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K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

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Chuck Teeter KE9CE

K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

Hello, All:

I¹ve made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to solicit
some recommendations from you. I¹ve been out of ham radio for a long time
and am finally getting back into it. My initial plan is to operate SSB for
fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
some of the other operating modes. I don¹t have the budget for a fully
loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more as
needed. What I¹m looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU
and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting. What do you think?

Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply, microphone,
and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with any
of them outside of Yaesu.

Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important. I¹m
really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
perfect way to do it.

Thanks.

73,
Chuck Teeter (KE9CE)
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Dick Dievendorff

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

Hi, Charles. Welcome!

For casual contesting, I you may be able to defer the 1.8 kHz filter. It's
quite useful when you're running and want to squeeze into a spot and reduce
the "monkey chatter" from the guy up 2. But if you're primarily a S&P
contester, I think you'll find that the standard 2.7 kHz filter is a good
enough start. You can of course add the 1.8 kHz filter at any time. I do
prefer the 1.8 to the 2.1 kHz 8-pole filter for SSB contesting. Some users
(a few serious contesters) have expressed a preference for the Inrad 1.5 kHz
filter as their "tight" SSB filter.

Do you want a headset with a boom microphone, or a standalone microphone? I
use a Yamaha CM-500 headset that works very well. It's inexpensive. You
can also use almost any inexpensive computer headset to get started. There
aren't many microphones that won't work, if you get the connector right.
It's a matter of preference. Elecraft sells a headset with microphone as
well as a hand-held microphone that of course work well with the K3. If you
already have a microphone of any sort, give that a try before shelling out
for another.

I prefer Astron linear power supplies for 13.8V rigs. They're electrically
quiet and robust, but they're heavy and not very portable. Many have
reported good success with communications-quality switching power supplies,
although you do need to be wary of the electrical noise that some lower
quality switchers might produce. I would look to QST and eHam.net product
reviews for advice here. I have a Gamma Research HPS-1 that is quite
portable, but I've had trouble developing full output from my K3 with that
supply, even in short-duty cycle modes.

Welcome back to the hobby! I had a hiatus in my career-building years, and
have had much more fun on the second pass than I did initially.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Charles Teeter
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:56 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

Hello, All:

I¹ve made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to solicit
some recommendations from you. I¹ve been out of ham radio for a long time
and am finally getting back into it. My initial plan is to operate SSB for
fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
some of the other operating modes. I don¹t have the budget for a fully
loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more as
needed. What I¹m looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU
and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting. What do you think?

Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply, microphone,
and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with any
of them outside of Yaesu.

Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important. I¹m
really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
perfect way to do it.

Thanks.

73,
Chuck Teeter (KE9CE)
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John W2XS

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Chuck Teeter KE9CE

Congrats on the K3 decision. I have S/N 919 and it has been a joy to use and upgrade over the past 2 years. Here are my opinions on things that might be interesting for your K3 station.

Power Supply:

Astron RS-35A (no meters - the K3 can display the voltage and current). I got a good deal from R&L Electronics.

http://www.randl.com/shop/index.shtml

Mount the transformer on rubber insulators and keep it under the table to minimize the audible (not electrical) hum. If you can, use only half of the supplied power cable length to minimize voltage drop while transmitting. Nothing is wrong with using the whole cable as supplied by Elecraft but I saved a few tenths of a volt by making it shorter.

All-Band Antenna:

Cobra Ultralite from

www.k1jek.com

Buy a Balun Designs Tuner balun Model #4124 from

http://www.balundesigns.com/servlet/the-Tuner-Baluns/Categories

and work all bands 160m to 6m with one antenna. This balun does not get hot and has very good balance. The K3 (and K2) tuner remembers the settings from band to band so it is easy to QSY. You have to try it to appreciate how convenient this is. Of course, it is not a beam on a tower, but it allows for good QSOs on all bands.

Filters:

The main source of selectivity in the K3 is the DSP. It is very good all by itself. But one of the greatest features of the K3 architecture is the roofing filter concept. They protect the DSP from overloading on very strong signals. You can choose the optional filters at any time. If you are mainly going to operate SSB, then choosing no or one optional filter at purchase time isn’t a bad idea.

