K3 AM & FM Proble Firmware 2.67

[john petters]

Merry Christmas everybody,
I've just updated my firmware to 2.67.
I now have no compressor available on AM and the audio sounds very thin
and low - very similar to that on FM.

The modulation appears to decrease the carrier power. This second
problem has been an issue for some months.

The FM has always sounded dreadful. Is anyone else using their K3 in
anger on either of these modes? If so are you noticing the same things?

Altering the TX eq does not solve the problem.

By comparison my IC706mk2 in AM mode gives lots of upward modulation
with compression, which is required under noisy conditions. The same
radio on FM narrow gives very good audio as well.

Having done a super job with SSB and CW, I'm hoping we can get a really
top quality AM and FM transmit as well.

Thanks in anticipation
73
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[Dave, G4AON]

John, the AM has been hopeless since a firmware change a little while
back. It's supposed to be on the "to do" list. I used to occasionally
join one of the AM nets that run on 80m, since the later firmware it's
been too embarrassing!

There are a few items still outstanding on the K3, the lack of
compression on AM, the sloppy power control on SSB and the firmware TCXO
temperature calibration routine.

The notch filter needs work too, in comparison to my SDR it's very poor.
20 Hz steps and too wide...

73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80, f/w 2.76
-------------------------------
I've just updated my firmware to 2.67.
I now have no compressor available on AM and the audio sounds very thin
and low - very similar to that on FM.
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[John A. McCabe]

Dave G4AON wrote:

<The notch filter needs work too, in comparison to my SDR it's very poor.
 20 Hz steps and too wide...

I do agree with that, and I also would like the notch to be inside the AGC Loop, so that the strong signal being notched does not swamp the AGC. Right now, to me it acts a lot like a simple audio notch.

73,

John


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[Don Wilhelm-4]

John,

Compression on AM is not currently permitted because the same algorithm
used for SSB creates distortion in AM - I believe Lyle has promised to
develop a new AM compression algorithm, but I don't know when.

I have no clue about your FM problems - what deviation do you have set?  
Check the FM DEV setting in the menu - the default is 5.0 kHz.

73,
Don W3FPR

John Petters wrote:

> Merry Christmas everybody,
> I've just updated my firmware to 2.67.
> I now have no compressor available on AM and the audio sounds very
> thin and low - very similar to that on FM.
>
> The modulation appears to decrease the carrier power. This second
> problem has been an issue for some months.
>
> The FM has always sounded dreadful. Is anyone else using their K3 in
> anger on either of these modes? If so are you noticing the same things?
>
> Altering the TX eq does not solve the problem.
>
> By comparison my IC706mk2 in AM mode gives lots of upward modulation
> with compression, which is required under noisy conditions. The same
> radio on FM narrow gives very good audio as well.
>
> Having done a super job with SSB and CW, I'm hoping we can get a
> really top quality AM and FM transmit as well.
>
> Thanks in anticipation
> 73
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
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>  

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[john petters]

Thank you Randy and Dave for the responses. I guess I can't access the
old firmware. I don't remember which version my K3 cme with, but the AM
was very good then. The FM has always been awful. Hope that is on the to
do list as well
73s
John G3YPZ
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