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KX3 Audio Compressor

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David Ahrendts

KX3 Audio Compressor

Feeling rather chuffed to have my Heil Gold Elite 5.1 mich and my Dr. Dre Beats ear buds with my KX3. Could run a disco! The Heil has very broad audio response for amateur radio which I prefer for casual com. I’ve noticed that a ll of that fidelity goes away when I invoke the audio compressor even at level 1. What’s actually happening when the compressor is turned on? Is the audio intentionally shaped differently? Highs and lows clipped off?

David Ahrendts, KC0XT, LA

David Ahrendts [hidden email]

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NC3Z

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

This has actually been a topic of several discussions on the KX3 Yahoo
group. If you look at the KX3 on a spectrum analyzer you will see that
when the compressor is turned on that the TX BW goes from about 2.8KHz
to 2.4KHz. I have asked Elecraft if there was a way for another option
to be added if one didn't want that narrow of a bandwidth. I
unfortunately always get comments that the audio is "pinched" when the
compressor is on and many report they hear me better without the
compressor, although the audio is weaker. Opposite of all my other
radios where I always get unsolicited comments on the great audio.

Peter HB9PJT just posted on the KX3 group a great QEX article written by
W9GR about FlexRadio using Controlled Envelope Single Sideband in DSP
producing very effective speech and compression. In reading the article
I kept thinking how much greater the KX3 would be if they could
implement this. Elecraft, is this possible? Please?

Gary Mitchelson
NC3Z Davidsonville, MD FM18
NC3Z/4 Pamlico County, NC FM15
http://www.mitchelson.org/

On 11/11/2014 9:27 AM, David Ahrendts wrote:

> Feeling rather chuffed to have my Heil Gold Elite 5.1 mich and my Dr. Dre Beats ear buds with my KX3. Could run a disco! The Heil has very broad audio response for amateur radio which I prefer for casual com. I’ve noticed that a ll of that fidelity goes away when I invoke the audio compressor even at level 1. What’s actually happening when the compressor is turned on? Is the audio intentionally shaped differently? Highs and lows clipped off?
>
> David Ahrendts, KC0XT, LA
>
>
>
> David Ahrendts [hidden email]
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
>

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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

Administrator

Gary,

Our present implementation of speech compression has proven very effective for most users. Still, we are keeping track of possible alternatives, and if/when we find time to experiment with them, we'll post to the list.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:40 AM, Gary - NC3Z <[hidden email]> wrote:

> This has actually been a topic of several discussions on the KX3 Yahoo group. If you look at the KX3 on a spectrum analyzer you will see that when the compressor is turned on that the TX BW goes from about 2.8KHz to 2.4KHz. ….

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David Ahrendts

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

In reply to this post by NC3Z

Thanks, Gary. I will study up on this. With my really hip (and very effective) headphones, the difference is quite pronounced. I too have always gotten “great audio” comments using the Heil with my about-to-be-sold TS-480HX and TS-480SAT, and I would run pretty full on compression in as full a fidelity as the unit would produce. It was often described as “punchy” and would always push through a pile-up. I fully get the idea that in major contesting, fidelity is not the concern — you wanna be heard. But can’t ya have it both ways without sounding “thin” and “tin-ee.”

David A., KC0XT

> On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:40 AM, Gary - NC3Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> This has actually been a topic of several discussions on the KX3 Yahoo group. If you look at the KX3 on a spectrum analyzer you will see that when the compressor is turned on that the TX BW goes from about 2.8KHz to 2.4KHz. I have asked Elecraft if there was a way for another option to be added if one didn't want that narrow of a bandwidth. I unfortunately always get comments that the audio is "pinched" when the compressor is on and many report they hear me better without the compressor, although the audio is weaker. Opposite of all my other radios where I always get unsolicited comments on the great audio.
>
> Peter HB9PJT just posted on the KX3 group a great QEX article written by W9GR about FlexRadio using Controlled Envelope Single Sideband in DSP producing very effective speech and compression. In reading the article I kept thinking how much greater the KX3 would be if they could implement this. Elecraft, is this possible? Please?
>
> Gary Mitchelson
> NC3Z Davidsonville, MD FM18
> NC3Z/4 Pamlico County, NC FM15
> http://www.mitchelson.org/
>
> On 11/11/2014 9:27 AM, David Ahrendts wrote:
>> Feeling rather chuffed to have my Heil Gold Elite 5.1 mich and my Dr. Dre Beats ear buds with my KX3. Could run a disco! The Heil has very broad audio response for amateur radio which I prefer for casual com. I’ve noticed that a ll of that fidelity goes away when I invoke the audio compressor even at level 1. What’s actually happening when the compressor is turned on? Is the audio intentionally shaped differently? Highs and lows clipped off?
>>
>> David Ahrendts, KC0XT, LA
>>
>>
>>
>> David Ahrendts [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]

