pitch

Just some fun on this...
About 40 years ago, I used to teach Special Ed Electrical Shop to
deaf/multiple-handicapped teens. Some had very profound hearing loss.
One day I was playing with a keying practice oscillator, and one girl
started to screech. We figured out that she had hearing at 3000-3300 Hz
and not much else. SO, I taught her to copy CW at that frequency; she got
a novice, and we just had to handle the very high offset using separate
transmitter and receiver. It opened a whole new world of communication for
her! And these years later, I have no idea where she is.

Thanks for all that good help with the pitch tone, everyone. and 73.

On Sat, Feb 28, 2015 at 7:09 PM, Ted Edwards W3TB <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Thank you all for those answers from all over the Elecraft World.
> I am going to move down to about 550 Hz and see how that works out.
> My hearing is not too bad, but it is not all it could be after many years
> in noisy ships of the Navy.
>
> On Sat, Feb 28, 2015 at 5:10 PM, Mike K2MK <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi Ted,
>>
>> I'm very happy with 420 Hz.
>>
>> 73,
>> Mike K2MK
>>
>>
>> I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
>> to zero-beat.
>> I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
>> frequency audio tone for my own preference.
>>
>> What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
>> whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
>> 700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.
>>
>> And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.
>>
>> 73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context:
>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/CW-listening-pitch-tp7599535p7599547.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:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
>
>
> --
> 73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW
>
> and thinking about operating CW:
> "Do today what others won't,
> so you can do tomorrow what others can't."
>

gdaught6

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

>
> 440 Hz is A above middle-C. Middle C is 261.6 Hz.

Yes. I believe that's the "universal orchestral tuning pitch."

My XYL and I have a running joke. When we go to anything musical, and the
orchestra commences tuning, I ask "What's that?" She says "A" and we're ready to
enjoy another performance.

73,

George T Daughters, K6GT
CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
October 3-4, 2015

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gdaught6

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Elecraft mailing list

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Phil, I would try both and somewhere in between. Best will be the frequency where your hearing peaks, optimum will consider other things, but you will still be able to hear. Adjust your volume and practice at the best frequency and see if you can make it optimum as well. You may be able to change optimum, but probably not the best frequency. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke,TDXS Contest Chairman K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS
From: Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2015 4:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW listening pitch

Re "I had a hearing test, and the best frequency
was several hundred HZ away from my optimum...".
Best is not the same as optimum? That puzzles me.

Phil W7OX

On 2/28/15 1:42 PM, David Cole wrote:
> Hi,
> If you have an older hearing test, use the most recent one, and see what
> part of the audio spectrum you hear best at, within the allowed spectrum
> of the K3. Then select that frequency. I had a hearing test, and the
> best frequency was several hundred HZ away from my optimum, and many db
> away as well. After changing it, I copy CW much better.

______________________________________________________________
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

Ted, the filter frequency is band width, but can be centered with tuning. IE you can use the 700 filter to hear 200 to 900 with the center at 550 or 300 to 1000 with the center at 650 as you choose and tune. The CWT on the K3 will center it for you, but you will not need to do this unless you prefer. Most of us like about 550 to 600, but this is a survey, not fixed so you can do what works best for you and probably should. That is the center frequency we are talking about. Choose the filter for easy tuning and QRM/QRN reduction. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke,TDXS Contest Chairman K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS
From: Ted Edwards W3TB <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2015 1:29 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] CW listening pitch

I like to use the CWT function when operating CW and then the Spot button
to zero-beat.
I have been using 700 Hz as the pitch but would like to hear a lower
frequency audio tone for my own preference.

What is the mind of the Reflector on a best tone frequency and related to
whether it has any impact on the roofing filter selections? I have the
700Hz/5-pole, the 400 Hz/8-pole, and the 200 Hz/5-pole.

And thank you all ahead of time for your answers.

--
73 de Ted Edwards, W3TB and GØPWW

and thinking about operating CW:
"Do today what others won't,
so you can do tomorrow what others can't."
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Edward R Cole

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

I played in the school band from 5th grade thru 12th (played clarinet
and oboe). I was member of the church choir. I play classical
guitar...and never got better than 12wpm copying CW. But my musical
background likely made sending easy (18-20wpm with straight key).

So goes another "urban myth". Of course if I could have held my
Novice longer than one year that might have helped vs getting a tech
license and being banned to 6m-up which was mainly AM way back then.

More likely was due to my initial interest in voice vs CW. After
three years of failed CW exams at the FCC office (long before VE
program or multiple-guess code tests - one minute perfect copy of
five character groups of random text/punctuation/numbers). We lived
5 miles too close to take the Conditional license.

But I passed in 1982 (24-years later) before the FCC at the Anchorage
Office because I wanted to go out on the Iditarod Trail as a ham
radio checkpoint volunteer. Comms were on 80/40m SSB so you had to
have a General License. CW test made much easier to pass in 1982
with real text and multiple-choice testing on content. I also took
and passed my Advanced in same sitting.

Passed Extra in 2000 when code requirement was dropped to 13wpm.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[hidden email]

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Edward R Cole

Re: CW listening pitch

In reply to this post by Ted Edwards W3TB

These days my ear is perfectly tuned to 1000-Hz. I can whistle it
within a few Hz. 45 years of working on radios with 1000-Hz tone modulation.

73, Ed - KL7UW
I usually tune CW pitch somewhere near 550 to 700 Hz for weak-signal
copying (SNR=0).
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW listening pitch
Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

> 440 Hz is A above middle-C. Middle C is 261.6 Hz.

Yes. I believe that's the "universal orchestral tuning pitch."

My XYL and I have a running joke. When we go to anything musical, and the
orchestra commences tuning, I ask "What's that?" She says "A" and
we're ready to
enjoy another performance.

73,

George T Daughters, K6GT
CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
October 3-4, 2015

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[hidden email]

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