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Choice of CW pitch

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K7TV

Choice of CW pitch

The ease of changing CW pitch in the K3 is indeed a great asset in setting
things up for best copy, and I have found myself using it quite a few times.
The immediate reason to change pitch has usually been a perception that with
the existing setting, the best copy pitch does not exactly coincide with the
CW tuning indicator (another great CW asset of the K3), or with the peak DSP
filter response. Many times this has led me to change the pitch setting by a
small amount, whether my general preference du jour is for a low or higher
pitch. To make such an adjustment I like to set a wide DSP bandwidth and
slowly tune through a received signal. The apparent loudness doesn't stay
constant, nor does it follow a smooth variation that I attribute to my own
hearing response. Instead I hear peaks within range of piches that would be
reasonable for CW, that I attribute to the speaker and its surroundings. (I
would say that since I went to the SP3, there is less of this variation, but
no matter how good the speaker, there will always be such variations because
objects around the speaker cause reflections. Phones will always be the
better approach....) Rather than adjusting the pitch to some value
considered ideal based no prior considerations, I set it for a peak in the
accoustical response of the particular speaker and its surroundings. Then
going back to normal DSP selectivity I generally find better agreement
between perceived loudness and centering the received signal in the
passband, at least until I move things around in the shack...

73,
Erik K7TV

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Drew AF2Z

Re: Choice of CW pitch

Yes, the K3 cw pitch is easy to set tailor for hearing response and
speaker/headphone response; at least easier than the K2. For my K2 I had
written down the filter calibrations for a number of different pitches
so that I could change them on the fly while operating; I recall it took
less than a minute to dial one of them in...

But if you want to adjust the pitch to suit current band conditions,
filter width and wpm speed of the station you are trying to copy, the K3
is not easy at all.

Let's assume that for any combination of these variables there is some
optimum CW pitch between 300 - 800 Hz. How do you find that pitch for a
particular CW signal? There is no easy way because whenever you push the
PITCH button you can no longer hear the station your are trying to
optimize. You would have to try every pitch selection individually, 300,
310, 320, etc., and somehow remember which was the best. Obviously, not
a practical way to dial in the optimum value.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 09/21/18 22:02, Erik Basilier wrote:

> The ease of changing CW pitch in the K3 is indeed a great asset in setting
> things up for best copy, and I have found myself using it quite a few times.
> The immediate reason to change pitch has usually been a perception that with
> the existing setting, the best copy pitch does not exactly coincide with the
> CW tuning indicator (another great CW asset of the K3), or with the peak DSP
> filter response. Many times this has led me to change the pitch setting by a
> small amount, whether my general preference du jour is for a low or higher
> pitch. To make such an adjustment I like to set a wide DSP bandwidth and
> slowly tune through a received signal. The apparent loudness doesn't stay
> constant, nor does it follow a smooth variation that I attribute to my own
> hearing response. Instead I hear peaks within range of piches that would be
> reasonable for CW, that I attribute to the speaker and its surroundings. (I
> would say that since I went to the SP3, there is less of this variation, but
> no matter how good the speaker, there will always be such variations because
> objects around the speaker cause reflections. Phones will always be the
> better approach....) Rather than adjusting the pitch to some value
> considered ideal based no prior considerations, I set it for a peak in the
> accoustical response of the particular speaker and its surroundings. Then
> going back to normal DSP selectivity I generally find better agreement
> between perceived loudness and centering the received signal in the
> passband, at least until I move things around in the shack...
>
> 73,
> Erik K7TV
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Nr4c

Re: Choice of CW pitch

Come on!!!