David Ahrendts [hidden email]

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David Ahrendts

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Wayne, I am loving the KX3, KXPA100 combo and have it now balanced and operating virtually 100% into an Ameritron ALS-600S. And the Dr. Dre’s, I am cooking! :—) On the audio thread, I also noticed a huge audio difference between the Heil Gold Elite and the Elecraft MH-3. While the Heil was a producing a beefy, rich audio presence, the MH-3 was present but quite thin by comparison. I know these are subjective comparisons and there is no doubt the audio shaping has been successful for lots of people, I’m just compelled to raise the bar a little bit on audio shaping. Just my preference for routine contacts. Love the rig.

David A., KC0XT

> On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:44 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Gary,
>
> Our present implementation of speech compression has proven very effective for most users. Still, we are keeping track of possible alternatives, and if/when we find time to experiment with them, we'll post to the list.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:40 AM, Gary - NC3Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> This has actually been a topic of several discussions on the KX3 Yahoo group. If you look at the KX3 on a spectrum analyzer you will see that when the compressor is turned on that the TX BW goes from about 2.8KHz to 2.4KHz. ….
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

Administrator

Hi David,

I've had such great reports with the MH3 that I'm not sure how they could get any better. Makes me wonder if your MH3 isn't functioning properly.

If you'd like, we could send you another MH3 for comparison. If the second one is an improvement, keep it, and return the old one so we can sweep it.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Nov 11, 2014, at 9:00 AM, David Ahrendts <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Wayne, I am loving the KX3, KXPA100 combo and have it now balanced and operating virtually 100% into an Ameritron ALS-600S. And the Dr. Dre’s, I am cooking! :—) On the audio thread, I also noticed a huge audio difference between the Heil Gold Elite and the Elecraft MH-3. While the Heil was a producing a beefy, rich audio presence, the MH-3 was present but quite thin by comparison. I know these are subjective comparisons and there is no doubt the audio shaping has been successful for lots of people, I’m just compelled to raise the bar a little bit on audio shaping. Just my preference for routine contacts. Love the rig.
>
> David A., KC0XT
>
>> On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:44 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Gary,
>>
>> Our present implementation of speech compression has proven very effective for most users. Still, we are keeping track of possible alternatives, and if/when we find time to experiment with them, we'll post to the list.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

Agree. MH3 is a fine microphone for the KX3 -- and
a big improvement ergonomically over the MH2 I use
with my K2/100.

73, Phil W7OX

On 11/11/14 9:10 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Hi David,
>
> I've had such great reports with the MH3 that I'm not sure how they could get any better. Makes me wonder if your MH3 isn't functioning properly.
>
> If you'd like, we could send you another MH3 for comparison. If the second one is an improvement, keep it, and return the old one so we can sweep it.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> On Nov 11, 2014, at 9:00 AM, David Ahrendts <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Wayne, I am loving the KX3, KXPA100 combo and have it now balanced and operating virtually 100% into an Ameritron ALS-600S. And the Dr. Dre’s, I am cooking! :—) On the audio thread, I also noticed a huge audio difference between the Heil Gold Elite and the Elecraft MH-3. While the Heil was a producing a beefy, rich audio presence, the MH-3 was present but quite thin by comparison. I know these are subjective comparisons and there is no doubt the audio shaping has been successful for lots of people, I’m just compelled to raise the bar a little bit on audio shaping. Just my preference for routine contacts. Love the rig.
>>
>> David A., KC0XT
>>
>>> On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:44 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Gary,
>>>
>>> Our present implementation of speech compression has proven very effective for most users. Still, we are keeping track of possible alternatives, and if/when we find time to experiment with them, we'll post to the list.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Wayne
>>> N6KR

Gerry leary

Re: KX3 Audio Compressor

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

I still have not connected my KSPA100 yet, because the KX3 gets excellent Audio reports every time. I find that I almost never need phoenetics to help others understand me. WB6IVF. Gain 42, Compression 9.

Sent from my iPhone this time

> On Nov 11, 2014, at 9:44 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Gary,
>
> Our present implementation of speech compression has proven very effective for most users. Still, we are keeping track of possible alternatives, and if/when we find time to experiment with them, we'll post to the list.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>> On Nov 11, 2014, at 8:40 AM, Gary - NC3Z <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> This has actually been a topic of several discussions on the KX3 Yahoo group. If you look at the KX3 on a spectrum analyzer you will see that when the compressor is turned on that the TX BW goes from about 2.8KHz to 2.4KHz. ….
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]