This is the first in an occasional series that will highlight one K4 operating control or other feature. K4 owners are encouraged to give the examples a try, allowing them to gradually become more familiar with the transceiver's capabilities -- including some they may have missed.
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K4 Highlights #1: Stereo Audio Pitch Mapping
Working in CQ WPX this weekend, I was reminded of the "wall of sound" effect you can experience during a CW contest. This was the motivation behind the K4's AFX PITCH feature (pitch-mapping audio effect).
While AFX PITCH can be used in other modes, it really shines in CW mode, especially when wider bandwidths are used (800 Hz and up). What it does is "map" lower-pitched signals to the left, and higher-pitched signals to the right. All it takes is a little DSP magic.
Here's one way to think of it:
Imagine you're listening to a great jazz ensemble using mono headphones. Yes, you can hear all the instruments, but your brain does a lot of extra work in separating them. Now put yourself near center stage in an actual performance venue: the performers surround you, with each instrument's voice standing out distinctly thanks to binaural hearing.
This is what happens when you turn K4 pitch mapping on. The effect with headphones on is dramatic.
Steps:
1. Tap MAIN RX.
2. If the AFX button shows AFX OFF, tap to turn it ON.
3. Hold the AFX button to switch from DELAY to PITCH.
Headphones and wide CW bandwidths are recommend when you first try this. This will give you the full effect. And you'll want a pileup or contest to be going on to provide plenty of signals.
Full disclosure: The CW operators in your passband won't know they're part of your own private band. And unless it's a traffic net, they won't be working together on a single composition. Yet whatever notes they're playing, they won't sound like they're all sitting in the same chair.
73,
Wayne
N6KR
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