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K3 : SSB modulation

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ussv dharma

need advice on rig

Aloha:
I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb.

I think I want to get rid of it.

Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase?

Susan

If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA

--- On Fri, 8/20/10, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Friday, August 20, 2010, 8:49 AM
>
> > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or
> other audio rack
> > gear?
>
> Why bother? The K3 already provides all of the
> capability of the
> W2IHY 8 band EQ/noise gate, adds downward expansion in the
> noise
> gate and there is no issue with external hum loops, RF
> pick-up, etc.
>
> > I'm still waiting for my K3 to get back from the
> factory, but I plan
> > on running the full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil
> GM-5 Mic.
>
> I've used wide range (broadcast style) mics and the Heil
> HC-5 element
> with the K3's internal EQ and find that configuring the K3
> for a 6 dB
> per octave roll off below 400 Hz (50 Hz: -16dB, 100 Hz:
> -12dB, 200 Hz:
> -6 dB), a -6dB "notch" at 800 Hz and 6 dB per octave rise
> above 1000 Hz
> (1600 Hz: +6dB, 2400 Hz: +10dB, 3200 Hz: +12dB) yields
> extremely good
> audio reports with the "broadcast" mic and a lot of
> "presence" without
> the "restricted" sound on the HC-5.
>
> Coupled with "CMP" at 25, this provides plenty of "punch"
> without
> sounding over processed and "all highs" like the HC-4.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 8/20/2010 11:54 AM, Tim Tucker wrote:
> > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or
> other audio rack gear? If
> > so, I'm curious as to the settings you ended up with
> on the rig. I'm still
> > waiting for my K3 to get back from the factory, but I
> plan on running the
> > full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil GM-5 Mic. I
> imagine I will probably
> > end up with the comp and EQ on the rig turned off, but
> I'd like to hear what
> > others do.
> >
> > Tim
> > AE6LX
> >
> > On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 7:57 AM, Philippe
> Trottet<[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi James,
> >> I'm using MH2 also for Field day opertions and
> almost same as you, set
> >> MIC=2& COMP=20 TX equalizer has
> been adjust to my loud voice given
> >> preferential to medium high
> audio. Great
> >> 73's
> >> Philippe A65BI
> >> K3#3616
> >>
> >>>>> <[hidden email]>
> 20-08-2010 18:54>>>
> >> Who uses the Elecraft hand mic? I do and mic gain
> has to be set low; i.e.
> >> around 8 or 9 to prevent clipping and flat
> topping as viewed on a monitor
> >> scope. This is with mic sensitivity set to
> low in the menu. I was once
> >> told that the hand mics are a tad hot, but mine
> seems to be excessively so.
> >>
> >> Regardless, my comp is set to 15 or 20 and I get
> excellent audio reports.
> >>
> >> James K2QI
> >> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Stephen Prior<[hidden email]>
> >> Sender: [hidden email]
> >> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:21:00
> >> To: elecraft<[hidden email]>
> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation
> >>
> >> I use the Heil MD2 microphone which has an
> electret element. I have both
> >> compression and mic gain set to 25, and mic set to
> front panel low with
> >> bias.
> >>
> >> I have far more 'talk power' than I have enjoyed
> with any previous radio.
> >>
> >> 73 Stephen G4SJP
> >>
> >>
> >> On 20/08/2010 04:24, "Joseph Trombino, Jr"<[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>> Hi
> >>>>
> >>>> We are the proud owners of 6 K3/100 used
> at the FY5KE contest station.
> >>>> These radios has been delivered around
> mid-2008 and their serial numbers
> >>>> are in the 012xx range.
> >>>>
> >>>> After using mostly these rigs for SSB
> contesting in FY5KE or in other
> >>>> places, we are still facing a lack of
> "dynamics", "punch",
> >>>> "penetration", "power", whatever you call
> it. In other words, when
> >>>> comparing this rig to our radios we
> previously used (TS-850), with the
> >>>> same microphone (Heil HC-4 element) and
> the same output RF power, the K3
> >>>> is clearly way behind in term of "average
> power" we can read on the Bird
> >>>> wattmeter wired on its RF output. Even if
> observing the wattmeter needle
> >>>> is not a very scientific measurement (we
> admit it), various comparative
> >>>> reports on the air do confirm our
> feeling.
> >>>>
> >>>> We spent time on various available
> settings (mic gain, compressor level,
> >>>> etc), with no luck, excepted a very
> distorted and awful audio to roughly
> >>>> reach the same level, which is not
> acceptable.
> >>>>
> >>>> After a little Googling, it appears that
> other contesters suffers the
> >>>> same issue (e.g.
> www.bavarian-contest-club.de/projects/K3_english.pdf
> >>>> pages 6 and 10).
> >>>>
> >>>> Some questions :
> >>>>
> >>>> - Do other contesters (or not) here have
> noted the same problem ?
> >>>> - What settings did you modified (or not)
> to achieve a good result ?
> >>>> - Is there any possible HW or SW upgrade
> we aren't aware of, that could
> >>>> help us ?
> >>>>
> >>>> We must confess we are currently preparing
> our next contest season, and
> >>>> we are seriously considering reselling
> these radios and bring others
> >>>> Japanese models if we can't solve this
> problem, despite we really
> >>>> appreciate them in many other aspects
> (size, weight, etc.).
> >>>>
> >>>> 73
> >>>>
> >>>> For the FY5KE/Win-Test team,
> >>>>
> >>>> Larry - F6FVY
> >>>
> >>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> >>> 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
> >>
> ______________________________________________________________
> >> 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
> >>
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
>

