Help on Configuration

[VK1DW]

Hi All

I am seriously considering a K3 and would like some advice on configuration.
My main interests, apart from the normal SSB HF and DX, are experimenting
with the narrow bandwidth digital modes.  6m would also be a new band for
me.  Occasionally I like to listen to the "Short Wave" broadcast bands so
will probably include the Gen Coverage Rx option.

The K3/100 would be the base configuration together with the Internal ATU
and I would probably include the Internal 2m module, which I understand also
requires the KXV3A module.  

The real question is what filter configuration I should consider.  The FM
filter is probably a given.  I am not really interested in AM transmissions
but do I need the AM filter to listen to the AM broadcast bands?  I wish to
have a good CW capability (CW Skimmer has made me go back to developing
these skills) but the priority would be the narrow band modes.

I would appreciate any comments/advice.

Deane
VK1DW




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[wayne burdick]

Deane Walkington wrote:

> The real question is what filter configuration I should consider.  
> The FM
> filter is probably a given.  I am not really interested in AM  
> transmissions
> but do I need the AM filter to listen to the AM broadcast bands?

No; you can listen to AM with the FM filter, and in fact this works  
great with wideband material such as music. The AM filter, being  
nearly half the width of the FM filter, would do a better job of  
rejecting nearby stations.


> I wish to have a good CW capability (CW Skimmer has made me go back  
> to developing
> these skills) but the priority would be the narrow band modes.

At minimum I'd suggest adding a 500-Hz 5-pole or 400-Hz 8-pole filter.  
If you want really outstanding rejection of close-in QRM, I'd also  
recommend our 200-Hz 5-pole filter. This filter is perfect for CW,  
PSK31 or RTTY when the going gets tough, such as during contests.  
Filters are automatically selected as you adjust the WIDTH control.

If you want to optimize for weak-signal work, you should consider  
adding the sub receiver, which is identical in performance to the main  
receiver. It allows you to do full diversity mode, with two receiving  
antennas. In this case you'll probably want to match the sub RX  
crystal filters to those on the RF board.

73,
Wayne
N6KR
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[Barry McWilliams]

Hi Deane - for what it's worth.  

I think for most non-critical (non-contest, non-DX) users, the K3
standard 2.7 kHz SSB filter does a good job for CW and SSB modes.  The
K3 DSP software allows you to narrow the bandwidth for CW to 500 Hz or
less.  The DSP works much better than the Yaesu and Icom (IC-746 -- nice
radio in many ways) radios  I have used recently  in my shack.

HOWEVER -- the additional , narrow filters ( I have the K3 400 Hz filter
), do make a difference on CW when contests rule the band.

I don't think you'll go wrong with a K3 with whatever configuration you
choose now -- you can easily add filters and options in the future.

Barry,  K8LEF

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[ab2tc]

Hi,

If you have the FM filter you do not need the AM filter for listening to AM broadcasts with envelope detection. The FM filter is plenty good enough as the DSP allows you to set any bandwidth you please up to about 4.2kHz audio bandwidth (or thereabouts). This is wider than the 6kHz AM filter would allow and is really nice on strong, interference free signals. I am really looking forward to the arrival of the SAM detector though. I also use SSB mode when conditions are difficult as with strong selective fading. I do not have the AM filter as I have no desire to transmit AM.

AB2TC - Knut

Barry McWilliams wrote

Hi Deane - for what it's worth.  

I think for most non-critical (non-contest, non-DX) users, the K3
standard 2.7 kHz SSB filter does a good job for CW and SSB modes.  The
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