Speakers:

Buy a pair of small, un-powered bookshelf speakers – the ones with a 3 or 4 inch speaker in them. Best Buy is one source. Here is a sample of some model numbers that have been posted here:

Sony B-1000 bookshelf speakers
KLH 970A at Sears
Insignia bookshelf speakers Model: IS-SP3WAY SKU: 7314523 at best buy.

I bought a pair of Tivoli audio speakers that match the Model One radio. They sound great. However, I bought them reasonably from the clearance center which I do not see anymore. The K3 has plenty of audio power available so amplified speakers are not needed and might be prone to RFI.

Microphone

I am a CW operator so I will be watching other people’s recommendations for a mike.

I bought my K3 with the FM, AM, 2.7, 500, and 200 Hz filters along with the general-coverage option and ATU. I added the sub-receiver after a year. It really helps when working a DX station in the split mode.

73,

John W2XS

k0wa@swbell.net

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

I¹ve made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to solicit
some recommendations from you. I¹ve been out of ham radio for a long time
and am finally getting back into it. My initial plan is to operate SSB for
fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
some of the other operating modes. I don¹t have the budget for a fully
loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more as
needed. What I¹m looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU
and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting. What do you think?

>>>>I would go with the 2.7 filter and use the BW control to do what you want. Remember, these filters are roofing filters and not conventional filter like we use to have. Most of the filtering is done in software. Instead of the 1.8 filter, I would spend filter money on a 500 Hz roofing filter. Works great.

Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply, microphone,
and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with any
of them outside of Yaesu.

>>>>>Astron 35 (any variation). Or, you can use a switching supply. I have used an SS-30 to run the K3.. Speakers: I like some old 4 ohm Motorola communication speakers, but if you search the archives you will find a wealth of information on what people are using. Searching is easy. Go to the Elecraft web site and you can get to the archives of this reflector. Microphone: Just about any Kenwood will work. I use a Heil Pro Set when I am on SSB, but I operate mostly CW and RTTY.

I have a basic K3/100 with the ATU and a 500 Hz Filter. Works great for me.

Lee - K0WA

Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important. I¹m
really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
perfect way to do it.

Thanks.

73,
Chuck Teeter (KE9CE)
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Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

I have to respectfully disagree with Lee's advice to get a 500 Hz filter
instead of a 1.8 kHz SSB filter. (Reason: Chuck said in his post that his
intention was to operate SSB in contests, and that "over time" he "hopes" to
get back into CW. There is no need for a 500 Hz filter if you aren't going
to operate CW! This filter can be added later.)

On the other hand, the 1.8 kHz filter is tremendously useful for
crowded-band conditions when working SSB contests. For clear-frequency
rag-chews, no, you don't need the 1.8 kHz roofing filter, but for trying to
hear marginal signals under crowded SSB contest conditions, it's a great
help. I certainly appreciate mine during contests, even on 6 meters.

Chuck, I'd say you have it about right in terms of an initial configuration.

The only other thing I would suggest would be the KXV3A module, if you are
planning to (a) run a VHF transverter, (b) run the PR6 6-meter preamplifier.
or (c) run the new P3 panadapter or any other device that needs an IF output
signal from the K3. If none of the above, then you can safely skip this
module until you need it.

Bill W5WVO

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Lee Buller" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 12:44 PM
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

>
>
>
>
> I¹ve made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to
> solicit
> some recommendations from you. I¹ve been out of ham radio for a long time
> and am finally getting back into it. My initial plan is to operate SSB
> for
> fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
> some of the other operating modes. I don¹t have the budget for a fully
> loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more
> as
> needed. What I¹m looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the
> ATU
> and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting. What do you think?
>
>>>>>I would go with the 2.7 filter and use the BW control to do what you
>>>>>want. Remember, these filters are roofing filters and not conventional
>>>>>filter like we use to have. Most of the filtering is done in software.
>>>>>Instead of the 1.8 filter, I would spend filter money on a 500 Hz
>>>>>roofing filter. Works great.
>
> Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply,
> microphone,
> and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
> included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with
> any
> of them outside of Yaesu.
>
>>>>>>Astron 35 (any variation). Or, you can use a switching supply. I
>>>>>>have used an SS-30 to run the K3.. Speakers: I like some old 4 ohm
>>>>>>Motorola communication speakers, but if you search the archives you
>>>>>>will find a wealth of information on what people are using. Searching
>>>>>>is easy. Go to the Elecraft web site and you can get to the archives
>>>>>>of this reflector. Microphone: Just about any Kenwood will work. I
>>>>>>use a Heil Pro Set when I am on SSB, but I operate mostly CW and RTTY.
>
> I have a basic K3/100 with the ATU and a 500 Hz Filter. Works great for
> me.
>
> Lee - K0WA
>
>
> Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important.
> I¹m
> really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
> perfect way to do it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> 73,
> Chuck Teeter (KE9CE)
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