______________________________________________________________
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ka9zap

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or other audio rack gear?

I use my w2ihy box for two reasons
1) I think the noise gate is better than the K3's built in gate.
2) Because I already had it & I can have two radios connected to my ATR 30

I find no reason to ever purchase another Heil mic, I did a A/B test
with the Gold Line Pro and
found no difference but the price.
Settings will be different from mine as your voice and mic will be
different so do a lot of
experimenting with some one that knows your voice on a quite band.

I would play with the built in TX /RX eq in the K3 first how ever it
just might fit and feel right
saving you some bucks.

Regards
Art
ka9zap

______________________________________________________________
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Dave Hachadorian

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

I am amazed at how good the K3 sounds with a cheap electret
computer mic.

Here's the one I'm using:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826193029&cm_re=headset-_-26-193-029-_-Product

Other el cheapo computer mics sound great too.

My settings:
RPL, bias
mic 30
cmp 22
tx eq -16, -16, -16, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

The above is optimized for ragchewing. For contests, just tweak
the fourth eq band down a few dB.

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Big Bear Lake, CA

.

______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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kk5na

Re: need advice on rig

In reply to this post by ussv dharma

Hi Susan,

I love my K3 and it may be worth you trying a little longer to get used
too.

And if I were going to step down in quality.... to me the next best rig
is the Elecraft K2...not as complicated but a great CW rig.

Joe KK5NA

------------------------
On Fri, 2010-08-20 at 12:04 -0700, ussv dharma wrote:

