KX3 Audio Power

[Doug Person-3]

Now that the KX3 can function as a full QRO transceiver with the new
amplifier, I find myself a bit disappointed with audio output power.  
Even with the most efficient speaker I can find, I can't really get a
comfortable audio level.  So, I'm kind of stuck with headphones to
really hear well.  Wondering if anyone has tried building a simple audio
amp that will power a decent desk speaker. I was wondering if these
class "D" modules are worth investigating. Anyone have any ideas?

73, Doug -- K0DXV
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[Ross Primrose]

Just use a pair of small amplified computer speakers...

73, Ross N4RP

On 3/27/2014 8:46 PM, Doug Person wrote:

> Now that the KX3 can function as a full QRO transceiver with the new
> amplifier, I find myself a bit disappointed with audio output power.
> Even with the most efficient speaker I can find, I can't really get a
> comfortable audio level. So, I'm kind of stuck with headphones to
> really hear well. Wondering if anyone has tried building a simple
> audio amp that will power a decent desk speaker. I was wondering if
> these class "D" modules are worth investigating. Anyone have any ideas?
>
> 73, Doug -- K0DXV
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--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

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[Jim Brown-10]

On 3/27/2014 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
> Just use a pair of small amplified computer speakers

Be careful about that -- most amplified loudspeakers have RFI problems.

Remember that the KX3 is specifically designed to be a backpacking rig,
so everything, including the audio amp, is designed to be stingy about
using battery power.

One simple thing we can do to maximize the audio output level is to use
RXEQ to roll off the lower three bands. The sound in these lower bands
makes no contribution to communications, but it does use power, so when
we get rid of it, we can use the power for the sound that matters.

73, Jim K9YC
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[Phil Wheeler-2]

Earphones make the most sense. If I need a
speaker, I have a small Radio Shack speaker with
an amp, powered by a 9 V. battery. However I've
not tried it with my KX3 -- and I don't know if RS
still has them.

73, Phil w7ox

On 3/27/14, 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
> Just use a pair of small amplified computer
> speakers...
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>

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[ejkkjh]

Doug,
I use a Dell computer powered speaker, it works great and can be powered
from 13.8 power supply used for the rig.
It has volume control, on/off, and earphone plug.  No RF problems from K3
and KPA500 or other in shack rigs.
Its Dell AX510 stereo sound bar, 34.99.
Good luck 73
Emory  WM3M

-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Person
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:46 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 Audio Power

Now that the KX3 can function as a full QRO transceiver with the new
amplifier, I find myself a bit disappointed with audio output power.
Even with the most efficient speaker I can find, I can't really get a
comfortable audio level.  So, I'm kind of stuck with headphones to
really hear well.  Wondering if anyone has tried building a simple audio
amp that will power a decent desk speaker. I was wondering if these
class "D" modules are worth investigating. Anyone have any ideas?

73, Doug -- K0DXV
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[Reginald J Mackey SR-3]

i use sona verse usb powered speakers with my kx3. bought on amazon.com for a few bucks. perfect fit.

Reggie k6xr


On Mar 28, 2014, at 08:09 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:

Earphones make the most sense. If I need a
speaker, I have a small Radio Shack speaker with
an amp, powered by a 9 V. battery. However I've
not tried it with my KX3 -- and I don't know if RS
still has them.

73, Phil w7ox

On 3/27/14, 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
        > Just use a pair of small amplified computer
        > speakers...
        >
        > 73, Ross N4RP
        >

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[Phil Kane-2]

On 3/28/2014 8:25 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> I use a Dell computer powered speaker, it works great and can be powered
> from 13.8 power supply used for the rig.

I need an amplifier like that to connect my computer audio output to the
speakers in my display/monitor.  Anyone have any ideas?
-- --
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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[Doug Person-3]

This has been a significant problem for the powered speakers I have
tried.  Even the West Mountain Radio speakers that are supposed to be RF
proof are not RF proof.

I'm going to try a few of the single-ic audio chips to see I can produce
enough clean audio while avoiding the RF feedback problem.

