K3: Audio Quality of SSB (RX, not TX) ?

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K3: Audio Quality of SSB (RX, not TX) ?

Phil Hystad
I have been using up e-mail bits and bytes "selling" the K3 to a friend of mine (Greg, KM6SG).  He hasn't done much CW since he passed his Advanced license test and is mostly a SSB type of guy.  Me, I am mostly CW.

So, he asks me this question about the K3, "Can the K3 DSP repair or fixup the audio quality of a weak SSB signal".

Now, I am thinking that something like the K3's diversity reception features might be useful but I know that he does not have the room for other antennas.  So, is there some aspect of the K3 that might set it apart from other rigs (Yaesu, Icom, etc.) regarding reception of SSB.

If there were features of the K3 (other than diversity reception) that set it apart and above other rigs regarding the clarity and quality of received SSB then maybe my friend will be convinced and buy a rig.  Or, maybe my haranguing him to get back into CW will work too.  Also, he lives in Scottsdale, AZ so maybe if there is a K3 user nearby he would be able to go and listen in person.

73, phil, K7PEH
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Re: [Elecraft] K3: Audio Quality of SSB (RX, not TX) ?

Cookie
Phil, the K3 has lots of tools that will help with a weak SSB signal.  The receiver is very sensitive, the Noise Blanker works well, but takes some experience to get the full benefit because it has a lot of flexibility.  The Notch works very well.  Of course, the ONLY thing that matters is how it compares with what he has now and the other rigs that he is considering (if any).  I came from a Kenwood TS-850S which is so good that I didn't consider anything else until the K3 came along.  I have not been disappointed.

That being said, the best cure for weak SSB signals is a better receiving antenna, a better transmitting antenna for the other station and more power for the other station.  The K3 is almost magic, but it is still subject to the Laws of Physics.
 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ




________________________________
From: Phil Hystad <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Discussion List <[hidden email]>
Sent: Fri, January 22, 2010 12:04:06 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: Audio Quality of SSB (RX, not TX) ?

I have been using up e-mail bits and bytes "selling" the K3 to a friend of mine (Greg, KM6SG).  He hasn't done much CW since he passed his Advanced license test and is mostly a SSB type of guy.  Me, I am mostly CW.

So, he asks me this question about the K3, "Can the K3 DSP repair or fixup the audio quality of a weak SSB signal".

Now, I am thinking that something like the K3's diversity reception features might be useful but I know that he does not have the room for other antennas.  So, is there some aspect of the K3 that might set it apart from other rigs (Yaesu, Icom, etc.) regarding reception of SSB.

If there were features of the K3 (other than diversity reception) that set it apart and above other rigs regarding the clarity and quality of received SSB then maybe my friend will be convinced and buy a rig.  Or, maybe my haranguing him to get back into CW will work too.  Also, he lives in Scottsdale, AZ so maybe if there is a K3 user nearby he would be able to go and listen in person.

73, phil, K7PEH
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Re: [Elecraft] K3: Audio Quality of SSB (RX, not TX) ?

AD4C2009
In reply to this post by Phil Hystad
"Can the K3 DSP repair or fixup the audio quality of a weak SSB signal".?

Dear  Phil,like it was stated already the K3 is not magic,its almost perfect but I can tell you that coming from a sold FT-2000 and a sold IC-756ProIII,I am impressed of how well the DSP works at the K3,I could never do with those two radios I sold what I do now with my K3, yes you can pick up a signal within the band noise with about S4 or S5 either in CW or SSB that when you hear it it sound distorded mixed with the noise and then once you enable the DSP and play with its different settings,you will be able to hear the same weak station but now it will be crystal clear, and best of all in CW there will not be any ringing noise or digital robotic sound,it will be very clear,I use the DSP constantly on 40M when the noise don't let me pickup weak russian stations,some of them sound terrible,with signals of 449 or even weaker and with the DSP I can hear them as a clear 579 signal.
I hope my answer be good for your friend,73
 
AD4C


"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Fri, 1/22/10, Phil Hystad <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: Phil Hystad <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: Audio Quality of SSB (RX, not TX) ?
To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
Date: Friday, January 22, 2010, 6:04 PM


I have been using up e-mail bits and bytes "selling" the K3 to a friend of mine (Greg, KM6SG).  He hasn't done much CW since he passed his Advanced license test and is mostly a SSB type of guy.  Me, I am mostly CW.

So, he asks me this question about the K3, "Can the K3 DSP repair or fixup the audio quality of a weak SSB signal".

Now, I am thinking that something like the K3's diversity reception features might be useful but I know that he does not have the room for other antennas.  So, is there some aspect of the K3 that might set it apart from other rigs (Yaesu, Icom, etc.) regarding reception of SSB.

If there were features of the K3 (other than diversity reception) that set it apart and above other rigs regarding the clarity and quality of received SSB then maybe my friend will be convinced and buy a rig.  Or, maybe my haranguing him to get back into CW will work too.  Also, he lives in Scottsdale, AZ so maybe if there is a K3 user nearby he would be able to go and listen in person.

73, phil, K7PEH
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