> Aloha:
> I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb.
>
> I think I want to get rid of it.
>
> Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase?
>
> Susan
>
> If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA
>
>
> --- On Fri, 8/20/10, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > From: Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]>
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Date: Friday, August 20, 2010, 8:49 AM
> >
> > > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or
> > other audio rack
> > > gear?
> >
> > Why bother? The K3 already provides all of the
> > capability of the
> > W2IHY 8 band EQ/noise gate, adds downward expansion in the
> > noise
> > gate and there is no issue with external hum loops, RF
> > pick-up, etc.
> >
> > > I'm still waiting for my K3 to get back from the
> > factory, but I plan
> > > on running the full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil
> > GM-5 Mic.
> >
> > I've used wide range (broadcast style) mics and the Heil
> > HC-5 element
> > with the K3's internal EQ and find that configuring the K3
> > for a 6 dB
> > per octave roll off below 400 Hz (50 Hz: -16dB, 100 Hz:
> > -12dB, 200 Hz:
> > -6 dB), a -6dB "notch" at 800 Hz and 6 dB per octave rise
> > above 1000 Hz
> > (1600 Hz: +6dB, 2400 Hz: +10dB, 3200 Hz: +12dB) yields
> > extremely good
> > audio reports with the "broadcast" mic and a lot of
> > "presence" without
> > the "restricted" sound on the HC-5.
> >
> > Coupled with "CMP" at 25, this provides plenty of "punch"
> > without
> > sounding over processed and "all highs" like the HC-4.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > ... Joe, W4TV
> >
> >
> > On 8/20/2010 11:54 AM, Tim Tucker wrote:
> > > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or
> > other audio rack gear? If
> > > so, I'm curious as to the settings you ended up with
> > on the rig. I'm still
> > > waiting for my K3 to get back from the factory, but I
> > plan on running the
> > > full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil GM-5 Mic. I
> > imagine I will probably
> > > end up with the comp and EQ on the rig turned off, but
> > I'd like to hear what
> > > others do.
> > >
> > > Tim
> > > AE6LX
> > >
> > > On Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 7:57 AM, Philippe
> > Trottet<[hidden email]>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hi James,
> > >> I'm using MH2 also for Field day opertions and
> > almost same as you, set
> > >> MIC=2& COMP=20 TX equalizer has
> > been adjust to my loud voice given
> > >> preferential to medium high
> > audio. Great
> > >> 73's
> > >> Philippe A65BI
> > >> K3#3616
> > >>
> > >>>>> <[hidden email]>
> > 20-08-2010 18:54>>>
> > >> Who uses the Elecraft hand mic? I do and mic gain
> > has to be set low; i.e.
> > >> around 8 or 9 to prevent clipping and flat
> > topping as viewed on a monitor
> > >> scope. This is with mic sensitivity set to
> > low in the menu. I was once
> > >> told that the hand mics are a tad hot, but mine
> > seems to be excessively so.
> > >>
> > >> Regardless, my comp is set to 15 or 20 and I get
> > excellent audio reports.
> > >>
> > >> James K2QI
> > >> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
> > >>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: Stephen Prior<[hidden email]>
> > >> Sender: [hidden email]
> > >> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 10:21:00
> > >> To: elecraft<[hidden email]>
> > >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation
> > >>
> > >> I use the Heil MD2 microphone which has an
> > electret element. I have both
> > >> compression and mic gain set to 25, and mic set to
> > front panel low with
> > >> bias.
> > >>
> > >> I have far more 'talk power' than I have enjoyed
> > with any previous radio.
> > >>
> > >> 73 Stephen G4SJP
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On 20/08/2010 04:24, "Joseph Trombino, Jr"<[hidden email]>
> > wrote:
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>>> Hi
> > >>>>
> > >>>> We are the proud owners of 6 K3/100 used
> > at the FY5KE contest station.
> > >>>> These radios has been delivered around
> > mid-2008 and their serial numbers
> > >>>> are in the 012xx range.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> After using mostly these rigs for SSB
> > contesting in FY5KE or in other
> > >>>> places, we are still facing a lack of
> > "dynamics", "punch",
> > >>>> "penetration", "power", whatever you call
> > it. In other words, when
> > >>>> comparing this rig to our radios we
> > previously used (TS-850), with the
> > >>>> same microphone (Heil HC-4 element) and
> > the same output RF power, the K3
> > >>>> is clearly way behind in term of "average
> > power" we can read on the Bird
> > >>>> wattmeter wired on its RF output. Even if
> > observing the wattmeter needle
> > >>>> is not a very scientific measurement (we
> > admit it), various comparative
> > >>>> reports on the air do confirm our
> > feeling.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> We spent time on various available
> > settings (mic gain, compressor level,
> > >>>> etc), with no luck, excepted a very
> > distorted and awful audio to roughly
> > >>>> reach the same level, which is not
> > acceptable.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> After a little Googling, it appears that
> > other contesters suffers the
> > >>>> same issue (e.g.
> > www.bavarian-contest-club.de/projects/K3_english.pdf
> > >>>> pages 6 and 10).
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Some questions :
> > >>>>
> > >>>> - Do other contesters (or not) here have
> > noted the same problem ?
> > >>>> - What settings did you modified (or not)
> > to achieve a good result ?
> > >>>> - Is there any possible HW or SW upgrade
> > we aren't aware of, that could
> > >>>> help us ?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> We must confess we are currently preparing
> > our next contest season, and
> > >>>> we are seriously considering reselling
> > these radios and bring others
> > >>>> Japanese models if we can't solve this
> > problem, despite we really
> > >>>> appreciate them in many other aspects
> > (size, weight, etc.).
> > >>>>
> > >>>> 73
> > >>>>
> > >>>> For the FY5KE/Win-Test team,
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Larry - F6FVY
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > >>> 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
> > >>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > >> 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
> > >>
> > >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > > 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
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

The Smiths

Re: need advice on rig

In reply to this post by ussv dharma

Susan,

I think that the days of having background noise from SSB to CW sound exactly the same are over. They went out the door with DSP, how it processes a signal, and what it ends up doing with it to improve the quality of reception.

