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K3 AM receive question

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kf4ueo

K3 AM receive question

I am contemplating the purchase of a K3 and want to SWL also. Can I use the AM mode to listen to SW using the stock 2.7Khz tuning one sideband. The impression I find reading the list is that no, you have to have the 6Khz filter to use the AM mode but can use USB/LSB. I cant imagine music sounding great that way unless I can use the AM syncho mode.

My budget is around $1800.00 and find that a K3 with the options I need/want pushes that boundary. (Cw filter, K3BPF, AM filter ~$1979.00) Currently I have a K2 so I know how great Elecraft gear is!

TNX es 73's
KF4UEO
Stefan

Thomas Horsten

Re: K3 AM receive question

Hi Stefan,

You can listen to AM (in AM/AM-S) mode with the 2.7kHz filter FB. But the
wider rx that the 6kHz filter provides gives a very noticeable improvement
in audio on the broadcast stations. My K3 (bought second hand) came with
2.7kHz filter and no general coverage RX filter, since I am also interested
in SWL I ordered both the 6kHz AM filter and the general coverage filter, I
have to say it makes a huge difference for AM listening with those two
installed (obviously the further you get away from the ham bands, the
greater the difference for RX sensitivity).

Listening to talk radio with the stock 2.7kHz filter is tolerable, but
after installing the wider one I find myself listening a lot more to the
shortwave broadcast stations.

Needless to say the audio is great, I'd say acceptable from the built-in
speaker but with my added Audioengine A2 desktop speakers it makes for a
classy listening experience.

But try with the stock filter and judge for yourself, you can always order
the wider filter later, installing it is easy. Depending on how much of a
priority shortwave listening is to you, you may or may not decide to get
it, it's perfectly acceptable quality in AM-S mode with the 2.7kHz filter
for voice transmissions.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 14 May 2012 20:53, kf4ueo <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I am contemplating the purchase of a K3 and want to SWL also. Can I use
> the
> AM mode to listen to SW using the stock 2.7Khz tuning one sideband. The
> impression I find reading the list is that no, you have to have the 6Khz
> filter to use the AM mode but can use USB/LSB. I cant imagine music
> sounding
> great that way unless I can use the AM syncho mode.
>
> My budget is around $1800.00 and find that a K3 with the options I
> need/want pushes that boundary. (Cw filter, K3BPF, AM filter ~$1979.00)
> Currently I have a K2 so I know how great Elecraft gear is!
>
> TNX es 73's
> KF4UEO
> Stefan
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-AM-receive-question-tp7555835.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Bill Clarke

Re: K3 AM receive question

I put the KBPF3 and 6K filter in my K3. Prior to that it was dismal -
even on local AM stations.

Now it is an excellent SWL receiver - wish I had this back in the hay
days of all the foreign broadcasters (pre-Internet).

No regrets on spending the extra dollars.

Bill W2BLC

--
IN GOD I TRUST (but, NOT a single politician)
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 AM receive question

In reply to this post by kf4ueo

On 5/14/2012 3:53 PM, kf4ueo wrote:
> I am contemplating the purchase of a K3 and want to SWL also. Can I
> use the AM mode to listen to SW using the stock 2.7Khz tuning one
> sideband.

Yes, the K3 provides passable 3 KHz audio using the 2.7 or 2.8 KHz
filter in Sync-AM mode or when tuned to one side in standard AM.

The 6 KHz filter provides 4.5 KHz audio in Sync AM (limited by the
audio low pass filter) and 3+ KHz audio with envelope detection.

I tend to like the FM filter if you're not transmitting AM (because
the K3 will not allow AM transmission with the FM filter) since it
provides a full 4.5 KHz audio response with envelope detection.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 5/14/2012 3:53 PM, kf4ueo wrote:

> I am contemplating the purchase of a K3 and want to SWL also. Can I use the
> AM mode to listen to SW using the stock 2.7Khz tuning one sideband. The
> impression I find reading the list is that no, you have to have the 6Khz
> filter to use the AM mode but can use USB/LSB. I cant imagine music sounding
> great that way unless I can use the AM syncho mode.
>
> My budget is around $1800.00 and find that a K3 with the options I
> need/want pushes that boundary. (Cw filter, K3BPF, AM filter ~$1979.00)
> Currently I have a K2 so I know how great Elecraft gear is!
>
> TNX es 73's
> KF4UEO
> Stefan
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-AM-receive-question-tp7555835.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
>

vk4tux

Re: K3 AM receive question

Joe, Doesnt the KFL3B-FM filer allow AM transmit, wnen you set it up as 6k bandwidth in K3 Utility Xtal config?
I was under the impression from past posts that that was the case and KFL3B-FM could be set back to 13k for FM use again?

