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K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

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W7GJ, Lance

K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

Howdy!

I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected into the rear
panel (the front panel connection was having RF distortion) with the HIGH bias level.
The Mic gain is less than 5 and the compression is 10. The ALC is never out of
the indicated range.

With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding slightly distorted
and there being "crackling noises". I can hear these crackling sounds in between
syllables when I turn up the monitor loud in the headphones. All the crackling
noises disappear when I turn off the TX GATE. Do I have something adjusted wrong, or
is it just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion when the TX GATE is
on? I would prefer to run without any distortion, but my loud blower is right behind
me and it is strong into the mic like a jet plane in between syllables without the TX
GATE. Do I need to choose between the two evils?

I would appreciate any guidance. Thanks! VY 73, Lance
--
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL: (406) 626-5728
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the MAGIC BAND EME email reflector!

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Matt Zilmer

Re: K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

Try adjusting the noise gate level up until the crackle disappears. If
you have it set too low, it doesn't seem to close quickly enough with
high background noise levels.

I had the same problem with a cooling fan behind me at an angle. Works
fine now. The level here is 18. Of course, YMMV.

You can set the gate with CONFIG:TX GATE using instructions in the
owner's manual, on p59.

73,
matt W6NIA
K3 #24

On Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:03:38 +0000, you wrote:

>Howdy!
>
>I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected into the rear
>panel (the front panel connection was having RF distortion) with the HIGH bias level.
> The Mic gain is less than 5 and the compression is 10. The ALC is never out of
>the indicated range.
>
>With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding slightly distorted
>and there being "crackling noises". I can hear these crackling sounds in between
>syllables when I turn up the monitor loud in the headphones. All the crackling
>noises disappear when I turn off the TX GATE. Do I have something adjusted wrong, or
>is it just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion when the TX GATE is
>on? I would prefer to run without any distortion, but my loud blower is right behind
>me and it is strong into the mic like a jet plane in between syllables without the TX
>GATE. Do I need to choose between the two evils?
>
>I would appreciate any guidance. Thanks! VY 73, Lance

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

In reply to this post by W7GJ, Lance

Lance,

If that is a standard Heil headset (with a dynamic mic element like the
HC4 or HC5), then you should *not* have bias turned on. If you have the
Proset K2 (with an electret mic element) or a Proset with an -iC (Icom)
suffix, that also has an electret element and will require bias.

The "H" or "L" refers to the microphone gain range and *not* to the bias
level. You may want to try the low range to have more control over your
mic gain (your mic level setting will require higher numbers).

73,
Don W3FPR

Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:

> Howdy!
>
> I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected into the rear
> panel (the front panel connection was having RF distortion) with the HIGH bias level.
> The Mic gain is less than 5 and the compression is 10. The ALC is never out of
> the indicated range.
>
> With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding slightly distorted
> and there being "crackling noises". I can hear these crackling sounds in between
> syllables when I turn up the monitor loud in the headphones. All the crackling
> noises disappear when I turn off the TX GATE. Do I have something adjusted wrong, or
> is it just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion when the TX GATE is
> on? I would prefer to run without any distortion, but my loud blower is right behind
> me and it is strong into the mic like a jet plane in between syllables without the TX
> GATE. Do I need to choose between the two evils?
>
> I would appreciate any guidance. Thanks! VY 73, Lance
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.38/2274 - Release Date: 07/31/09 05:58:00
>
>

W7GJ, Lance

Re: K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

Hi Don,

TNX for the email.

Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Lance,
>
> If that is a standard Heil headset (with a dynamic mic element like the
> HC4 or HC5), then you should *not* have bias turned on. If you have the
> Proset K2 (with an electret mic element) or a Proset with an -iC (Icom)
> suffix, that also has an electret element and will require bias.

Yes, my Proset K2 says IC on the side of it, so I have the bias turned on.
>
> The "H" or "L" refers to the microphone gain range and *not* to the bias
> level. You may want to try the low range to have more control over your
> mic gain (your mic level setting will require higher numbers).