I can only assume what you are trying to say is that you can't get the filters to filter the same, and the noise floor has a different ambiance to it from one mode to the next. Not that one is louder than the other, because if that's the case, then what you really need is someone to show you how to properly use the Width, Shift ( Hi, Lo) and Notch tools along with the NR and NB all in conjunction to do what you're looking to do.

The rig really isn't all the hard to use. 99% of what you're going to do is on the front of the rig. Yes, you have to set the menus up ONE time, after that it's pretty much set it and forget it.
Changing to another rig is just going to yield you the same thing, but with a whole new set of menus and controls to learn. Sounds to me like you may be better going back to an older rig like the FT1000MP. That would pretty much achieve what you're after, and cost you half of what you paid for the K3.

> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:04:05 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] need advice on rig
>
> Aloha:
> I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb.
>
> I think I want to get rid of it.
>
> Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase?
>
> Susan
>
> If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA
>
>

AC7AC

Re: need advice on rig

In reply to this post by ussv dharma

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

ka9zap

Re: need advice on rig

Hi Susan

I would also suggest playing with the RX eq I have serial # 3142 before
the DSP change and found
that for my taste I liked the RX better if I pulled down the top two
bands (#7) 2.4 kHz and
(#8) 3.2 kHz to -5 this takes some of the high end shisssh hiss off
receiver.
With a couple of (one time) menu changes you might find things better
suited for you listening
pleasure.

If you rig is a later one the DSP board could be the latest one that
will be better on your ears but if
its the earlier one then I think pulling down top two bands on the RX eq
just might help you find the
feel / sound your looking for.

If you have K3ez utility loaded on your computer its easy to set the RX
eq, if not use the [MENU]
tap to get to the main menu settings Page 52 on my manual revision D4.
Rotate the sub VFO B until you see RX EQ then press number the # key you
want to change with the
VFO A knob setting the new value.
I have both 3.2 & 2.4 pulled down to -5 ...

Hope this makes sense and is something you can try Susan

Here is my subjective opinion I have had for the past 3 years plus a
FT2000 DMU U-tuning kit
40/80 station, along came the K3 the born on date June 13 09 since
having the K3 on
the air and doing a lot of A/B testing on RX the only thing I found to
complain about with the K3
was the (thin) receive audio doing mostly cw this did not make that much
difference to me. I did
the RX eq adjustment and have only transmitted on the FT2k 4 times all
total now since the (Born
On Date) of the K3 there simply is no comparison in performance when
push comes to shove
between these two radios.
Size was going to be an issue before I got my K3 running was my
(preconceived opinion) but when
I started to play with the K3 size became a (no issue) right off.
After the first 6 months of A/B receive testing I hardly ever turn on my
twice broke Yaesu on it's
a back up I don't think I will need anytime soon.

The only thing I miss is not having a triple band stacking register like
the other radios in this class,
size and wait are a trade off and not a bad one at that.
This radio keeps evolving which is a very big plus no need to sell at
half price to get the next
offering like the big 2 seem to have there customers doing every 2 1/2
years or so.

Try setting you RX eq and see if this will help you find the sound your
looking for.

88
Regards
Art
ka9zap

> -----Original Message-----
> rig
>
> Aloha:
> I have had my K3 since last October. I think I have given it a fair
> trail. It is just too darned complicated for me. I have never been able to
> get it to give the same background noise for cw as it gives for ssb.
>
> I think I want to get rid of it.
>
> Can anyone advise me of a rig, same price range, for me to purchase?
>
> Susan
>
> If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're
> headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM
> USSV DHARMA
>
>
> se help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
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AC7AC

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

In reply to this post by Dave Hachadorian

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

In reply to this post by Dave Hachadorian

On Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:31:35 -0700, Dave Hachadorian wrote:

>Other el cheapo computer mics sound great too.

Yes. Before I left Chicago about 5 years ago, I bought five assorted
Plantronics headsets in different configurations. I suspect they were
someone's free samples. I think I paid a total of $20 for the lot. I
subsequently found them for sale at Fry's for about $30 each.

I made up connector adapters to use them with a all the ham rigs I
then owned (a K2, Omni V, TS850, and IC746) and a computer for VOIP.
The adapters included a resistor from V+ to bias the electret. All of
them sounded good and produced competitive contest audio with all of
the rigs and the computer.