John W2XS

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

Let me add that my Kenwood MC-60A mike, leftover from a previous rig (TS-930S), seems to work fine with the K3. John W2XS

"If you already have a microphone of any sort, give that a try before shelling out for another"

George Thornton

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Chuck Teeter KE9CE

I am relatively new to the K3 and I am not a contester. I did want to
give my reactions to the 1.8 filter as a second SSB filter. I have one
and I have been listening through it.

The way the filters work, the K3 does not kick in the filter until you
narrow the bandwidth to that filter's size. So, if you get the 1.8 all
bandwidths between 1.9 and 2.7 or 8 will run off of the standard 2.7 or
2.8 filter, and the 1.8 sits idle.

What I have observed is the narrower the filter the weirder and more
unnatural it sounds in SSB. At 1.8 you have filtered out a substantial
part of the normal SSB signal. What left can be understood but it is
not pleasant or comfortable to the ear. You may find the filter very
helpful for picking out a weak signal under difficult conditions, but
you would not want to use that for very long, and not for casual talk.

I would suspect the 2.1 filter would be more natural sounding and you
might find that more pleasant to use.

There has been some talk of a variable frequency SSB filter. It might
make sense to wait for that to come out and see what people think of it.

Keep in mind that you can't transmit on AM , FM or ESSB unless you have
one or both of the wider filters.

Finally, I think the Xverter/IO module is really worth getting. One of
the fun things to do is to use a computer (or the upcoming P3) for a
spectrum scope. There are a lot of neat things you can do with that,
and you absolutely need the IF out for that to work.

I will finally offer my observation that the K3 is one fine radio and
you will not regret the decision to get one.

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Grant Youngman

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

On Mar 5, 2010, at 3:20 PM, George A. Thornton wrote:

>
> What I have observed is the narrower the filter the weirder and more
> unnatural it sounds in SSB. At 1.8 you have filtered out a substantial
> part of the normal SSB signal. What left can be understood but it is
> not pleasant or comfortable to the ear.

Far less "weird" of course, if you just shift the passband down a bit to restore some of the low end. At 1.8, with the passband shifted, it's tight, but I don't find it necessarily unpleasant.

These filters are "roofing" filters. It's the DSP that is setting receive bandwidth. 1.8Khz receive bandwidth sounds the same whether you have the 1.8, 2.1, 2.8, or or 2.8 roofing filter in the radio. If you normally operate contests with KW stations crammed closely together to the DX you're trying to hear, all shouting CQ TEST at once, the 1.8 roofing filter can be a good thing to have in the radio. If not, you can probably live without it.

Grant/NQ5T
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Ed Muns, W0YK

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by George Thornton

> The way the filters work, the K3 does not kick in the filter
> until you narrow the bandwidth to that filter's size. So, if
> you get the 1.8 all bandwidths between 1.9 and 2.7 or 8 will
> run off of the standard 2.7 or
> 2.8 filter, and the 1.8 sits idle.

The K3 engages each roofing filter at the DSP bandwidth YOU choose to put
into the CONFIG menu. You can have the 1.8 kHz filter engage at 1500 Hz or
2200 Hz or 1800 Hz or whatever you choose.

> What I have observed is the narrower the filter the weirder
> and more unnatural it sounds in SSB. At 1.8 you have
> filtered out a substantial part of the normal SSB signal.
> What left can be understood but it is not pleasant or
> comfortable to the ear. You may find the filter very helpful
> for picking out a weak signal under difficult conditions, but
> you would not want to use that for very long, and not for casual talk.

