K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch observations in ss

[Lu Romero - W4LT]

Hi all:

During my SS effort this weekend, I took a deep breath and,
20 minutes before the contest, broke all my rules about
software stability and loaded the latest beta (OK, so I like
to live on the edge!).  I wanted the new Gate Feature
active!

I noticed three items with these features.  

First, TX Gate.  I would like to thank Lyle for all the work
he did on this feature.  The Gate is now up to the level of
pro gear, and is a wonderful addition to the feature set of
the radio.  It deals with my noisy shack issues perfectly,
is smooth on attack and release and very useful, and best of
all, no more crackling at the threshold.  Everything was
fine with SSB transmission, too.  Thank you Lyle.

Second, Vox.  The vox worked better than any vox I have ever
used.  I never use vox in contests, but thought I would see
how this feature worked in single op (would never attempt
this in multi op!) I used it for over an hour instead of my
traditional footswitch and found it fast and hard to
confuse, even eating some soft cookies with vox on, no false
tripping (doesnt work with chips, but those soft Keebler
chocolate chip cookies are vox compatible!).  Its fast and
smooth and didnt require constant tweaking of the controls
as on my former Kenwood rigs. Set it once, and it just
works.  You can even stand up and stretch your legs to keep
from cramping while using vox to continue to operate, an
advantage to staying in front of the rig for extended
periods of time (is it the "virtual Butt-In-Chair" feature?)

Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
"glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?

Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
can supply it.

One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
 While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
were running high power... And I was running the K3
barefoot.

Maybe a solution to our band overcrowding is to require that
all contestants use K3's!  :)

Lu Romero - W4LT
K3 # 3192




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[Bill [NS4C]]

I have the same delay with auto notch on when going from TX to RX. Running
FW beta 4.22. I don't know if is new to this beta but will load the released
FW tonight and see.

Thanks for your observations during the SS.

73  Bill  NS4C

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lu Romero
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 2:56 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch observations
in ss

Hi all:

During my SS effort this weekend, I took a deep breath and,
20 minutes before the contest, broke all my rules about
software stability and loaded the latest beta (OK, so I like
to live on the edge!).  I wanted the new Gate Feature
active!

I noticed three items with these features.  

First, TX Gate.  I would like to thank Lyle for all the work
he did on this feature.  The Gate is now up to the level of
pro gear, and is a wonderful addition to the feature set of
the radio.  It deals with my noisy shack issues perfectly,
is smooth on attack and release and very useful, and best of
all, no more crackling at the threshold.  Everything was
fine with SSB transmission, too.  Thank you Lyle.

Second, Vox.  The vox worked better than any vox I have ever
used.  I never use vox in contests, but thought I would see
how this feature worked in single op (would never attempt
this in multi op!) I used it for over an hour instead of my
traditional footswitch and found it fast and hard to
confuse, even eating some soft cookies with vox on, no false
tripping (doesnt work with chips, but those soft Keebler
chocolate chip cookies are vox compatible!).  Its fast and
smooth and didnt require constant tweaking of the controls
as on my former Kenwood rigs. Set it once, and it just
works.  You can even stand up and stretch your legs to keep
from cramping while using vox to continue to operate, an
advantage to staying in front of the rig for extended
periods of time (is it the "virtual Butt-In-Chair" feature?)

Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
"glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?

Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
can supply it.

One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
 While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
were running high power... And I was running the K3
barefoot.

Maybe a solution to our band overcrowding is to require that
all contestants use K3's!  :)

Lu Romero - W4LT
K3 # 3192




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[S Sacco]

> One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
> close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
> have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
>  While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
> could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
> had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
> and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
> were running high power... And I was running the K3
> barefoot.


Lu -

One important thing to remember is that, while you're cranked down all
nice and narrow on RECEIVE, you're still transmitting through the 2.7
or 2.8 kHz filters, so your TRANSMITTED bandwidth is quite a bit wider
than your RECEIVING bandwidth...

73,
Steve
NN4X
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[Nate Bargmann]

* On 2010 22 Nov 16:14 -0600, Lu Romero wrote:
 

> Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
> when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
> "glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
> in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
> I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
> happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
> receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
> for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
> happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
> before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
> this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
> system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?

Yes, I noticed it as well and realizing the notch was on caused me to
turn it off and the effect went away.  I am also running 4.22 beta and
associated DSP and FPF revisions.

> Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
> with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
> you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
> folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
> can supply it.

I didn't find it quite that annoying, but it is definitely noticable and
is present using PTT as well.

73, de Nate >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://n0nb.us/index.html
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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Lyle is taking a look at this.

