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K3S vs. K3

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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3S vs. K3

On Sat,5/16/2015 10:43 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> So, I am wondering — is audio quality and tone the big measure of the performance of a radio.

NO!

> I know that my K3 audio does not sound as deep as my old Icom Pro III audio (I sold the Pro III last year) but my K3 could pick up and hear stations that did not even register with the Pro III. And, I could narrow down and separate out close CW stations with ease on the K3 compared to the jumble on the Pro III. These features and many others are the hallmarks of a superior radio — audio quality to me is down the list past the top dozen other useful features found in the K3.

RIGHT!

73, Jim K9YC
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bs usb

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio quality
standards.

If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at
studio quality prices.

Jim Brown wrote:

> On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
>> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
>> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?
>
> If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would
> have done so.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

On Sat,5/16/2015 2:26 PM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
> So, my testing was entirely subjective.

Perhaps, but it's the wrong test. Elecraft makes communications radios,
where the program material is SPEECH with a bandwidth of about 400 Hz -
3 kHz. The right test would be close miked recordings of speech using an
omni mic.

Then there's the matter of using the K2 as a source, and whatever mic
was used with it. While all the radios are hearing the same signal, the
response of the K2 and the mic used can tilt the "sounds good" decision
to one that compensates for any non-flat response in the K2.

73, Jim K9YC

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Alan Bloom

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by iw1ayd

On 05/16/2015 02:41 AM, iw1ayd - Salvatore Irato wrote:

> Does anybody out there had made a comparison and contextualized paper in
> between the two?
...
> There is already one for each product? (as to make an apple to apple
> comparison)

Actually an Elecraft to Elecraft comparison. :=)

Alan N1AL

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Jim Bolit

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

.

I use a Timewave DSP599ZX to fix the problems I believe exist with the K3
audio.

Put a Kenwood TS-590 next to a K3 in a true blind test. This takes the
emotion out of it.

I did, and I don't like the K3 audio, and I don't own a TS-590 as the other
aspects of the Elecraft Solution is far superior to other offerings on the
market.

Note the word "Solution". It is key to my position.

Jim
W6AIM

.

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jim
Brown
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 3:25 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3

On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?

If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would have
done so.

73, Jim K9YC
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Jim Bolit

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by bs usb

Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.

With the Timewave 599ZX in line with the K3 audio, I get this, but it is
another know to fiddle with.

My K3 is boxed and going back to Elecraft out of warranty to see if they can
"fix" my audio problem. Wayne said they would do a before and after audio
spectrum analysis.

Will post the results from the crew at Elecraft.

Jim
W6AIM

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of bs usb
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:33 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3

Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio quality
standards.

If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at studio
quality prices.

Jim Brown wrote:

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3S vs. K3

On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
> Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.

Both of my K3s are dead silent with the AF Gain at zero (fully CCW)
and have been since day 1. Certainly no hiss with the AF gain all
the way down.

Have you done the RF Gain calibration?

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:

> Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.
>
> With the Timewave 599ZX in line with the K3 audio, I get this, but it is
> another know to fiddle with.
>
> My K3 is boxed and going back to Elecraft out of warranty to see if they can
> "fix" my audio problem. Wayne said they would do a before and after audio
> spectrum analysis.
>
> Will post the results from the crew at Elecraft.
>
> Jim
> W6AIM
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of bs usb
> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:33 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3
>
> Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio quality
> standards.
>
> If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at studio
> quality prices.
>
>
>
> Jim Brown wrote:
>> On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
>>> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
>>> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?
>>
>> If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would
>> have done so.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Jim Sheldon

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Jim Bolit

Same here, no noise whatsoever with the volume control at minimum and that's on both the internal speaker and the powered external speakers (West Mountain Radio CommSpeakers) with the volume control on the external speakers turned up.

