K3: "plug" for DVR

[K1LI]

I used my K3 as J7Y in the recent ARRL DX SSB contest. Since I've seen some
discussion of the merits of the DVR in the age of PC-recorded audio, I
wanted to drop a line here about my experience. I use an extremely
comfortable headset with an electret mic that needs bias from the K3, so I
can't run the mic directly through the PC without outboard circuitry. Your
configuration may dictate different preferences.

As a DX station, the most obvious instance to prefer the DVR over
PC-generated audio is on 40m, where one picks a CQ frequency below the US
phone band allocation and listens up. The need to frequently change
listening frequency and (less often) CQ frequency was easily accommodated
with the DVR. I would have to have recorded new messages on the PC to
achieve the same function, which was not possible with my configuration. I
used the same F-keys and macro calls at all times. I followed the same
practice, but to a much more limited extent, on 80m - where I was
"requested" mid-contest to listen in the General-class portion of the band.
Note that some W/VE stations were transmitting "high" in the 80- and
40-meter phone bands and listening down, so this practice is not restricted
to DX stations.

Since I was running the K3 barefoot, I found myself also changing the
outgoing CQ message to adapt to changing band conditions, particularly on
the low bands. Slower and slightly longer CQs were used when propagation was
weaker and the rate was lower. I would also repeat my recorded exchange
information during these times to cut down on the receiving stations' needs
for  "fills." Completely the opposite during high-rate periods on 20, 15 and
(incredibly) 10 meters.

Again, this is just one ham's experience. There may be a host of different
ways to accomplish the same thing, but I found the DVR to be a very useful
addition to the contesting arsenal.

--
73 -- Brian -- K1LI
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[N2TK]

Brian, I second that about the DVR. I take down one of my K3's to KP2M. With
the DVR I do not need to mess with hooking up audio cables and setting
levels and worry about hum, etc. I use the N1MM F keys for the 4 memory
positions.

With the DVR your voice sounds the same as using the mike. Some stations
that use external audio recording have a different sound between their
"real" voice and the recording.

If there was one wish it would be that the monitor level adjust was
independent between the playback on the DVR from the mike. I tent to run the
monitor a little high when using the mike. This helps to keep me from
yelling into the mike. If I could adjust the DVR monitor separately I could
run it at a lower level to give my ears a break.

Just installed a DVR in the second K3.

73,
N2TK, Tony
#311
#1435

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Brian Machesney
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 12:30 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K3: "plug" for DVR

I used my K3 as J7Y in the recent ARRL DX SSB contest. Since I've seen some
discussion of the merits of the DVR in the age of PC-recorded audio, I
wanted to drop a line here about my experience. I use an extremely
comfortable headset with an electret mic that needs bias from the K3, so I
can't run the mic directly through the PC without outboard circuitry. Your
configuration may dictate different preferences.

As a DX station, the most obvious instance to prefer the DVR over
PC-generated audio is on 40m, where one picks a CQ frequency below the US
phone band allocation and listens up. The need to frequently change
listening frequency and (less often) CQ frequency was easily accommodated
with the DVR. I would have to have recorded new messages on the PC to
achieve the same function, which was not possible with my configuration. I
used the same F-keys and macro calls at all times. I followed the same
practice, but to a much more limited extent, on 80m - where I was
"requested" mid-contest to listen in the General-class portion of the band.
Note that some W/VE stations were transmitting "high" in the 80- and
40-meter phone bands and listening down, so this practice is not restricted
to DX stations.

Since I was running the K3 barefoot, I found myself also changing the
outgoing CQ message to adapt to changing band conditions, particularly on
the low bands. Slower and slightly longer CQs were used when propagation was
weaker and the rate was lower. I would also repeat my recorded exchange
information during these times to cut down on the receiving stations' needs
for  "fills." Completely the opposite during high-rate periods on 20, 15 and
(incredibly) 10 meters.

Again, this is just one ham's experience. There may be a host of different
ways to accomplish the same thing, but I found the DVR to be a very useful
addition to the contesting arsenal.

--
73 -- Brian -- K1LI
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[K1LI]

Tony,

I second your desire to have separate monitor levels for the DVR and the mic
and for exactly the same reason. Perhaps the Elecraft gang will put it on
"our" wish list.

Brian K1LI

On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 1:02 PM, N2TK, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If there was one wish it would be that the monitor level adjust was
> independent between the playback on the DVR from the mike. I tent to run
> the
> monitor a little high when using the mike. This helps to keep me from
> yelling into the mike. If I could adjust the DVR monitor separately I could
> run it at a lower level to give my ears a break.
>
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[David Pratt]

In a recent message, Brian Machesney <[hidden email]> writes
>I second your desire to have separate monitor levels for the DVR and the mic
>and for exactly the same reason. Perhaps the Elecraft gang will put it on
>"our" wish list.

We are told that this feature is already on the wish list, Tony & Brian,
and has been for many months.  Hopefully we shall see this appear in the
next software upgrade.

73
--
David G4DMP
Leeds, England, UK



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[N2TK]

Tnx David.

73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: David Pratt [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 5:08 PM
To: Brian Machesney
Cc: N2TK, Tony; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: "plug" for DVR

In a recent message, Brian Machesney <[hidden email]> writes
>I second your desire to have separate monitor levels for the DVR and the
mic
>and for exactly the same reason. Perhaps the Elecraft gang will put it on
>"our" wish list.

We are told that this feature is already on the wish list, Tony & Brian,
and has been for many months.  Hopefully we shall see this appear in the
next software upgrade.

73
--
David G4DMP
Leeds, England, UK



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