I adjust the “pitch” to suit my hearing. The pitch of the incoming station is adjusted by the VFO! The “Spot” button will get you close to Zero-Beat. A little XIT will separate you from others who Zero-Beat him in a pile-up.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Sep 22, 2018, at 6:39 AM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Yes, the K3 cw pitch is easy to set tailor for hearing response and speaker/headphone response; at least easier than the K2. For my K2 I had written down the filter calibrations for a number of different pitches so that I could change them on the fly while operating; I recall it took less than a minute to dial one of them in...
>
> But if you want to adjust the pitch to suit current band conditions, filter width and wpm speed of the station you are trying to copy, the K3 is not easy at all.
>
> Let's assume that for any combination of these variables there is some optimum CW pitch between 300 - 800 Hz. How do you find that pitch for a particular CW signal? There is no easy way because whenever you push the PITCH button you can no longer hear the station your are trying to optimize. You would have to try every pitch selection individually, 300, 310, 320, etc., and somehow remember which was the best. Obviously, not a practical way to dial in the optimum value.
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
>
>
>> On 09/21/18 22:02, Erik Basilier wrote:
>> The ease of changing CW pitch in the K3 is indeed a great asset in setting
>> things up for best copy, and I have found myself using it quite a few times.
>> The immediate reason to change pitch has usually been a perception that with
>> the existing setting, the best copy pitch does not exactly coincide with the
>> CW tuning indicator (another great CW asset of the K3), or with the peak DSP
>> filter response. Many times this has led me to change the pitch setting by a
>> small amount, whether my general preference du jour is for a low or higher
>> pitch. To make such an adjustment I like to set a wide DSP bandwidth and
>> slowly tune through a received signal. The apparent loudness doesn't stay
>> constant, nor does it follow a smooth variation that I attribute to my own
>> hearing response. Instead I hear peaks within range of piches that would be
>> reasonable for CW, that I attribute to the speaker and its surroundings. (I
>> would say that since I went to the SP3, there is less of this variation, but
>> no matter how good the speaker, there will always be such variations because
>> objects around the speaker cause reflections. Phones will always be the
>> better approach....) Rather than adjusting the pitch to some value
>> considered ideal based no prior considerations, I set it for a peak in the
>> accoustical response of the particular speaker and its surroundings. Then
>> going back to normal DSP selectivity I generally find better agreement
>> between perceived loudness and centering the received signal in the
>> passband, at least until I move things around in the shack...
>> 73,
>> Erik K7TV
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Drew AF2Z

Re: Choice of CW pitch

When you've got a weak signal peaked in a narrow filter or APF, that's
the time you'd like to optimize the pitch. Adjusting the VFO/RIT for a
different pitch is not really an option at that point.

You're right though, PITCH as implemented is mainly meant to pick your
favorite tone and pretty much stick with it; not for trimming up
individual signals like you would with AF/RF gain.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 09/22/18 07:11, Nr4c wrote:

> Come on!!!
>
> I adjust the “pitch” to suit my hearing. The pitch of the incoming station is adjusted by the VFO! The “Spot” button will get you close to Zero-Beat. A little XIT will separate you from others who Zero-Beat him in a pile-up.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
>> On Sep 22, 2018, at 6:39 AM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Yes, the K3 cw pitch is easy to set tailor for hearing response and speaker/headphone response; at least easier than the K2. For my K2 I had written down the filter calibrations for a number of different pitches so that I could change them on the fly while operating; I recall it took less than a minute to dial one of them in...
>>
>> But if you want to adjust the pitch to suit current band conditions, filter width and wpm speed of the station you are trying to copy, the K3 is not easy at all.
>>
>> Let's assume that for any combination of these variables there is some optimum CW pitch between 300 - 800 Hz. How do you find that pitch for a particular CW signal? There is no easy way because whenever you push the PITCH button you can no longer hear the station your are trying to optimize. You would have to try every pitch selection individually, 300, 310, 320, etc., and somehow remember which was the best. Obviously, not a practical way to dial in the optimum value.
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>>
>>
>>> On 09/21/18 22:02, Erik Basilier wrote:
>>> The ease of changing CW pitch in the K3 is indeed a great asset in setting
>>> things up for best copy, and I have found myself using it quite a few times.
>>> The immediate reason to change pitch has usually been a perception that with
>>> the existing setting, the best copy pitch does not exactly coincide with the
>>> CW tuning indicator (another great CW asset of the K3), or with the peak DSP
>>> filter response. Many times this has led me to change the pitch setting by a
>>> small amount, whether my general preference du jour is for a low or higher
>>> pitch. To make such an adjustment I like to set a wide DSP bandwidth and
>>> slowly tune through a received signal. The apparent loudness doesn't stay
>>> constant, nor does it follow a smooth variation that I attribute to my own
>>> hearing response. Instead I hear peaks within range of piches that would be
>>> reasonable for CW, that I attribute to the speaker and its surroundings. (I
>>> would say that since I went to the SP3, there is less of this variation, but
>>> no matter how good the speaker, there will always be such variations because
>>> objects around the speaker cause reflections. Phones will always be the
>>> better approach....) Rather than adjusting the pitch to some value
>>> considered ideal based no prior considerations, I set it for a peak in the
>>> accoustical response of the particular speaker and its surroundings. Then
>>> going back to normal DSP selectivity I generally find better agreement
>>> between perceived loudness and centering the received signal in the
>>> passband, at least until I move things around in the shack...
>>> 73,
>>> Erik K7TV
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
>