73, Eric
www.elecraft.com
====
On 11/22/2010 4:48 PM, Nate Bargmann wrote:

> * On 2010 22 Nov 16:14 -0600, Lu Romero wrote:
>
>> Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
>> when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
>> "glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
>> in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
>> I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
>> happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
>> receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
>> for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
>> happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
>> before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
>> this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
>> system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?
> Yes, I noticed it as well and realizing the notch was on caused me to
> turn it off and the effect went away.  I am also running 4.22 beta and
> associated DSP and FPF revisions.
>
>> Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
>> with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
>> you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
>> folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
>> can supply it.
> I didn't find it quite that annoying, but it is definitely noticable and
> is present using PTT as well.
>
> 73, de Nate>>
>

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[Lu Romero - W4LT]

Yup, that's true, but I can show you my transmitted waveform and tell you
that I don’t extend very far from 2.3-2.6KHz wide ever...  My audio goes no
lower than 180Hz and no higher than 2750Hz if my former TV station's
Spectrum Analyzer is correctly calibrated.

But of course you're right!  Maybe these guys should get K3's?  <grin>

-lu-W4LT-
K3 # 3192

-----Original Message-----
From: S Sacco [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 7:23 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch
observations in ss

> One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very close to
> other contestants on a crowded band and, if they have a clean
> transmitter, not know that they are even there.
>  While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I could find
> holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and had several complaints
> from adjecent stations, both above and below which I simply COULD NOT
> HEAR.  Most of these guys were running high power... And I was running
> the K3 barefoot.


Lu -

One important thing to remember is that, while you're cranked down all nice
and narrow on RECEIVE, you're still transmitting through the 2.7 or 2.8 kHz
filters, so your TRANSMITTED bandwidth is quite a bit wider than your
RECEIVING bandwidth...

73,
Steve
NN4X



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[AD4C2009]

"so your TRANSMITTED bandwidth is quite a bit wider
than your RECEIVING bandwidth"
 
Not quite true,certainly using the TX EQ even having a 2.8Khz filter to TX,you can make the TX bandwith narrower,as narrow as just 2.2Khz not to bother others in a contest enviroment and still sound very clear.
 
AD4C
 




"If you see a driver handling a cell phone on her/his hands while driving,do please stay away from that vehicle,its a moving bomb.Your life is at danger.Keep yourself and your family alive"

--- On Tue, 11/23/10, S Sacco <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: S Sacco <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch observations in ss
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 12:22 AM


> One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
> close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
> have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
>  While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
> could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
> had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
> and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
> were running high power... And I was running the K3
> barefoot.


Lu -

One important thing to remember is that, while you're cranked down all
nice and narrow on RECEIVE, you're still transmitting through the 2.7
or 2.8 kHz filters, so your TRANSMITTED bandwidth is quite a bit wider
than your RECEIVING bandwidth...

73,
Steve
NN4X
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[AC7AC]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Matt Zilmer]

If your TX signal fits into the requisite bandwidth, this complaint
doesn't matter because you are not creating off-freq energy.  If
another station's RX equipment can't cope with that it is not the
problem of the transmitter or its operator.  Let the guy with the
receiver problem deal with it.

The topic has come up numerous times before.  It never goes anywhere,
because only K3 owners inhabit this list (well - mostly).

This is not a callous or ruthless attitude, just a reality.  I also
hear many TX'ing stations spraying RF all over the place.  One local
covers 100 KHz with buckshot all over that range!  Be assured your K3
is uber-clean on TX.

I don't work for Elecraft, but yes, I drank the Kool Aid.

Just wait until you're 400 Hz from some bellyaching CW big gun,
running your puny 100W and not actually noticing him, AND working all
the unheard DX out from under him.  Send him a box of Kleenex and a
six pack of Bud.  Then tell him to buy a K3...

Hey, maybe he's running a clean TX.  He just needs a better receiver.
Anyway it's not your problem.

matt W6NIA



On Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:22:36 -0500, you wrote:

>> One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
>> close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
>> have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
>>  While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
>> could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
>> had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
>> and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
>> were running high power... And I was running the K3
>> barefoot.
>
>
>Lu -
>
>One important thing to remember is that, while you're cranked down all
>nice and narrow on RECEIVE, you're still transmitting through the 2.7
>or 2.8 kHz filters, so your TRANSMITTED bandwidth is quite a bit wider
>than your RECEIVING bandwidth...
>
>73,
>Steve
>NN4X
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>
>One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
>close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
>have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
> While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
>could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
>had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
>and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
>were running high power... And I was running the K3
>barefoot.
>
>Maybe a solution to our band overcrowding is to require that
>all contestants use K3's!  :)
>
>Lu Romero - W4LT
>K3 # 3192
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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

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[N2TK]

I don't use the Autonotch often. So just tried it. Using VOX when the K3
switches back to receive I get audio as I should but very quickly the audio
drops out and very quickly it recovers. I don't think it would interrupt a
QSO but it is annoying. Never noticed it before. It happens both in the
Transmit mode and Test mode.