Jim, W0EB

Sent from my iPad

> On May 16, 2015, at 7:28 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
> > Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.
>
> Both of my K3s are dead silent with the AF Gain at zero (fully CCW)
> and have been since day 1. Certainly no hiss with the AF gain all
> the way down.
>
> Have you done the RF Gain calibration?
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>> On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
>> Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.
>>
>> With the Timewave 599ZX in line with the K3 audio, I get this, but it is
>> another know to fiddle with.
>>
>> My K3 is boxed and going back to Elecraft out of warranty to see if they can
>> "fix" my audio problem. Wayne said they would do a before and after audio
>> spectrum analysis.
>>
>> Will post the results from the crew at Elecraft.
>>
>> Jim
>> W6AIM
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of bs usb
>> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:33 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3
>>
>> Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio quality
>> standards.
>>
>> If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at studio
>> quality prices.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim Brown wrote:
>>>> On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
>>>> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?
>>>
>>> If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would
>>> have done so.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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> ______________________________________________________________
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Gary Gregory-2

Re: K3S vs. K3

K3 #679 unmodified since birth.

RF gain CCW max. (All the way to the left)

Nyet, zip, nada....silence.

The speaker audio is another issue yet to be addressed later this year with
a trip to hospital to be funded by welfare....:-)

Gary
Vk1ZZ
K3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT
On 17/05/2015 10:39 AM, "Jim Sheldon" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Same here, no noise whatsoever with the volume control at minimum and
> that's on both the internal speaker and the powered external speakers (West
> Mountain Radio CommSpeakers) with the volume control on the external
> speakers turned up.
>
> Jim, W0EB
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On May 16, 2015, at 7:28 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> >
> > On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
> > > Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.
> >
> > Both of my K3s are dead silent with the AF Gain at zero (fully CCW)
> > and have been since day 1. Certainly no hiss with the AF gain all
> > the way down.
> >
> > Have you done the RF Gain calibration?
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > ... Joe, W4TV
> >
> >
> >> On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
> >> Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.
> >>
> >> With the Timewave 599ZX in line with the K3 audio, I get this, but it is
> >> another know to fiddle with.
> >>
> >> My K3 is boxed and going back to Elecraft out of warranty to see if
> they can
> >> "fix" my audio problem. Wayne said they would do a before and after
> audio
> >> spectrum analysis.
> >>
> >> Will post the results from the crew at Elecraft.
> >>
> >> Jim
> >> W6AIM
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
> bs usb
> >> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:33 PM
> >> To: [hidden email]
> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3
> >>
> >> Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio quality
> >> standards.
> >>
> >> If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at
> studio
> >> quality prices.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Jim Brown wrote:
> >>>> On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
> >>>> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
> >>>> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?
> >>>
> >>> If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would
> >>> have done so.
> >>>
> >>> 73, Jim K9YC
> >>> ______________________________________________________________
> >>> 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
> >>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
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> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
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> >>
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Bill-3

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by bs usb

It is a fact that out of the box, many rigs do sound better than the K3
- warmer and richer audio. That was my experience and is also reported
by others. However, these rigs are not equals to the K3 in most other
aspects and have no K-Line of supporting equipment available.

It took me a long time to get the K3 sounding the way I wanted it to -
to suit my needs of armchair copy on 40/75/160 for rag chew. Hiss and
audio response were both a problem, making my K3 less than desirable for
my needs.

I decided to make use of all the various menu
settings/changes/selections afforded by the K3 to get it to produce the
audio I wanted. The Cady book was a help in understanding what the
various settings do and why they do it.

I dogged and dogged the problems and menus. I asked for help and
basically found I was in this by myself - other reflector users said the
K3 sounded wonderful. To me, it did not. My TS480 ran audio rings around
it - right out of the box.

By trial and error - and keeping careful notes - I eventually I found a
combo of settings that work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm
receive audio via a pair of Behringer amplified speakers and is most
pleasing to listen to for hours at a time. Having said all this - I
have to say my K3 has excellent receive audio. I just had to dig to get
to it.

Now, will I get the new synth? I don't know yet. I will first need to
hear what experiences other K3 users are having with it. So far, none
have replied to my question on the matter. However, that really doesn't
matter much, as I am in no hurry.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K3S vs. K3

This "By trial and error - and keeping careful
notes - I eventually I found a combo of settings
that work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm
receive audio via a pair of Behringer amplified
speakers and is most pleasing to listen to for
hours at a time. Having said all this - I have to
say my K3 has excellent receive audio. I just had
to dig to get to it." is interesting, Bill.