NK7Z

Re: Choice of CW pitch

I had a hearing test a year, or two ago. I looked at the test results
and selected a frequency, looking for good response in both ears. I
then adjusted the K3 beat note to that frequency, which put the
frequency of the beat tone in the sweet spot for my ears... It also in
general got most stations I was working at that frequency.

It made a noticeable difference for the better in weak signal decoding
for CW for me... YMMV.

73s and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL OOC for Oregon

On 9/22/18 4:40 AM, Drew AF2Z wrote:

> When you've got a weak signal peaked in a narrow filter or APF, that's
> the time you'd like to optimize the pitch. Adjusting the VFO/RIT for a
> different pitch is not really an option at that point.
>
> You're right though, PITCH as implemented is mainly meant to pick your
> favorite tone and pretty much stick with it; not for trimming up
> individual signals like you would with AF/RF gain.
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
>
>
>
>
> On 09/22/18 07:11, Nr4c wrote:
>> Come on!!!
>>
>> I adjust the “pitch” to suit my hearing. The pitch of the incoming
>> station is adjusted by the VFO! The “Spot” button will get you close
>> to Zero-Beat. A little XIT will separate you from others who Zero-Beat
>> him in a pile-up.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill
>>
>>
>>> On Sep 22, 2018, at 6:39 AM, Drew AF2Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Yes, the K3 cw pitch is easy to set tailor for hearing response and
>>> speaker/headphone response; at least easier than the K2. For my K2 I
>>> had written down the filter calibrations for a number of different
>>> pitches so that I could change them on the fly while operating; I
>>> recall it took less than a minute to dial one of them in...
>>>
>>> But if you want to adjust the pitch to suit current band conditions,
>>> filter width and wpm speed of the station you are trying to copy, the
>>> K3 is not easy at all.
>>>
>>> Let's assume that for any combination of these variables there is
>>> some optimum CW pitch between 300 - 800 Hz. How do you find that
>>> pitch for a particular CW signal? There is no easy way because
>>> whenever you push the PITCH button you can no longer hear the station
>>> your are trying to optimize. You would have to try every pitch
>>> selection individually, 300, 310, 320, etc., and somehow remember
>>> which was the best. Obviously, not a practical way to dial in the
>>> optimum value.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Drew
>>> AF2Z
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 09/21/18 22:02, Erik Basilier wrote:
>>>> The ease of changing CW pitch in the K3 is indeed a great asset in
>>>> setting
>>>> things up for best copy, and I have found myself using it quite a
>>>> few times.
>>>> The immediate reason to change pitch has usually been a perception
>>>> that with
>>>> the existing setting, the best copy pitch does not exactly coincide
>>>> with the
>>>> CW tuning indicator (another great CW asset of the K3), or with the
>>>> peak DSP
>>>> filter response. Many times this has led me to change the pitch
>>>> setting by a
>>>> small amount, whether my general preference du jour is for a low or
>>>> higher
>>>> pitch. To make such an adjustment I like to set a wide DSP bandwidth
>>>> and
>>>> slowly tune through a received signal. The apparent loudness doesn't
>>>> stay
>>>> constant, nor does it follow a smooth variation that I attribute to
>>>> my own
>>>> hearing response. Instead I hear peaks within range of piches that
>>>> would be
>>>> reasonable for CW, that I attribute to the speaker and its
>>>> surroundings. (I
>>>> would say that since I went to the SP3, there is less of this
>>>> variation, but
>>>> no matter how good the speaker, there will always be such variations
>>>> because
>>>> objects around the speaker cause reflections. Phones will always be the
>>>> better approach....) Rather than adjusting the pitch to some value
>>>> considered ideal based no prior considerations, I set it for a peak
>>>> in the
>>>> accoustical response of the particular speaker and its surroundings.
>>>> Then
>>>> going back to normal DSP selectivity I generally find better agreement
>>>> between perceived loudness and centering the received signal in the
>>>> passband, at least until I move things around in the shack...
>>>> 73,
>>>> Erik K7TV
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> 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]
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]
>>
>>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Mike Maloney