I should have waited another day to upgrade from 4.17 to 4.22 in the other
K3 to see if the earlier version did it too. May have to install earlier
version again to see if it is still there.

N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill [NS4C]
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 4:30 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox,TX Gate and Notch
observations in ss

I have the same delay with auto notch on when going from TX to RX. Running
FW beta 4.22. I don't know if is new to this beta but will load the released
FW tonight and see.

Thanks for your observations during the SS.

73  Bill  NS4C

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lu Romero
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 2:56 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch observations
in ss

Hi all:

During my SS effort this weekend, I took a deep breath and,
20 minutes before the contest, broke all my rules about
software stability and loaded the latest beta (OK, so I like
to live on the edge!).  I wanted the new Gate Feature
active!

I noticed three items with these features.  

First, TX Gate.  I would like to thank Lyle for all the work
he did on this feature.  The Gate is now up to the level of
pro gear, and is a wonderful addition to the feature set of
the radio.  It deals with my noisy shack issues perfectly,
is smooth on attack and release and very useful, and best of
all, no more crackling at the threshold.  Everything was
fine with SSB transmission, too.  Thank you Lyle.

Second, Vox.  The vox worked better than any vox I have ever
used.  I never use vox in contests, but thought I would see
how this feature worked in single op (would never attempt
this in multi op!) I used it for over an hour instead of my
traditional footswitch and found it fast and hard to
confuse, even eating some soft cookies with vox on, no false
tripping (doesnt work with chips, but those soft Keebler
chocolate chip cookies are vox compatible!).  Its fast and
smooth and didnt require constant tweaking of the controls
as on my former Kenwood rigs. Set it once, and it just
works.  You can even stand up and stretch your legs to keep
from cramping while using vox to continue to operate, an
advantage to staying in front of the rig for extended
periods of time (is it the "virtual Butt-In-Chair" feature?)

Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
"glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?

Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
can supply it.

One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
 While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
were running high power... And I was running the K3
barefoot.

Maybe a solution to our band overcrowding is to require that
all contestants use K3's!  :)

Lu Romero - W4LT
K3 # 3192




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[N2TK]

Just tried 4.17 - same problem. Loaded 4.14 and the Autonotch problem went
away.

N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: N2TK, Tony [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 8:45 AM
To: 'Bill [NS4C]'; '[hidden email]'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox,TX Gate and Notch
observations in ss

I don't use the Autonotch often. So just tried it. Using VOX when the K3
switches back to receive I get audio as I should but very quickly the audio
drops out and very quickly it recovers. I don't think it would interrupt a
QSO but it is annoying. Never noticed it before. It happens both in the
Transmit mode and Test mode.

I should have waited another day to upgrade from 4.17 to 4.22 in the other
K3 to see if the earlier version did it too. May have to install earlier
version again to see if it is still there.

N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill [NS4C]
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 4:30 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox,TX Gate and Notch
observations in ss

I have the same delay with auto notch on when going from TX to RX. Running
FW beta 4.22. I don't know if is new to this beta but will load the released
FW tonight and see.

Thanks for your observations during the SS.

73  Bill  NS4C

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lu Romero
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 2:56 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch observations
in ss

Hi all:

During my SS effort this weekend, I took a deep breath and,
20 minutes before the contest, broke all my rules about
software stability and loaded the latest beta (OK, so I like
to live on the edge!).  I wanted the new Gate Feature
active!

I noticed three items with these features.  

First, TX Gate.  I would like to thank Lyle for all the work
he did on this feature.  The Gate is now up to the level of
pro gear, and is a wonderful addition to the feature set of
the radio.  It deals with my noisy shack issues perfectly,
is smooth on attack and release and very useful, and best of
all, no more crackling at the threshold.  Everything was
fine with SSB transmission, too.  Thank you Lyle.

Second, Vox.  The vox worked better than any vox I have ever
used.  I never use vox in contests, but thought I would see
how this feature worked in single op (would never attempt
this in multi op!) I used it for over an hour instead of my
traditional footswitch and found it fast and hard to
confuse, even eating some soft cookies with vox on, no false
tripping (doesnt work with chips, but those soft Keebler
chocolate chip cookies are vox compatible!).  Its fast and
smooth and didnt require constant tweaking of the controls
as on my former Kenwood rigs. Set it once, and it just
works.  You can even stand up and stretch your legs to keep
from cramping while using vox to continue to operate, an
advantage to staying in front of the rig for extended
periods of time (is it the "virtual Butt-In-Chair" feature?)

Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
"glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?

Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
can supply it.

One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
 While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
were running high power... And I was running the K3
barefoot.

Maybe a solution to our band overcrowding is to require that
all contestants use K3's!  :)

Lu Romero - W4LT
K3 # 3192




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[Guy, K2AV]

Lyle is looking into this.     73, Guy.