Adrian ... vk4tux

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 AM receive question

Adrian.

The 13 kHz filter can be used for AM receive and the effect is quite
nice, but if you want t transmit AM you must have the 6 MHz filter
installed.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/14/2012 11:34 PM, vk4tux wrote:

> Joe, Doesnt the KFL3B-FM filer allow AM transmit, wnen you set it up as 6k
> bandwidth in K3 Utility Xtal config?
> I was under the impression from past posts that that was the case and
> KFL3B-FM could be set back to 13k for FM use again?
>
> Adrian ... vk4tux
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-AM-receive-question-tp7555835p7555854.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
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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vk4tux

Re: K3 AM receive question

Thanks Don, I guess I misread an old post that had given me the impression
that the 13k filter could be "tricked"
I am glad I did not get rid of my 6k filter now, sitting in its box in the
draw.

One thing I would wish for in the K3 is six filter slots instead of the 5, I
could setup all; 250hz8p, 1.8k8p, 2.1k8p, 2.8k8p, 6k8p and 13k filters.
If there was a kit to add an extra filter slot, I would get it tomorrow.

Adrian ... vk4tux

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2012 1:45 PM
To: vk4tux
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 AM receive question

Adrian.

The 13 kHz filter can be used for AM receive and the effect is quite nice,
but if you want t transmit AM you must have the 6 MHz filter installed.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/14/2012 11:34 PM, vk4tux wrote:

> Joe, Doesnt the KFL3B-FM filer allow AM transmit, wnen you set it up
> as 6k bandwidth in K3 Utility Xtal config?
> I was under the impression from past posts that that was the case and
> KFL3B-FM could be set back to 13k for FM use again?
>
> Adrian ... vk4tux
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-AM-receive-question-tp7555835p
> 7555854.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
>

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 AM receive question

In reply to this post by vk4tux

Yes, you can "trick" the K3 into using the FM filter for AM and ESSB
by calling it a 6 KHz filter. However, you must set it back to FM
to transmit FM. In addition, it is difficult to use the K3 Utility
to do so since the K3 utility objects to setting AM transmit without
a 6 KHz filter (won't take either 13 or 2.8) or FM without the FM
filter (won't take 6).

I'm away from the rig and can't double check the latest K3 Utility.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 5/14/2012 11:34 PM, vk4tux wrote:

vk4tux

Re: K3 AM receive question

In reply to this post by vk4tux

Gary I like having both, 2.1k @ 1.4 shift is my favourite setup. When
neighbours get too close the 1.8k goes to work with 1.8k (or less) @ 1.3(or
less) shift..

Cheers

Adrian

From: Gary Gregory [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2012 7:09 PM
To: Adrian
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 AM receive question

Adrian,

I am puzzled. I sold my 2.1Khz and got the 1.8Khz and listen at 1.75 pretty
much all the time.

Where do you find the 2.1Khz filter works over the 1.8Khz?

Gary

On 15 May 2012 16:34, Adrian <[hidden email]> wrote:

Thanks Don, I guess I misread an old post that had given me the impression
that the 13k filter could be "tricked"
I am glad I did not get rid of my 6k filter now, sitting in its box in the
draw.

One thing I would wish for in the K3 is six filter slots instead of the 5, I
could setup all; 250hz8p, 1.8k8p, 2.1k8p, 2.8k8p, 6k8p and 13k filters.
If there was a kit to add an extra filter slot, I would get it tomorrow.

Adrian ... vk4tux

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2012 1:45 PM
To: vk4tux
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 AM receive question

Adrian.

The 13 kHz filter can be used for AM receive and the effect is quite nice,
but if you want t transmit AM you must have the 6 MHz filter installed.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/14/2012 11:34 PM, vk4tux wrote:

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--
Gary
VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile
Elecraft Equipment
K3 #679, KPA-500 #018
Living the dream!!!

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Edward R Cole

Re: K3 AM receive question

In reply to this post by kf4ueo

I do not have the AM filter but use the wider FM filter for broadcast
AM and works very nice. I do not transmit AM mode.

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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