Doug -- K0DXV

On 3/27/2014 11:47 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 3/27/2014 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
>> Just use a pair of small amplified computer speakers
>
> Be careful about that -- most amplified loudspeakers have RFI problems.
>
> Remember that the KX3 is specifically designed to be a backpacking
> rig, so everything, including the audio amp, is designed to be stingy
> about using battery power.
>
> One simple thing we can do to maximize the audio output level is to
> use RXEQ to roll off the lower three bands. The sound in these lower
> bands makes no contribution to communications, but it does use power,
> so when we get rid of it, we can use the power for the sound that
> matters.
>
> 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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[Vic Rosenthal]

I've always been able to eliminate RFI in amplified computer speakers by
wrapping as many turns as I can get of the audio and power leads around
ferrite toroids.

The problem I've had is that they sound awful, especially with CW. They
tend to buzz at particular frequencies. Maybe I've just had bad luck
with the ones I've tried.

On 3/28/2014 10:56 AM, Doug Person wrote:

> This has been a significant problem for the powered speakers I have
> tried.  Even the West Mountain Radio speakers that are supposed to be RF
> proof are not RF proof.
>
> I'm going to try a few of the single-ic audio chips to see I can produce
> enough clean audio while avoiding the RF feedback problem.
>
> Doug -- K0DXV
>
> On 3/27/2014 11:47 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> On 3/27/2014 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
>>> Just use a pair of small amplified computer speakers
>>
>> Be careful about that -- most amplified loudspeakers have RFI problems.
>>
>> Remember that the KX3 is specifically designed to be a backpacking
>> rig, so everything, including the audio amp, is designed to be stingy
>> about using battery power.
>>
>> One simple thing we can do to maximize the audio output level is to
>> use RXEQ to roll off the lower three bands. The sound in these lower
>> bands makes no contribution to communications, but it does use power,
>> so when we get rid of it, we can use the power for the sound that
>> matters.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

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[Phil Wheeler-2]

Come to think of it I have a JBL Micro Wireless
speaker which is USB powered and has a 5 hr
battery. Bluetooth to my iPad but also has an
attached cable -- should work fine with the KX3.

73, Phil w7ox

On 3/28/14, 9:25 AM, Reginald J Mackey SR wrote:

> i use sona verse usb powered speakers with my
> kx3. bought on amazon.com for a few bucks.
> perfect fit.
>
> Reggie k6xr
>
>
> On Mar 28, 2014, at 08:09 AM, Phil Wheeler
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Earphones make the most sense. If I need a
> speaker, I have a small Radio Shack speaker with
> an amp, powered by a 9 V. battery. However I've
> not tried it with my KX3 -- and I don't know if
> RS still has them.
>
> 73, Phil w7ox
>
> On 3/27/14, 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
>        > Just use a pair of small amplified
> computer  > speakers...
>        >
>        > 73, Ross N4RP
>        >
>
>

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[R Patrick]

Regarding the message below...

I too have adjusted my KX3s RXEQ to enhance the audio frequency spectrum
that is for voice (and CW)
communications.  Using my KX3 (and other radios like my collection of Heath
QRP radios) in my
ham shack I use West Mountain Radios Comm Speakers.  They are advertised as
RF proof...
and I think they are right.  Operating 200 watts doesn't interfere with the
WMR speakers or I have no
RFI in my shack- how likely is that?  Oh yah, they sound pretty well with
my KX3, HW7, HW8, HW9.
See: http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=com_spkr
I got mine at HRO.
FWIW,
Rich KR7W

Message: 15
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 22:47:18 -0700
From: Jim Brown <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Audio Power
Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

On 3/27/2014 6:02 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP wrote:
> Just use a pair of small amplified computer speakers

Be careful about that -- most amplified loudspeakers have RFI problems.

Remember that the KX3 is specifically designed to be a backpacking rig,
so everything, including the audio amp, is designed to be stingy about
using battery power.

One simple thing we can do to maximize the audio output level is to use
RXEQ to roll off the lower three bands. The sound in these lower bands
makes no contribution to communications, but it does use power, so when
we get rid of it, we can use the power for the sound that matters.

73, Jim K9YC
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