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Is beta 3.30 audio-blast free??

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Allan Taylor

Is beta 3.30 audio-blast free??

The question is: is the beta 3.30 firmware free of the rare but
potentially damaging earphone audio blast
problem?? Inquiring minds want to know (before I destroy my hearing)!

--
73 Allan K7GT
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ka9zap

Re: Is beta 3.30 audio-blast free??

Hi Allan

I have not experienced the audio blast yet since installing 3.30 and dsp
226 on 9/2/09 jump in and
try it I often use head phones or ear buds so far so good.

Regards
Art
ka9zap

Allan Taylor wrote:
> The question is: is the beta 3.30 firmware free of the rare but
> potentially damaging earphone audio blast
> problem?? Inquiring minds want to know (before I destroy my hearing)!
>
>
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Guy, K2AV

Re: Is beta 3.30 audio-blast free??

In reply to this post by Allan Taylor

If Elecraft thought they could guarantee that, there would be a new
version out there right now. Just remember it's *beta* software. As
always YMMV.

This is the alternative to releasing firmware changes only in new
model radios that cost kilobucks. Everyone gets to choose whether
they want to play in Elecraft's "kitchen" or not. Not everybody
enjoys the heat or getting flour on their pants.

Doesn't bother me to come out of the kitchen with my hair singed and
looking like I got the flour jar dumped on me. But I love this kind
of stuff. That's *my* choice. May you enjoy yours.

As to the issue itself, software problems like that are always
[expletive deleted]. I've chased after hundreds of nasty apparently
intermittent software problems over my IT career, and it never gets
any better. My inner emotional patience with the Aptos folks on this
is based on my complete identification with the frustration of finding
such.

73, Guy.

On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 10:14 AM, Allan Taylor <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The question is: is the beta 3.30 firmware free of the rare but
> potentially damaging earphone audio blast
> problem?? Inquiring minds want to know (before I destroy my hearing)!
>
> --
> 73 Allan K7GT
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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Joe Planisky

Re: Is beta 3.30 audio-blast free??

In reply to this post by Allan Taylor

Hi Allan,

Back on Sept 6 & 7, there were a couple of reports of it still
happening on 3.30. Personally, I haven't heard it, but that doesn't
mean anything. I've been avoiding headphone use for the time being.

A while back (FW 2.67), they added the CONFIG:AF LIM setting intended
for use when AGC was turned off. I wonder if turning this on would
help limit the blast if/when it occurs?

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Sep 10, 2009, at 7:14 AM, Allan Taylor wrote:

P.B. Christensen

K3 AF/RF Mod

Okay, I couldn't leave well enough alone...

Yesterday morning, I was working a T30 station split on 40m with the K3's
Sub Rx and became a bit unnerved with the manipulation of the K3's "Sub AF"
control when balancing between Main and Sub receivers. Multiple quick
reaches for the "balance" function on the upper Sub AF control's outer ring
was causing me to accidentally come in contact with the other controls.
Looking at the K3 schematic, all four controls (Main AF, Sub AF, Main RF,
and Sub RF) are all 10K in value. Even when the K3's AF control furnction
menu is selected for "Normal," rather than AF "Balance," a similar issue can
arrise when trying to quickly balance the Main/Sub AF controls on one shaft.

I removed the front panel to inspect the Front Panel PCB and thought a swap
of the Sub AF and Main RF controls could be easily accomplished. Here's a
"before" photo of the PCB area:

http://216.229.20.37/images/K3-AF-1.jpg

And the "after" wiring...

http://216.229.20.37/images/K3-AF-2.jpg

A hot glue gun can be used near the 5-pin header to keep the two ribbon
cables from interfering with future front panel extractions and insertions.
Now, the upper controls handles Main AF (inner) + Main RF/SQL (outer). The
lower controls handle Sub AF/Balance (inner) and Sub RF (outer).

When I engage split operations and use the Sub Rx, manipulating the balance
between Main AF and Sub RF is easier with a bit less propensity to
accidentally come in contact with the adjacent controls since: (1) the
Main/Sub AF balance function is now on the inner concentric control and
extends out further from the front panel than the outer concentric ring; and
(2) the balance function is now moved to the bottom where the hand can
approach the control from the bottom rather than directly in-line with the
knob.

If needed later for a sale, reversal of the mod is very easy. Certainly,
this mod is not for everyone. However, I would think that in later PCB
revisions, Elecraft could provide the option of selecting the existing
format or the modified format at the time of purchase -- or to the builder
who simply makes a few header pin changes during construction.

Of course, the front panel legends also need changing and that's probably
the biggest drawback to the mod. In my case, I will use new legends printed
from a Brother 'P-Touch' printer -- printed with white lettering against
black background tape. Font size and type is adjustable to match the
existing legends on the K3.

Paul, W9AC

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P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 AF/RF Mod

BTW, the mod is likely possible with a future F/W change to allow changes
just as the current menu allows for 'Normal" and 'Balance' audio functions.
If that ever happens, the wiring mod is very easily reversible in less than
a minute with no evidence left behind.