Can you share your combo of settings?

Phil W7OX

On 5/16/15 6:20 PM, Bill wrote:

>
> It is a fact that out of the box, many rigs do
> sound better than the K3 - warmer and richer
> audio. That was my experience and is also
> reported by others. However, these rigs are not
> equals to the K3 in most other aspects and have
> no K-Line of supporting equipment available.
>
> It took me a long time to get the K3 sounding
> the way I wanted it to - to suit my needs of
> armchair copy on 40/75/160 for rag chew. Hiss
> and audio response were both a problem, making
> my K3 less than desirable for my needs.
>
> I decided to make use of all the various menu
> settings/changes/selections afforded by the K3
> to get it to produce the audio I wanted. The
> Cady book was a help in understanding what the
> various settings do and why they do it.
>
> I dogged and dogged the problems and menus. I
> asked for help and basically found I was in this
> by myself - other reflector users said the K3
> sounded wonderful. To me, it did not. My TS480
> ran audio rings around it - right out of the box.
>
> By trial and error - and keeping careful notes -
> I eventually I found a combo of settings that
> work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm
> receive audio via a pair of Behringer amplified
> speakers and is most pleasing to listen to for
> hours at a time. Having said all this - I have
> to say my K3 has excellent receive audio. I just
> had to dig to get to it.
>
> Now, will I get the new synth? I don't know yet.
> I will first need to hear what experiences other
> K3 users are having with it. So far, none have
> replied to my question on the matter. However,
> that really doesn't matter much, as I am in no
> hurry.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line

Phil Hystad-3

Re: K3S vs. K3

I admit to not doing a darn’d thing to K3 settings to adjust the audio. Must be exactly the same as they were from the the K3 came from Factory, December 2009.

I think though that others may desire more because they operate primarily SSB where as I am 98 percent CW. Well, maybe 99 percent. And, my only adjustment is choosing the sidetone to be what I prefer. As for audio quality, not sure what I should expect with the bandwidth set down to values below 300 Hz most of the time. When searching for stations, I am about 1000 Hz but as soon as I start a QSO, I narrow it down to something that narrow enough to knock out a lot of QRM and QRN (if it is present).

73, phil, K7PEH

> On May 16, 2015, at 6:47 PM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> This "By trial and error - and keeping careful notes - I eventually I found a combo of settings that work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm receive audio via a pair of Behringer amplified speakers and is most pleasing to listen to for hours at a time. Having said all this - I have to say my K3 has excellent receive audio. I just had to dig to get to it." is interesting, Bill.
>
> Can you share your combo of settings?
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 5/16/15 6:20 PM, Bill wrote:
>>
>> It is a fact that out of the box, many rigs do sound better than the K3 - warmer and richer audio. That was my experience and is also reported by others. However, these rigs are not equals to the K3 in most other aspects and have no K-Line of supporting equipment available.
>>
>> It took me a long time to get the K3 sounding the way I wanted it to - to suit my needs of armchair copy on 40/75/160 for rag chew. Hiss and audio response were both a problem, making my K3 less than desirable for my needs.
>>
>> I decided to make use of all the various menu settings/changes/selections afforded by the K3 to get it to produce the audio I wanted. The Cady book was a help in understanding what the various settings do and why they do it.
>>
>> I dogged and dogged the problems and menus. I asked for help and basically found I was in this by myself - other reflector users said the K3 sounded wonderful. To me, it did not. My TS480 ran audio rings around it - right out of the box.
>>
>> By trial and error - and keeping careful notes - I eventually I found a combo of settings that work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm receive audio via a pair of Behringer amplified speakers and is most pleasing to listen to for hours at a time. Having said all this - I have to say my K3 has excellent receive audio. I just had to dig to get to it.
>>
>> Now, will I get the new synth? I don't know yet. I will first need to hear what experiences other K3 users are having with it. So far, none have replied to my question on the matter. However, that really doesn't matter much, as I am in no hurry.
>>
>> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
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Rick Tavan N6XI

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Bill-3

A former colleague summed it up nicely during a bar conversation about our
stereo systems: "All audio is just a psycho-acoustic trick."