It is important to understand which part of the audio spectrum to filter out
to retain maximum intelligibility. As you reduce from 2800 Hz to 1800 Hz
bandwidth on SSB, the removed spectrum should come entirely from the high
side. This is easily done by reducing HI CUT and leaving LO CUT alone. Fc
will track automatically and stay in the center between LO CUT and HI CUT.
If you use WIDTH, then you will have to lower Fc via SHIFT by half as much
as you reduced WIDTH in order to retain full intelligibility. This is far
more tedious than simply reducing HI CUT.

> I would suspect the 2.1 filter would be more natural sounding
> and you might find that more pleasant to use.

I've been using exclusively a 1500 Hz SSB bandwidth for over two years now
on the K3. It sounds wonderful and is fully intelligible ... for
communications, contesting, etc. No, it is not for high-fidelity music.

Ed - W0YK
-----------------------------------------------
Ed Muns
Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com
FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard

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Brett Howard

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

I'll agree here... I've got 2 1.5Khz filters in my radio and spend a lot
of time using them and have no problems using them. They pass the
voices quite nicely and are very intelligible. I find that having them
engage at 1.6Khz works best for me. I find I'm usually using 1.6Khz for
my SSB work even in calm condx. I just want to hear the guy and not
really into all the additional noise. I REEEEEAAAALLLY love getting
into QSO's with the ESSB guys when they start saying yea I'm
transmitting at just about 4Khz right now and blah blah blah... I
usually come back with thats great and all but I'm listening to you
through a 1.5K filter. ;)

~Brett

On Fri, 2010-03-05 at 14:17 -0800, Ed Muns wrote:

> > The way the filters work, the K3 does not kick in the filter
> > until you narrow the bandwidth to that filter's size. So, if
> > you get the 1.8 all bandwidths between 1.9 and 2.7 or 8 will
> > run off of the standard 2.7 or
> > 2.8 filter, and the 1.8 sits idle.
>
> The K3 engages each roofing filter at the DSP bandwidth YOU choose to put
> into the CONFIG menu. You can have the 1.8 kHz filter engage at 1500 Hz or
> 2200 Hz or 1800 Hz or whatever you choose.
>
> > What I have observed is the narrower the filter the weirder
> > and more unnatural it sounds in SSB. At 1.8 you have
> > filtered out a substantial part of the normal SSB signal.
> > What left can be understood but it is not pleasant or
> > comfortable to the ear. You may find the filter very helpful
> > for picking out a weak signal under difficult conditions, but
> > you would not want to use that for very long, and not for casual talk.
>
> It is important to understand which part of the audio spectrum to filter out
> to retain maximum intelligibility. As you reduce from 2800 Hz to 1800 Hz
> bandwidth on SSB, the removed spectrum should come entirely from the high
> side. This is easily done by reducing HI CUT and leaving LO CUT alone. Fc
> will track automatically and stay in the center between LO CUT and HI CUT.
> If you use WIDTH, then you will have to lower Fc via SHIFT by half as much
> as you reduced WIDTH in order to retain full intelligibility. This is far
> more tedious than simply reducing HI CUT.
>
> > I would suspect the 2.1 filter would be more natural sounding
> > and you might find that more pleasant to use.
>
> I've been using exclusively a 1500 Hz SSB bandwidth for over two years now
> on the K3. It sounds wonderful and is fully intelligible ... for
> communications, contesting, etc. No, it is not for high-fidelity music.
>
> Ed - W0YK
> -----------------------------------------------
> Ed Muns
> Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com
> FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Chuck Teeter KE9CE

Chuck,

If you are going to get "hot and heavy" into SSB contests, then yes, the
1.8 kHz filter is a good choice. The 1.5 would be even better in really
tight situations.
However, you said you were just returning to ham radio - so it may be
that you just want to 'get your feet wet' in contests at first. If that
is the case, then you may want to defer the decision on the 1.5 or 1.8
kHz filter. The DSP bandwidth control is normally adequate until you
have close in stations with S-9 +40 dB signal strength at the front end
of your K3 - those will create some pumping of the Hardware AGC, and
that is what the more narrow roofing filters will help with. So if you
can tolerate that condition for a while, defer the decision on the 1.8
vs. 1.5 kHz filter until you have simulated their effect with the DSP
Hi-cut and Lo-cut controls to determine if the narrower bandwidth is
agreeable with you - then purchase the roofing filter that you will be
satisfied with 1.5, 1.8 or 2.1. Note that SSB signal tuning gets more
critical as the filter width is reduced.