On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 8:45 AM, N2TK, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I don't use the Autonotch often. So just tried it. Using VOX when the K3
> switches back to receive I get audio as I should but very quickly the audio
> drops out and very quickly it recovers. I don't think it would interrupt a
> QSO but it is annoying. Never noticed it before. It happens both in the
> Transmit mode and Test mode.
>
> I should have waited another day to upgrade from 4.17 to 4.22 in the other
> K3 to see if the earlier version did it too. May have to install earlier
> version again to see if it is still there.
>
> N2TK, Tony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill [NS4C]
> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 4:30 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox,TX Gate and Notch
> observations in ss
>
> I have the same delay with auto notch on when going from TX to RX. Running
> FW beta 4.22. I don't know if is new to this beta but will load the released
> FW tonight and see.
>
> Thanks for your observations during the SS.
>
> 73  Bill  NS4C
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Lu Romero
> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 2:56 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3: Latest Beta FW - Vox, TX Gate and Notch observations
> in ss
>
> Hi all:
>
> During my SS effort this weekend, I took a deep breath and,
> 20 minutes before the contest, broke all my rules about
> software stability and loaded the latest beta (OK, so I like
> to live on the edge!).  I wanted the new Gate Feature
> active!
>
> I noticed three items with these features.
>
> First, TX Gate.  I would like to thank Lyle for all the work
> he did on this feature.  The Gate is now up to the level of
> pro gear, and is a wonderful addition to the feature set of
> the radio.  It deals with my noisy shack issues perfectly,
> is smooth on attack and release and very useful, and best of
> all, no more crackling at the threshold.  Everything was
> fine with SSB transmission, too.  Thank you Lyle.
>
> Second, Vox.  The vox worked better than any vox I have ever
> used.  I never use vox in contests, but thought I would see
> how this feature worked in single op (would never attempt
> this in multi op!) I used it for over an hour instead of my
> traditional footswitch and found it fast and hard to
> confuse, even eating some soft cookies with vox on, no false
> tripping (doesnt work with chips, but those soft Keebler
> chocolate chip cookies are vox compatible!).  Its fast and
> smooth and didnt require constant tweaking of the controls
> as on my former Kenwood rigs. Set it once, and it just
> works.  You can even stand up and stretch your legs to keep
> from cramping while using vox to continue to operate, an
> advantage to staying in front of the rig for extended
> periods of time (is it the "virtual Butt-In-Chair" feature?)
>
> Third, the Notch.  This one is not so good.  I noticed that
> when I attempted to use the Notch, there is an annoying
> "glitch" that results when the notch is on; a complete drop
> in the audio output of the radio on T/R switchover for what
> I consider a long time AFTER the turaround happens!  What
> happens is that, on T/R turn around, you hear an instant of
> receiver audio, then the audio seems to mute completely off
> for an instant, then audio abruptly returns... This doesnt
> happen with the notch off.  This has never happened to me
> before, and I use notch all the time.  Anyone else notice
> this, is it a new interection of either the new Gate or Vox
> system with the notch code or is it "normal" (I hope not!)?
>
> Its VERY annoying, to the level of me deciding to put up
> with tuning tones instead of using the notch (which gives
> you an idea of just how annoying the effect is!).  If the
> folks at Elecraft need to hear a recording of the effect, I
> can supply it.
>
> One bad thing about owning a K3 is that you can get very
> close to other contestants on a crowded band and, if they
> have a clean transmitter, not know that they are even there.
>  While running with the 1.8 filter on and the DSP tight, I
> could find holes within busy bands to attempt runs in and
> had several complaints from adjecent stations, both above
> and below which I simply COULD NOT HEAR.  Most of these guys
> were running high power... And I was running the K3
> barefoot.
>
> Maybe a solution to our band overcrowding is to require that
> all contestants use K3's!  :)
>
> Lu Romero - W4LT
> K3 # 3192
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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>
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>

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[KK7P]

I found a cause and believe I have fixed this problem.  It is currently
out to our core field testers for evaluation.

If you are comfortable loading DSP files only using the advanced mode of
K3 Utility, know your way around your computer, and want to test this,
send me a *private* email with an address to which I can send a 153
kilobyte ZIP file.  The ZIP file will include DSP .hex files for Main
and Aux DSPs, and an updated release notes file only.

The test is simple: verify you are experiencing the problem, then load
the new files and verify you no longer experience the problem.

73,

Lyle KK7P
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[KK7P]

All reports so far indicate the notch problem is fixed.  Thank you to
those who took the time to test and tell me the results.

I won't be sending out any more special file sets.  The Beta should be
updated next week sometime with this fix.

73 es Happy Thanksgiving,

Lyle KK7P
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