73,

/Rick N6XI

On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 3:20 PM, Bill <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> It took me a long time to get the K3 sounding the way I wanted it to - to
> suit my needs of armchair copy on 40/75/160 for rag chew. Hiss and audio
> response were both a problem, making my K3 less than desirable for my needs.
>
> ...
>
> By trial and error - and keeping careful notes - I eventually I found a
> combo of settings that work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm receive
> audio via a pair of Behringer amplified speakers and is most pleasing to
> listen to for hours at a time. Having said all this - I have to say my K3
> has excellent receive audio. I just had to dig to get to it.
>

--
Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA
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Johnny Siu

Audio setting (was: K3S vs. K3)

In reply to this post by Bill-3

Hello Bill,
I should be grateful if you could share with us your combo audio setting. I must admit that I am one of the naughty boys complaining the audio of K3 - too much artifacts, during voice mode.
Hopefully, the forthcoming new DSP board in K3S (or upgrade to K3) will give more DSP power reservation for future enhancement.
73
Johnny VR2XMC
寄件人︰ Bill <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
傳送日期︰ 2015年05月17日 (週日) 9:20 AM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3

It is a fact that out of the box, many rigs do sound better than the K3
- warmer and richer audio. That was my experience and is also reported
by others. However, these rigs are not equals to the K3 in most other
aspects and have no K-Line of supporting equipment available.

It took me a long time to get the K3 sounding the way I wanted it to -
to suit my needs of armchair copy on 40/75/160 for rag chew. Hiss and
audio response were both a problem, making my K3 less than desirable for
my needs.

I decided to make use of all the various menu
settings/changes/selections afforded by the K3 to get it to produce the
audio I wanted. The Cady book was a help in understanding what the
various settings do and why they do it.

I dogged and dogged the problems and menus. I asked for help and
basically found I was in this by myself - other reflector users said the
K3 sounded wonderful. To me, it did not. My TS480 ran audio rings around
it - right out of the box.

By trial and error - and keeping careful notes - I eventually I found a
combo of settings that work for me. My K3 now provides rich warm
receive audio via a pair of Behringer amplified speakers and is most
pleasing to listen to for hours at a time. Having said all this - I
have to say my K3 has excellent receive audio. I just had to dig to get
to it.

Now, will I get the new synth? I don't know yet. I will first need to
hear what experiences other K3 users are having with it. So far, none
have replied to my question on the matter. However, that really doesn't
matter much, as I am in no hurry.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Bill-3

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

*

*Per request:
*

*Menu settings used at W2BLC for armchair copy on 160/75/40 meters:*

*

The following are the settings I am using on 40, 75, 160 for armchair
copy (meaning very reduced hiss and no ANF warbling). My RX audio goes
through amplified Behringer studio speakers with bass/treble adjustments.

The speaker adjustments: bass at 3 o'clock and the treble at 11 o'clock

K3 settings (Config Menu):
AGC DLY - NORM
AGC HLD - 0
AGC PLS - NORM
AGC SLP - 4 to 6 (low setting reduces artifacts from the Automatic
Notch Filter)
AGC THR - 12
AGC F - 120
AGC S - 20
Shift - 1.25
Width - 2.7
RF Gain - 90 (sometimes less)
ATT - ON
RX EQ 1 -2
2 0
3 +9
4 +12
5 +11
6 +14
7 +7
8 -16

Be sure to read the "Noisy K3" section on http://www.w3fpr.com/ -
excellent information!

The disclaimer: Your mileage for the above settings may vary -
depending upon speaker selection, personal preferences, and your hearing
acuity.

Note: I made all of my settings by hand, using the K3 menus. I did NOT
use K3 EZ as that program will sometimes upset the AGC settings.

Bill W2BLC

**
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3S vs. K3

Be careful ...