73,
Don W3FPR

Charles Teeter wrote:

> Hello, All:
>
> I¹ve made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to solicit
> some recommendations from you. I¹ve been out of ham radio for a long time
> and am finally getting back into it. My initial plan is to operate SSB for
> fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
> some of the other operating modes. I don¹t have the budget for a fully
> loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more as
> needed. What I¹m looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU
> and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting. What do you think?
>
> Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply, microphone,
> and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
> included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with any
> of them outside of Yaesu.
>
> Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important. I¹m
> really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
> perfect way to do it.
>
>

Johnny Siu

Re： K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

Hello Chuck,

From my past experience with K3, the stock 2.7Khz was quite good. How about try it first ?

cheers,

Johnny VR2XMC

----- 郵件原件 ----
寄件人﹕ Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
收件人﹕ Charles Teeter <[hidden email]>
副本(CC) [hidden email]
傳送日期﹕ 2010/3/6 (六) 7:48:28 AM
主題： Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

Chuck,

If you are going to get "hot and heavy" into SSB contests, then yes, the
1.8 kHz filter is a good choice. The 1.5 would be even better in really
tight situations.
However, you said you were just returning to ham radio - so it may be
that you just want to 'get your feet wet' in contests at first. If that
is the case, then you may want to defer the decision on the 1.5 or 1.8
kHz filter. The DSP bandwidth control is normally adequate until you
have close in stations with S-9 +40 dB signal strength at the front end
of your K3 - those will create some pumping of the Hardware AGC, and
that is what the more narrow roofing filters will help with. So if you
can tolerate that condition for a while, defer the decision on the 1.8
vs. 1.5 kHz filter until you have simulated their effect with the DSP
Hi-cut and Lo-cut controls to determine if the narrower bandwidth is
agreeable with you - then purchase the roofing filter that you will be
satisfied with 1.5, 1.8 or 2.1. Note that SSB signal tuning gets more
critical as the filter width is reduced.

73,
Don W3FPR

Charles Teeter wrote:

> Hello, All:
>
> I靶e made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to solicit
> some recommendations from you. I靶e been out of ham radio for a long time
> and am finally getting back into it. My initial plan is to operate SSB for
> fun and contests. Over time, I hope to get back to CW and possibly look at
> some of the other operating modes. I don靖 have the budget for a fully
> loaded K3, but given the nature of the radio, I thought I could add more as
> needed. What I雋 looking at right now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU
> and possibly the 1.8KHz filter for contesting. What do you think?
>
> Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply, microphone,
> and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of the former items
> included as part of the matched set, so I have no direct experience with any
> of them outside of Yaesu.
>
> Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are important. I雋
> really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3 looks like the
> perfect way to do it.
>
>

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Dave Hachadorian

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by George Thornton

Comments interspersed

--------------------------------------------------
From: "George A. Thornton" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 2:20 PM
To: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

> I am relatively new to the K3 and I am not a contester. I did
> want to
> give my reactions to the 1.8 filter as a second SSB filter. I
> have one
> and I have been listening through it.
>
>
>
> The way the filters work, the K3 does not kick in the filter
> until you
> narrow the bandwidth to that filter's size.
> So, if you get the 1.8 all
> bandwidths between 1.9 and 2.7 or 8 will run off of the
> standard 2.7 or
> 2.8 filter, and the 1.8 sits idle.

Even though you install a 1.8 filter, you can "tell" the K3 in
the config menu whatever you want. I declared my 1.8 to be a 2.1,
so it cuts in at DSP BW = 2.1.

>
>
>
> What I have observed is the narrower the filter the weirder and
> more
> unnatural it sounds in SSB. At 1.8 you have filtered out a
> substantial
> part of the normal SSB signal. What left can be understood but
> it is
> not pleasant or comfortable to the ear. You may find the
> filter very
> helpful for picking out a weak signal under difficult
> conditions, but
> you would not want to use that for very long, and not for
> casual talk.
>

The secret to using the 1.8 is to first normalize the passband,
and then use only HI CUT to reduce the DSP bandwidth from there,
as required. My usual ssb contest dsp setting is FC=1.25, BW=2.1,
using the 1.8 filter. The 1.8 sounds great at that setting. HI
CUT can be reduced even further if required.

