K3 performance - soft keying and linear key output

[Dave, G4AON]

I've just done some measurements with my K3... CW waveform rise and fall
times are both 5 mS (and doesn't alter when the speed is changed with
the internal keyer), which some would consider a bit soft - although my
measured bandwidth for 20 wpm keying at 100 Watts of RF is +/- 500 Hz at
70 dB below peak output, which is probably as clean as it gets. The time
delay between the linear keying line going low and RF appearing from the
antenna socket is 10 mS.

73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80
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[Bill W4ZV]

<quote author="Dave G4AON">

I've just done some measurements with my K3... CW waveform rise and fall
times are both 5 mS (and doesn't alter when the speed is changed with
the internal keyer), which some would consider a bit soft - although my
measured bandwidth for 20 wpm keying at 100 Watts of RF is +/- 500 Hz at
70 dB below peak output, which is probably as clean as it gets.

        Elecraft has chosen not to allow users to adjust Rise/Fall times although
I suspect they remain open to input on the issue.  This is not necessarily
a bad thing!  The IC-7800, Orion and FT-2000 all allow adjustment, but
they ALL set default times that are guaranteed to generate key clicks.

        The problem seems to be that the stated Rise/Fall times in their
menus are actually about twice actual.  Thus setting 5 ms in will generate
measured Rise/Fall times of ~3 ms and hence key clicks.  To tame Orion
you must set 7-8 ms which generates an actual waveform with Rise/Fall
in the area of 4 ms.

        Kudos to Elecraft for NOT shipping the K3 in a default state that is
guaranteed to cause key clicks!

                                                     73,  Bill  W4ZV