K3 in CQ WPX CW
Locked
 
|
Finally got to really put my K3 to the test this
weekend... I'll start with the "negatives" first, please understand that these may be strictly due to operator ignorance: The AGC slow, fast or off as set from the factory did not handle MONSTER signals well. I was literally blown out of the chair several times even with the RF gain turned down and ATT in. These signals were pegging the S meter. Of course, the positive thing is that was how good some of the openings were. The RIT was not as easy to use as on the K2. I was used to setting the RIT and just turning it on and off when needed with the K2. The RIT seems to reset to 0 when switched out. I didn't need it much, but there were a few times it would have helped. With the ATU, I had to manually bypass or switch it in with band changes. Is it possible to have the rig remember when it should be in and when it should be bypassed? If anyone has suggestions or wishes to point out the obvious, I'm all ears ;o) The positive: I have never been able to pull out small signals close to the big guys as I am with the K3. It was really impressive how I could basically isolate these folks. Keying via the serial line is a dream. I even run the communications at 38400 without any issue. I really like being able to vary BW with a knob, sweet! The Rx is hot. The K2 is a great receiver, the K3 tops it. I'm amazed at just how quiet and cool the KPA3 is compared to the KPA100. I noticed the right side was a little warmer along with the top when running, but very cool rig. The rear connectors are definitely nice. It was great to just have a "clean" front panel. I can't wait for a serious Top Band contest ;o) Still learning the radio and definitely feeling much better about it. I had some rough patches early on with some doubts, but all were due to inexperience with the radio. 73, Julius Julius Fazekas N2WN Tennessee Contest Group TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2/100 #3311 Elecraft K2/100 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Julius Fazekas
N2WN Tennessee Contest Group http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html Tennessee QSO Party http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 Elecraft K3/100 |
|
This "issue" is posted to the reflector at least once per week, and now twice in the same day. The AGC adjustment is in the manual and it's mentioned often on the reflector, but evidently the info isn't getting across. The answer is to turn up your AGC SLP config setting. I suggest you use the maximum value. I think Elecraft needs to change the default AGC SLP value to the maximum (minimum slope). 73, Barry N1EU |
|
|
Barry,
Thanks for making this known again to contesters and users on the list. I think that there are so many "adjustments" some operators (read that .... this operator) gets overwhelmed with all the options. It would be great if some of the more experienced contests and receiver "devotees" would write the "book" on how to set up the K3 for contest operation. Like one of the "nifty manuals." I will look at the SLP menu setting again. I did have that issue too where some N1 station would pin the S-Meter and the AGC just did not handle it. Did I say N1 station? HMMMM.. 73 Lee K0WA In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine? _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by Julius Fazekas n2wn
> The AGC slow, fast or off as set from the factory did
> not handle MONSTER signals well... Try CONFIG:AGC SLP and set it higher than the default of 10. 12 seems to work pretty well for realy strong signals, and 15 will virtually flatten the response curve. > The RIT was not as easy to use as on the K2. I was > used to setting the RIT and just turning it on and off > when needed with the K2. The RIT seems to reset to 0... It works as expected here (RIT is remembered if I tap RIT to toggle it on and off), but it does reset to zero if I change bands. Glad you had fun in the contest and the K3 worked well for you, Julius. 73, Lyle KK7P _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
Sometimes I don't want a flat response curve. The higher slope values tend to compress signals together and makes it difficult to separate them in a pileup on the basis of strength as experienced as audio. Sometimes it helps if stronger signals sound louder.
I would like to see a way to store different AGC setups so I can recall them at the tap of a button when the particular demands of contest conditions change (maybe using the "message" buttons). Or is this already a K3 capability?
|
«
Return to Elecraft
|
1 view|%1 views
| Free forum by Nabble | Edit this page |