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

.

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Johnny Siu

> From my past experience with K3, the stock 2.7Khz was quite
> good. How about try it first ?

Absolutely first rate advice. The "discount" for ordering the
KFL3A-2.8_2.7.sw option is only $15.00. I suspect the 2.7 KHz
filter could be sold for more than that if one were to decide
to install the 2.8 KHz 8-pole filter later. By not making the
filter swap up front, one can get an extra filter (AM, FM, or
CW) instead without increasing the total purchase price.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Johnny Siu
> Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 6:52 PM
> To: [hidden email]; Charles Teeter
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??
>
>
> Hello Chuck,
>
> From my past experience with K3, the stock 2.7Khz was quite
> good. How about try it first ?
>
> cheers,
>
> Johnny VR2XMC
>
>
>
> ----- ???? ----
> ???? Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
> ???? Charles Teeter <[hidden email]>
> ??(CC) [hidden email]
> ????? 2010/3/6 (?) 7:48:28 AM
> ??: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??
>
> Chuck,
>
> If you are going to get "hot and heavy" into SSB contests,
> then yes, the
> 1.8 kHz filter is a good choice. The 1.5 would be even
> better in really
> tight situations.
> However, you said you were just returning to ham radio - so it may be
> that you just want to 'get your feet wet' in contests at
> first. If that
> is the case, then you may want to defer the decision on the
> 1.5 or 1.8
> kHz filter. The DSP bandwidth control is normally adequate until you
> have close in stations with S-9 +40 dB signal strength at the
> front end
> of your K3 - those will create some pumping of the Hardware AGC, and
> that is what the more narrow roofing filters will help with.
> So if you
> can tolerate that condition for a while, defer the decision
> on the 1.8
> vs. 1.5 kHz filter until you have simulated their effect with the DSP
> Hi-cut and Lo-cut controls to determine if the narrower bandwidth is
> agreeable with you - then purchase the roofing filter that
> you will be
> satisfied with 1.5, 1.8 or 2.1. Note that SSB signal tuning
> gets more
> critical as the filter width is reduced.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Charles Teeter wrote:
> > Hello, All:
> >
> > I?e made the decision to buy a K3, but before I do, I would like to
> > solicit some recommendations from you. I?e been out of ham
> radio for
> > a long time and am finally getting back into it. My
> initial plan is
> > to operate SSB for fun and contests. Over time, I hope to
> get back to
> > CW and possibly look at some of the other operating modes. I don?
> > have the budget for a fully loaded K3, but given the nature of the
> > radio, I thought I could add more as needed. What I?
> looking at right
> > now is the basic 100 watt K3 with the ATU and possibly the 1.8KHz
> > filter for contesting. What do you think?
> >
> > Also, I would like to ask for your suggestions for power supply,
> > microphone, and speaker. My last rig was a Yaesu FT980 with all of
> > the former items included as part of the matched set, so I have no
> > direct experience with any of them outside of Yaesu.
> >
> > Please feel free to make any other suggestions you think are
> > important. I?
> > really looking forward to get back into radio, and the K3
> looks like the
> > perfect way to do it.
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

AD4C2009

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by George Thornton

My K3 is 15 months old,when I order it I wanted them to install the 2.1 Khz roofer for narrower BW to be used on dxing and contesting but with time I realized then that even been a more pleasent audio it was useless to reject QRM from stations at 2Khz or less close to my working freq so I decided to sell it and instead I purchased the INRAD 8 poles filter for 1.8Khz BW and now even the quality is not so pleasent but still understandable,I can easily reject anything that be very close to my freq,its a MUST to have the 1.8Khz,what I do when its engaged is to move the SHIFT to 1.0 and doing it the audio clarity is almost perfect and not so tiring to my ears.So I strongly recomend to install the 1.8Khz instead of the 2.1 that for me was useless.