Ah....I see. OK - I think I will stay at the H level and just keep it around 5 then.
TNX and VY 73, Lance

>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:
>> Howdy!
>>
>> I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected
>> into the rear panel (the front panel connection was having RF
>> distortion) with the HIGH bias level. The Mic gain is less than 5
>> and the compression is 10. The ALC is never out of the indicated range.
>>
>> With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding
>> slightly distorted and there being "crackling noises". I can hear
>> these crackling sounds in between syllables when I turn up the monitor
>> loud in the headphones. All the crackling noises disappear when I
>> turn off the TX GATE. Do I have something adjusted wrong, or is it
>> just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion when the TX
>> GATE is on? I would prefer to run without any distortion, but my loud
>> blower is right behind me and it is strong into the mic like a jet
>> plane in between syllables without the TX GATE. Do I need to choose
>> between the two evils?
>>
>> I would appreciate any guidance. Thanks! VY 73, Lance
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database:
>> 270.13.38/2274 - Release Date: 07/31/09 05:58:00
>>
>>
>
>

--
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL: (406) 626-5728
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the MAGIC BAND EME email reflector!

______________________________________________________________
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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W7GJ, Lance

Re: K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

In reply to this post by Matt Zilmer

Hello Matt,

TNX for your email!

Matt Zilmer wrote:
> Try adjusting the noise gate level up until the crackle disappears. If
> you have it set too low, it doesn't seem to close quickly enough with
> high background noise levels.

I will continue to experiment with it, but it seems that I still have the crackling
with it turned up to 25. VY 73, Lance

>
> I had the same problem with a cooling fan behind me at an angle. Works
> fine now. The level here is 18. Of course, YMMV.
>
> You can set the gate with CONFIG:TX GATE using instructions in the
> owner's manual, on p59.
>
> 73,
> matt W6NIA
> K3 #24
>
> On Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:03:38 +0000, you wrote:
>
>> Howdy!
>>
>> I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected into the rear
>> panel (the front panel connection was having RF distortion) with the HIGH bias level.
>> The Mic gain is less than 5 and the compression is 10. The ALC is never out of
>> the indicated range.
>>
>> With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding slightly distorted
>> and there being "crackling noises". I can hear these crackling sounds in between
>> syllables when I turn up the monitor loud in the headphones. All the crackling
>> noises disappear when I turn off the TX GATE. Do I have something adjusted wrong, or
>> is it just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion when the TX GATE is
>> on? I would prefer to run without any distortion, but my loud blower is right behind
>> me and it is strong into the mic like a jet plane in between syllables without the TX
>> GATE. Do I need to choose between the two evils?
>>
>> I would appreciate any guidance. Thanks! VY 73, Lance
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Re: K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

In reply to this post by Matt Zilmer

Hi Lance,

I had exactly the same reports from local stations when I tried to use the
feature. (I'm using a Heil dynamic ProSet plugged into the back.) After playing
with various adjustments and finding none that would elimminate the distortion,
I elected to turn TX Gate off and not use it.

Make sure, when you get reports of fan noise, that the reporter is listening to
you at an appropriate level of RF gain (i.e., minimal AGC action). With a very
strong signal, depending on the AGC with RF gain maxed will definitely cause the
received audio level to soar between sentences, and any background noise becomes
very noticeable, even though it is maybe 60 dB down from your voice peaks. Not
much you can (or should have to) do about that. The TX Gate was a nice idea, but
it is flawed IMO.

Bill W5WVO

Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:

> Hello Matt,
>
> TNX for your email!
>
> Matt Zilmer wrote:
>> Try adjusting the noise gate level up until the crackle disappears.
>> If you have it set too low, it doesn't seem to close quickly enough
>> with high background noise levels.
>
> I will continue to experiment with it, but it seems that I still have
> the crackling with it turned up to 25. VY 73, Lance
>>
>> I had the same problem with a cooling fan behind me at an angle.
>> Works fine now. The level here is 18. Of course, YMMV.
>>
>> You can set the gate with CONFIG:TX GATE using instructions in the
>> owner's manual, on p59.
>>
>> 73,
>> matt W6NIA
>> K3 #24
>>
>> On Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:03:38 +0000, you wrote:
>>
>>> Howdy!
>>>
>>> I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected
>>> into the rear panel (the front panel connection was having RF
>>> distortion) with the HIGH bias level. The Mic gain is less than
>>> 5 and the compression is 10. The ALC is never out of
>>> the indicated range.
>>>
>>> With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding
>>> slightly distorted and there being "crackling noises". I can hear
>>> these crackling sounds in between syllables when I turn up the
>>> monitor loud in the headphones. All the crackling noises disappear
>>> when I turn off the TX GATE. Do I have something adjusted wrong,
>>> or is it just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion
>>> when the TX GATE is on? I would prefer to run without any
>>> distortion, but my loud blower is right behind me and it is strong
>>> into the mic like a jet plane in between syllables without the TX
>>> GATE. Do I need to choose between the two evils?
>>>
>>> I would appreciate any guidance. Thanks! VY 73, Lance
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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