73, Jim Brown K9YC

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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

On Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:49:01 -0400, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> > Are any of you guys driving your K3 with W2IHY or other audio rack
> > gear?

>Why bother? The K3 already provides all of the capability of the
>W2IHY 8 band EQ/noise gate, adds downward expansion in the noise
>gate and there is no issue with external hum loops, RF pick-up, etc.

I completely agree.

> > I'm still waiting for my K3 to get back from the factory, but I plan
> > on running the full stack of W2IHY gear with a Heil GM-5 Mic.

>I've used wide range (broadcast style) mics and the Heil HC-5 element
>with the K3's internal EQ and find that configuring the K3 for a 6 dB
>per octave roll off below 400 Hz (50 Hz: -16dB, 100 Hz: -12dB, 200 Hz:
>-6 dB), a -6dB "notch" at 800 Hz and 6 dB per octave rise above 1000 Hz
>(1600 Hz: +6dB, 2400 Hz: +10dB, 3200 Hz: +12dB) yields extremely good
>audio reports with the "broadcast" mic and a lot of "presence" without
>the "restricted" sound on the HC-5.

>Coupled with "CMP" at 25, this provides plenty of "punch" without
>sounding over processed and "all highs" like the HC-4.

Because I've worked in pro audio for nearly 50 years, I own a bunch of pro
mics. Rather than buy a mic, I've also used pro mics like RE16 and RE20
with the K3 and other ham rigs, and done exactly what Joe has done. They
sound great that way, they get great reports, and they produce competitive
contest and DX audio. I've replaced them with a Yamaha CM500, only because
I could wear the headset and get away from the boom stand that held the
pro mic, it is comfortable, and inexpensive.

I've never owned a Heil mic, but I've heard a lot of them on the air. Most
of them sound varying degrees of bad.

73, Jim Brown K9YC

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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

In reply to this post by Laurent HAAS - F6FVY

On Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:16:38 +0200, Laurent HAAS - F6FVY wrote:

>We spent time on various available settings (mic gain, compressor
level,
>etc), with no luck, excepted a very distorted and awful audio to
roughly
>reach the same level, which is not acceptable.

Hi Guys,

I regularly get reports of having very good sounding, very competitive
contest audio.

My method is VERY simple.

1) I set TXEQ to roll off (reduce the strength of) the three lowest
frequency bands to the lowest setting (-16dB).

2) I set Mic Gain as described in the K3 manual.

3) I set Compression for 10dB on peaks as indicated on the CMP meter.

4) I have another contester with good ears (usually the Locust, K6VVA)
listen to me with his receiver set for wide audio bandwidth (that is, a
wide filter), and tweak TXEQ based on what he tells me. Some mics and
voices may sound better with a LITTLE boost (3-4 dB) in the highest
bands (#7, #8), and some may sound better with some CUT in the 4th band
(to reduce lows).

An important part of contest audio is playback of messages from the
computer. Computer sound cards can produce very nasty, muddy audio with
no punch if they are overdriven (too much mic gain for the recording)
and too much playback level.

When recording messages, make sure that you are not overloading the
sound card or producing digital distortion by setting mic gain too high.
When recording messages, plug headphones into the computer and listen to
the audio you have recorded. Does it sound clean? If not, turn down the
mic gain until it does.

When playing back messages, set the playback gain fairly low, set the K3
Line Input to about 10, and gradually turn up the playback gain of the
computer until ALC and Compression, as indicated on the K3 meters,
matches your live mic.

Hope this helps.

73, Jim Brown K9YC

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Roger Dallimore-2

Re: K3 : SSB modulation

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I've just bought a cheap headset with microphone and it works very well
with my K3 and K2. For those in the UK, I got it from Maplin, order
code KX43W for £9.99.

73
Roger MW0IDX

K3 #191 K2 #2724 KX1 #416

Jim Brown wrote:

> On Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:31:35 -0700, Dave Hachadorian wrote:
>
>
>> Other el cheapo computer mics sound great too.
>>
>
> Yes. Before I left Chicago about 5 years ago, I bought five assorted
> Plantronics headsets in different configurations. I suspect they were
> someone's free samples. I think I paid a total of $20 for the lot. I
> subsequently found them for sale at Fry's for about $30 each.
>
>