Paul, W9AC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Christensen" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 12:27 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 AF/RF Mod

> Okay, I couldn't leave well enough alone...
>
> Yesterday morning, I was working a T30 station split on 40m with the K3's
> Sub Rx and became a bit unnerved with the manipulation of the K3's "Sub
> AF"
> control when balancing between Main and Sub receivers. Multiple quick
> reaches for the "balance" function on the upper Sub AF control's outer
> ring
> was causing me to accidentally come in contact with the other controls.
> Looking at the K3 schematic, all four controls (Main AF, Sub AF, Main RF,
> and Sub RF) are all 10K in value. Even when the K3's AF control furnction
> menu is selected for "Normal," rather than AF "Balance," a similar issue
> can
> arrise when trying to quickly balance the Main/Sub AF controls on one
> shaft.
>
> I removed the front panel to inspect the Front Panel PCB and thought a
> swap
> of the Sub AF and Main RF controls could be easily accomplished. Here's a
> "before" photo of the PCB area:
>
> http://216.229.20.37/images/K3-AF-1.jpg
>
> And the "after" wiring...
>
> http://216.229.20.37/images/K3-AF-2.jpg
>
> A hot glue gun can be used near the 5-pin header to keep the two ribbon
> cables from interfering with future front panel extractions and
> insertions.
> Now, the upper controls handles Main AF (inner) + Main RF/SQL (outer).
> The
> lower controls handle Sub AF/Balance (inner) and Sub RF (outer).
>
> When I engage split operations and use the Sub Rx, manipulating the
> balance
> between Main AF and Sub RF is easier with a bit less propensity to
> accidentally come in contact with the adjacent controls since: (1) the
> Main/Sub AF balance function is now on the inner concentric control and
> extends out further from the front panel than the outer concentric ring;
> and
> (2) the balance function is now moved to the bottom where the hand can
> approach the control from the bottom rather than directly in-line with the
> knob.
>
> If needed later for a sale, reversal of the mod is very easy. Certainly,
> this mod is not for everyone. However, I would think that in later PCB
> revisions, Elecraft could provide the option of selecting the existing
> format or the modified format at the time of purchase -- or to the builder
> who simply makes a few header pin changes during construction.
>
> Of course, the front panel legends also need changing and that's probably
> the biggest drawback to the mod. In my case, I will use new legends
> printed
> from a Brother 'P-Touch' printer -- printed with white lettering against
> black background tape. Font size and type is adjustable to match the
> existing legends on the K3.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

N2TK

Re: K3 AF/RF Mod

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

Paul,
I like what you did. I agree. I don't use the RF gain controls much if at
all. I use the AF gain controls for the main and sub receiver the most. If I
remember correctly the prototype K3 had the controls the way you changed
them.
Will have to give some thought to making the mod.

73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 12:28 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 AF/RF Mod

Okay, I couldn't leave well enough alone...

Yesterday morning, I was working a T30 station split on 40m with the K3's
Sub Rx and became a bit unnerved with the manipulation of the K3's "Sub AF"
control when balancing between Main and Sub receivers. Multiple quick
reaches for the "balance" function on the upper Sub AF control's outer ring
was causing me to accidentally come in contact with the other controls.
Looking at the K3 schematic, all four controls (Main AF, Sub AF, Main RF,
and Sub RF) are all 10K in value. Even when the K3's AF control furnction
menu is selected for "Normal," rather than AF "Balance," a similar issue can

arrise when trying to quickly balance the Main/Sub AF controls on one shaft.

I removed the front panel to inspect the Front Panel PCB and thought a swap
of the Sub AF and Main RF controls could be easily accomplished. Here's a
"before" photo of the PCB area:

http://216.229.20.37/images/K3-AF-1.jpg

And the "after" wiring...

http://216.229.20.37/images/K3-AF-2.jpg

A hot glue gun can be used near the 5-pin header to keep the two ribbon
cables from interfering with future front panel extractions and insertions.
Now, the upper controls handles Main AF (inner) + Main RF/SQL (outer). The
lower controls handle Sub AF/Balance (inner) and Sub RF (outer).

When I engage split operations and use the Sub Rx, manipulating the balance
between Main AF and Sub RF is easier with a bit less propensity to
accidentally come in contact with the adjacent controls since: (1) the
Main/Sub AF balance function is now on the inner concentric control and
extends out further from the front panel than the outer concentric ring; and

(2) the balance function is now moved to the bottom where the hand can
approach the control from the bottom rather than directly in-line with the
knob.

If needed later for a sale, reversal of the mod is very easy. Certainly,
this mod is not for everyone. However, I would think that in later PCB
revisions, Elecraft could provide the option of selecting the existing
format or the modified format at the time of purchase -- or to the builder
who simply makes a few header pin changes during construction.

Of course, the front panel legends also need changing and that's probably
the biggest drawback to the mod. In my case, I will use new legends printed

from a Brother 'P-Touch' printer -- printed with white lettering against
black background tape. Font size and type is adjustable to match the
existing legends on the K3.

Paul, W9AC

______________________________________________________________
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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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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Len, K3LJ

Re: Is beta 3.30 audio-blast free??

In reply to this post by Joe Planisky

This evening I was working 40 meter CW using a 500 KHz filter and had pushed the NR button to help out hearing a station, after about 10 seconds I heard the dreadful screech. The NR was set for F2--4. This is the only time that I after heard it. I was using ear phones but luckily I only wear them half on most of the time. I hope the new firmware version coming out will cure this problem.

Thanks to the people at Elecraft for the work that you do.

Len K3LJ

Joe Planisky wrote

Hi Allan,

Back on Sept 6 & 7, there were a couple of reports of it still
happening on 3.30. Personally, I haven't heard it, but that doesn't
mean anything. I've been avoiding headphone use for the time being.

A while back (FW 2.67), they added the CONFIG:AF LIM setting intended
for use when AGC was turned off. I wonder if turning this on would
help limit the blast if/when it occurs?

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Sep 10, 2009, at 7:14 AM, Allan Taylor wrote:

> The question is: is the beta 3.30 firmware free of the rare but
> potentially damaging earphone audio blast
> problem?? Inquiring minds want to know (before I destroy my hearing)!
>
> --
> 73 Allan K7GT
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

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