Re: Choice of CW pitch

I get the best response for CW pitch volume from the K3 stock speaker with my 60 degree deflector horn on top. The length was determined by experiment and gives a very noticeable boost at my desired pitch of 500Hz.
Mike AC5P

On Saturday, September 22, 2018 8:38 AM, Dave Cole (NK7Z) <[hidden email]> wrote:

I had a hearing test a year, or two ago. I looked at the test results
and selected a frequency, looking for good response in both ears. I
then adjusted the K3 beat note to that frequency, which put the
frequency of the beat tone in the sweet spot for my ears... It also in
general got most stations I was working at that frequency.

It made a noticeable difference for the better in weak signal decoding
for CW for me... YMMV.

73s and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL OOC for Oregon

On 9/22/18 4:40 AM, Drew AF2Z wrote:

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k6dgw

Re: Choice of CW pitch

In reply to this post by Nr4c

Is the center frequency of the K3 Audio Peaking Filter adjustable? I
didn't think so but honestly don't really know.

The coast marine station I worked at in 56/57 supplied 1 Khz [well 1 Kc
in those days] sidetone to each position. It was higher than most
liked, we had receivers to listen to our TX channel and most used them.
Something more comforting about hearing your own signal rather than a
disembodied concoction from the RX site. The older I get, the lower my
sidetone goes. [:=)

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 9/22/2018 4:11 AM, Nr4c wrote:
> Come on!!!
>
> I adjust the “pitch” to suit my hearing. The pitch of the incoming station is adjusted by the VFO! The “Spot” button will get you close to Zero-Beat. A little XIT will separate you from others who Zero-Beat him in a pile-up.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>

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wayne burdick

Re: Choice of CW pitch

Administrator

The center frequency of the audio peaking filter tracks the side tone pitch (PITCH control). So does the receive filter center frequency.

Wayne
N6KR

----
http://www.elecraft.com

> On Sep 22, 2018, at 4:40 PM, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Is the center frequency of the K3 Audio Peaking Filter adjustable? I didn't think so but honestly don't really know.
>
> The coast marine station I worked at in 56/57 supplied 1 Khz [well 1 Kc in those days] sidetone to each position. It was higher than most liked, we had receivers to listen to our TX channel and most used them. Something more comforting about hearing your own signal rather than a disembodied concoction from the RX site. The older I get, the lower my sidetone goes. [:=)
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
>> On 9/22/2018 4:11 AM, Nr4c wrote:
>> Come on!!!
>>
>> I adjust the “pitch” to suit my hearing. The pitch of the incoming station is adjusted by the VFO! The “Spot” button will get you close to Zero-Beat. A little XIT will separate you from others who Zero-Beat him in a pile-up.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

k6dgw

Re: Choice of CW pitch

OK, that explains why what I've been doing has been working! I set the
sidetone pitch I want and leave it alone. Everything else seems to work
out fine. I do have my RXEQ set to reduce higher and lower frequencies
but the RXEQ is pretty broad and probably isn't contributing much
regardless of my PITCH setting. I thought for awhile that that also
improved the operation of the CWT indicator but finally decided I was
just making up fake news in my head. [:=)

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 9/22/2018 4:45 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> The center frequency of the audio peaking filter tracks the side tone pitch (PITCH control). So does the receive filter center frequency.
>
> Wayne
> N6KR
>

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