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K3 LPF add-on filter

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K2QI

K3 LPF add-on filter

Good morning Elecrafters!

It's been some time now since the K3 LPF add-on filter board was released.
I've been contemplating purchasing one since its debut as I've noticed in
the past hi-frequency DSP artifiacts, especially when listening with
headphones. However, as time passed and firmware improved, I don't seem to
hear so many of the things I thought I heard before. Perhaps my hearing has
changed as well - who knows?

So, with that said - what are people's opinions now on the LPF module? Is
it still worth the purchase? Can a noticeable difference be heard,
particularly on SSB with the filter installed?

Finally, for those who performed the install themselves, what did you use to
cut the two traces? Will a box cutter work or should I use a dremel cutting
wheel?

Tnx,
James

--
73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
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--... ...-- -.. . .--- .- -- . ...

Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2

Re: K3 LPF add-on filter

James,

I recently installed the LPF myself. I cut the traces with my
pocketknife. Nothing to it, just be careful.
Soldering the filter was easy, after I cleaned up the via-holes.

About the sound: The K3 sounds great with it. I THINK it sounds better
than before (i use a heil headset).
Proof for what it's worht: I find myself listening with the the headset
more than before.

(BTW, besides the headset I have two reasonable cheap Trust Soundwave
Dynamic speakers for filling the shack with audio.)

73,
Arie PA3A

Op 15-11-2010 16:25, James Sarte schreef:

> ---
> So, with that said - what are people's opinions now on the LPF module? Is
> it still worth the purchase? Can a noticeable difference be heard,
> particularly on SSB with the filter installed?
>
> Finally, for those who performed the install themselves, what did you use to
> cut the two traces? Will a box cutter work or should I use a dremel cutting
> wheel?
>
> Tnx,
> James
>

______________________________________________________________
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
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 LPF add-on filter

In reply to this post by K2QI

> So, with that said - what are people's opinions now on the LPF
> module? Is it still worth the purchase? Can a noticeable difference
> be heard, particularly on SSB with the filter installed?

Absolutely worthwhile. Much smoother sound and dramatic reduction
of both 12 KHz clock as well as other artifacts above 4.5 KHz.

>> Finally, for those who performed the install themselves, what did
>> youuse to cut the two traces?

Xacto knife/scalpel works fine with more precision than a box cutter.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 11/15/2010 10:25 AM, James Sarte wrote:

> Good morning Elecrafters!
>
> It's been some time now since the K3 LPF add-on filter board was released.
> I've been contemplating purchasing one since its debut as I've noticed in
> the past hi-frequency DSP artifiacts, especially when listening with
> headphones. However, as time passed and firmware improved, I don't seem to
> hear so many of the things I thought I heard before. Perhaps my hearing has
> changed as well - who knows?
>
> So, with that said - what are people's opinions now on the LPF module? Is
> it still worth the purchase? Can a noticeable difference be heard,
> particularly on SSB with the filter installed?
>
> Finally, for those who performed the install themselves, what did you use to
> cut the two traces? Will a box cutter work or should I use a dremel cutting
> wheel?
>
> Tnx,
> James
>

K2QI

Re: K3 LPF add-on filter

Thanks for the feedback.

I just spoke to Vicky at Elecraft. I placed my order for the LPF board,
plus two of the K3 synthesizer stiffener kits. I figured since I'm
replacing the defective RFC4 choke on the main board, I might as well bring
the K3 up to date.

Mni tnx,
James K2QI

On Mon, Nov 15, 2010 at 11:26 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> > So, with that said - what are people's opinions now on the LPF
> > module? Is it still worth the purchase? Can a noticeable difference
> > be heard, particularly on SSB with the filter installed?
>
> Absolutely worthwhile. Much smoother sound and dramatic reduction
> of both 12 KHz clock as well as other artifacts above 4.5 KHz.
>
> >> Finally, for those who performed the install themselves, what did
> >> youuse to cut the two traces?
>
> Xacto knife/scalpel works fine with more precision than a box cutter.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>

--... ...-- -.. . .--- .- -- . ...

Joe Planisky

Re: K3 LPF add-on filter

In reply to this post by K2QI

Hi James,

It's been some time since I bought and installed the LPF, and since
it's not something you can put in and take out easily I can't comment
on whether later firmware changes have reduced high frequency
artifacts. The artifacts I was hearing back then were the aliased
audio around the 12 kHz D/A clock, which the LPF pretty much knocked
out.

The difference when I installed the filter was subtle, but noticeable;
I still have SOME hearing left in the 12 kHz range :-) I would say
it's worth installing if either you hear the high frequency artifacts
and they bother you, or you just want to keep your rig up-to-date with
the latest mods, perhaps for resale reasons down the road.

Installation is pretty straight forward. A sharp knife will do to cut
the traces, I don't think you should get in there with a Dremel tool.
One twitch and you could do a lot of damage. I used an Xacto knife
with a new blade and it was almost disturbing how easily the traces
were cut!

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Nov 15, 2010, at 7:25 AM, James Sarte wrote:

> Good morning Elecrafters!
>
> It's been some time now since the K3 LPF add-on filter board was
> released.
> I've been contemplating purchasing one since its debut as I've
> noticed in
> the past hi-frequency DSP artifiacts, especially when listening with
> headphones. However, as time passed and firmware improved, I don't
> seem to
> hear so many of the things I thought I heard before. Perhaps my
> hearing has
> changed as well - who knows?
>
> So, with that said - what are people's opinions now on the LPF
> module? Is
> it still worth the purchase? Can a noticeable difference be heard,
> particularly on SSB with the filter installed?
>
> Finally, for those who performed the install themselves, what did
> you use to
> cut the two traces? Will a box cutter work or should I use a dremel
> cutting
> wheel?
>
> Tnx,
> James
>
> --
> 73 de James K2QI
> President UNARC/4U1UN
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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