With the relatively "gentle" AGC slope (AGC SLP = 4 to 6) and the
high levels of EQ "boost" in the midrange is will be very easy to
overdrive the speaker amplifier in the K3 - even with the AF Gain
low and an auxiliary external amplifier (amplified speakers). A
sudden static crash or other strong pulse could damage the amplifier.

With shift = 1.25 and width = 2.7, the IF/DSP is configured for
a 100 - 2600 Hz response and the RX EQ to provides an additional
audio filter set for roughly 150 - 2800 Hz. You would see similar
results by setting RX EQ to:
1 (50 Hz) -16
2 (100 Hz) -16
3 (200 Hz) - 6
4 (400 Hz) - 2
5 (800 Hz) - 3
6 (1600 Hz) 0
7 (2400 Hz) - 6
8 (3200 Hz) -16
and not stress the K3 audio amplifier nearly as much.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2015-05-17 9:03 AM, Bill wrote:

> *
>
> *Per request:
> *
>
> *Menu settings used at W2BLC for armchair copy on 160/75/40 meters:*
>
> *
>
> The following are the settings I am using on 40, 75, 160 for armchair
> copy (meaning very reduced hiss and no ANF warbling). My RX audio goes
> through amplified Behringer studio speakers with bass/treble adjustments.
>
> The speaker adjustments: bass at 3 o'clock and the treble at 11 o'clock
>
> K3 settings (Config Menu):
> AGC DLY - NORM
> AGC HLD - 0
> AGC PLS - NORM
> AGC SLP - 4 to 6 (low setting reduces artifacts from the Automatic
> Notch Filter)
> AGC THR - 12
> AGC F - 120
> AGC S - 20
> Shift - 1.25
> Width - 2.7
> RF Gain - 90 (sometimes less)
> ATT - ON
> RX EQ 1 -2
> 2 0
> 3 +9
> 4 +12
> 5 +11
> 6 +14
> 7 +7
> 8 -16
>
> Be sure to read the "Noisy K3" section on http://www.w3fpr.com/ -
> excellent information!
>
> The disclaimer: Your mileage for the above settings may vary -
> depending upon speaker selection, personal preferences, and your hearing
> acuity.
>
> Note: I made all of my settings by hand, using the K3 menus. I did NOT
> use K3 EZ as that program will sometimes upset the AGC settings.
>
> Bill W2BLC
>
> **
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Bill-3

Thanks, Bill!

73, Phil W7OX

On 5/17/15 6:03 AM, Bill wrote:

> *Menu settings used at W2BLC for armchair copy
> on 160/75/40 meters:*
>
> *
>
> The following are the settings I am using on 40,
> 75, 160 for armchair copy (meaning very reduced
> hiss and no ANF warbling). My RX audio goes
> through amplified Behringer studio speakers with
> bass/treble adjustments.
>
> The speaker adjustments: bass at 3 o'clock and
> the treble at 11 o'clock
>
> K3 settings (Config Menu):
> AGC DLY - NORM
> AGC HLD - 0
> AGC PLS - NORM
> AGC SLP - 4 to 6 (low setting reduces
> artifacts from the Automatic Notch Filter)
> AGC THR - 12
> AGC F - 120
> AGC S - 20
> Shift - 1.25
> Width - 2.7
> RF Gain - 90 (sometimes less)
> ATT - ON
> RX EQ 1 -2
> 2 0
> 3 +9
> 4 +12
> 5 +11
> 6 +14
> 7 +7
> 8 -16
>
> Be sure to read the "Noisy K3" section on
> http://www.w3fpr.com/ - excellent information!
>
> The disclaimer: Your mileage for the above
> settings may vary - depending upon speaker
> selection, personal preferences, and your
> hearing acuity.
>
> Note: I made all of my settings by hand, using
> the K3 menus. I did NOT use K3 EZ as that
> program will sometimes upset the AGC settings.
>
> Bill W2BLC
>
> **

Jim Bolit

Re: K3S vs. K3

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

Joe,

Not in some time.

But the radio is boxed and on the way to Elecraft.