AD4C

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

--- On Fri, 3/5/10, George A. Thornton <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: George A. Thornton <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Purchase Recommendations??
To: [hidden email]
Date: Friday, March 5, 2010, 9:20 PM

I am relatively new to the K3 and I am not a contester. I did want to
give my reactions to the 1.8 filter as a second SSB filter. I have one
and I have been listening through it.

The way the filters work, the K3 does not kick in the filter until you
narrow the bandwidth to that filter's size. So, if you get the 1.8 all
bandwidths between 1.9 and 2.7 or 8 will run off of the standard 2.7 or
2.8 filter, and the 1.8 sits idle.

What I have observed is the narrower the filter the weirder and more
unnatural it sounds in SSB. At 1.8 you have filtered out a substantial
part of the normal SSB signal. What left can be understood but it is
not pleasant or comfortable to the ear. You may find the filter very
helpful for picking out a weak signal under difficult conditions, but
you would not want to use that for very long, and not for casual talk.

I would suspect the 2.1 filter would be more natural sounding and you
might find that more pleasant to use.

There has been some talk of a variable frequency SSB filter. It might
make sense to wait for that to come out and see what people think of it.

Keep in mind that you can't transmit on AM , FM or ESSB unless you have
one or both of the wider filters.

Finally, I think the Xverter/IO module is really worth getting. One of
the fun things to do is to use a computer (or the upcoming P3) for a
spectrum scope. There are a lot of neat things you can do with that,
and you absolutely need the IF out for that to work.

I will finally offer my observation that the K3 is one fine radio and
you will not regret the decision to get one.

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Helmut Berka - DL2MAJ

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Chuck Teeter KE9CE

Dear Charles,

One additional module wasn't mentioned before : the DVR.

In case of contesting the Digital Voice Recorder is a must !

And, if you don't have equivalent equipment, the Heil Headset is highly
recommended.

vy 73 de

Helmut - DL2MAJ
-----

Charles Teeter schrieb:

Manuel Maseda

For Sale: K144XV-K

In reply to this post by k0wa@swbell.net

I just received my K144XV-K 2 meter transverter for the K3/100 but decided
not to install it. Includes the KXV3A Xverter I/O. I'll ship this to any
US address Priority Mail for $370. US addresses only. PayPal accepted

Manuel W4SSB

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Manuel Maseda

Re: For Sale: K144XV-K - SOLD

SOLD

Thanks,

Manuel W4SSB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Manuel Maseda
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 9:11 AM
To: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: [Elecraft] For Sale: K144XV-K

I just received my K144XV-K 2 meter transverter for the K3/100 but decided
not to install it. Includes the KXV3A Xverter I/O. I'll ship this to any
US address Priority Mail for $370. US addresses only. PayPal accepted

Manuel W4SSB

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Bob Naumann W5OV

Re: For Sale: K144XV-K - SOLD

In case there is someone else who wanted to get this deal, I will offer mine
at the same price.

I have decided that I am not going to be able to install VHF antennas at
this QTH, so I will not be able to use it for quite some time.

Please reply direct to w5ov at w5ov dot com

73,

Bob W5OV

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Manuel Maseda
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 10:19 AM
To: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] For Sale: K144XV-K - SOLD

SOLD

Thanks,

Manuel W4SSB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Manuel Maseda
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 9:11 AM
To: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: [Elecraft] For Sale: K144XV-K

I just received my K144XV-K 2 meter transverter for the K3/100 but decided
not to install it. Includes the KXV3A Xverter I/O. I'll ship this to any
US address Priority Mail for $370. US addresses only. PayPal accepted

Manuel W4SSB

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4Z5TO

Re: K3 - Purchase Recommendations??

In reply to this post by Chuck Teeter KE9CE

I'll throw an opinion in on the power supply issue...

I'm using a GAMMA HPS-1a and a Astron SS-25 with the K3, though not simultaneously.
I bought the HPS-1a to go with the K3, it's a great unit, though you need to be aware of its limitations.

I was just recently given the SS-25 and it is working great.

I run a max of 100W - no amplifier. The PSs are right next to the K3 and I don't have any noise coming into the K3 from either of them.

For me, they are perfect for my needs. Price was right too.

I've got some pictures up showing the K3 with the two PSs. Dig around and you'll find them.

http://www.iarc.org/~4z5to/