It could be as simple as that, I will let them sort it out and also install
the new synth's.

I bought my rig second hand, will have them do a full go over.

Will advise reflector what they come up with.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe
Subich, W4TV
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 5:29 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3

On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
> Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.

Both of my K3s are dead silent with the AF Gain at zero (fully CCW) and have
been since day 1. Certainly no hiss with the AF gain all the way down.

Have you done the RF Gain calibration?

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2015-05-16 7:21 PM, jim wrote:
> Just asking for no hiss with the volume control fully CCW.
>
> With the Timewave 599ZX in line with the K3 audio, I get this, but it
> is another know to fiddle with.
>
> My K3 is boxed and going back to Elecraft out of warranty to see if they
can
> "fix" my audio problem. Wayne said they would do a before and after
audio

> spectrum analysis.
>
> Will post the results from the crew at Elecraft.
>
> Jim
> W6AIM
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
> bs usb
> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:33 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3
>
> Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio quality
> standards.
>
> If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at
> studio quality prices.
>
>
>
> Jim Brown wrote:
>> On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
>>> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
>>> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?
>>
>> If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would
>> have done so.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> ______________________________________________________________
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Jim Bolit

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by Jim Sheldon

Thanks, will advise reflector what Elecraft has to say.

Rig was purchased used, serial #04900+ and is in a box on the way to
Elecraft

Jim
W6AIM

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jim
Sheldon
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 5:38 PM
To: Elecraft Group
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3

Same here, no noise whatsoever with the volume control at minimum and that's
on both the internal speaker and the powered external speakers (West
Mountain Radio CommSpeakers) with the volume control on the external
speakers turned up.

Jim, W0EB

Sent from my iPad

can
>> "fix" my audio problem. Wayne said they would do a before and after
audio

>> spectrum analysis.
>>
>> Will post the results from the crew at Elecraft.
>>
>> Jim
>> W6AIM
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
>> bs usb
>> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:33 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3
>>
>> Communication equipment does not have to be designed to studio
>> quality standards.
>>
>> If you need studio quality sound then buy studio quality equipment at
>> studio quality prices.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim Brown wrote:
>>>> On Sat,5/16/2015 9:17 AM, Doug Person via Elecraft wrote:
>>>> Do you think the K3 audio is as good as it can get or do you think
>>>> that there are some possible mods that might smooth it out a little?
>>>
>>> If Elecraft could have improved it with a mod or upgrade they would
>>> have done so.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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 Message delivered to
>>> [hidden email]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: K3S vs. K3

In reply to this post by iw1ayd

I just got a KX3 about 2 weeks ago it's SN is high 7000's

From: Walter Underwood <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs. K3

I think the K3 serial numbers recently crossed 9000. KX3 numbers are over 9000.

wunder
K6WRU
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

On May 16, 2015, at 6:52 AM, David Cole <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi,
> I bought mine a year ago, and it is in the 8000 range.
> --
> Thanks and 73's,
> For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
> www.nk7z.net
> for MixW support see;
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
> for Dopplergram information see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
> for MM-SSTV see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info
>
>
> On Sat, 2015-05-16 at 03:09 -0700, AD6XY wrote:
>> Too early I would say. To me it seems they have concentrated on improving the
>> receiver phase noise, which is a very important figure, especially for SSB
>> but the rest of the changes don't seem especially ground breaking. Maybe
>> that's expected because there isn't so much wrong with the original K3. It
>> means though that we won't all feel the need to upgrade our current K3 to
>> S-class just yet.
>>
>> The man made noise levels at HF now mean that further receiver improvements
>> are diminishing benefits- i.e. above a certain level, receiver performance
>> is no longer the constraint and there is not a lot more a receiver could do,
>> even if perfected.
>>
>> I would really like to see now is a K3v without all that unnecessary HF
>> stuff in there. Something optimised VHF and up and only VHF and up.
>>
>> What surprised me was the serial number - 10000 and up. I thought they must
>> have sold more than 10000 units already.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3S-vs-K3-tp7602970p7602971.html
>> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>> ______________________________________________________________
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123