KX3/K3 Operating Tip: Working a pileup using dual watch instead of SPLIT

[wayne burdick]

Often a DX station will say "up 2" (or just "up") in order to move  
callers away from his own frequency. This allows everyone to still  
hear the DX station at all times despite dozens of stations calling.

Traditionally, this is accomplished using SPLIT. On a K3 or KX3, you'd  
set VFO A to the DX station's frequency, then set VFO B somewhere  
above this, preferably in a clear spot. When you hit the key in SPLIT  
mode, the rig transmits on VFO B. You can use the "REV" switch  
function periodically to listen on VFO B's frequency (swapping A and  
B), and while REV is held down, adjust the VFO A knob to hunt for a  
better spot to call.

The KX3 (or a K3 equipped with a sub receiver) provides a simpler  
alternative that doesn't necessarily require the use of SPLIT: dual  
watch. This also lets you hear both the DX station and the pileup at  
the same time, avoiding the need to REVerse the VFOs periodically.

Here's an example:

1. Having found a DX station with VFO A, tap the "A>B" switch twice so  
that VFO B is on the same frequency.

2. Turn on dual watch by setting MENU:DUAL RX to AUTO. You'll need  
headphones or dual external speakers; VFO A will be in the left audio  
channel, and VFO B in the right. (The K3 provides a number of  
variations on this; refer to the K3 owner's manual.)

3. Move VFO A up about 2 kHz (or the DX station's requested offset).  
There you may encounter a pileup. Find a clear spot in which to  
transmit, and call the DX station after he signs with the previous  
station or calls CQ.

Three additional tips:

- You may have a better chance of working the DX station if you call  
near the frequency of the station who worked him last. This is one of  
the best aspects of dual watch: since you're listening to the pileup  
in the right audio channel, you may hear the other stations being  
worked, and you can "piggy-back" onto their frequency. A really  
skilled operator can actually determine how the DX station is moving  
their own receive VFO just by listening to the pattern of stations  
worked. You can then move your own VFO to match, anticipating where  
the DX station will be listening next.

- SSB DX stations may listen across a wider range of frequencies,  
possibly going beyond the present +/- 15 kHz maximum spacing between  
VFOs allowed by the KX3's dual watch function. In this case you might  
need to use the SPLIT method instead. (The K3 doesn't share this  
limitation--its sub receiver can be tuned any distance from the main  
receiver, and can even use different antennas for the two.)

- If you turn dual watch on/off frequently, you might want to assign  
the DUAL RX menu entry to PF1 or PF2 as explained on page 19 of the  
owner's manual. Once you've done this, accessing the programmable  
function will turn dual watch on/off immediately without the need to  
go into the menu.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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[Jorge Diez - CX6VM-2]

Thanks Wayne

I did that but pressing SUB button on my K3, then I can listen on both
receivers, one in each ear. Si the same effect than doing dual watch?

73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W

-----Mensaje original-----
De: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] En nombre de Wayne Burdick
Enviado el: miércoles, 06 de junio de 2012 13:50
Para: [hidden email]
CC: Elecraft Reflector
Asunto: [Elecraft] KX3/K3 Operating Tip: Working a pileup using dual watch
instead of SPLIT

Often a DX station will say "up 2" (or just "up") in order to move callers
away from his own frequency. This allows everyone to still hear the DX
station at all times despite dozens of stations calling.

Traditionally, this is accomplished using SPLIT. On a K3 or KX3, you'd set
VFO A to the DX station's frequency, then set VFO B somewhere above this,
preferably in a clear spot. When you hit the key in SPLIT mode, the rig
transmits on VFO B. You can use the "REV" switch function periodically to
listen on VFO B's frequency (swapping A and B), and while REV is held down,
adjust the VFO A knob to hunt for a better spot to call.

The KX3 (or a K3 equipped with a sub receiver) provides a simpler
alternative that doesn't necessarily require the use of SPLIT: dual watch.
This also lets you hear both the DX station and the pileup at the same time,
avoiding the need to REVerse the VFOs periodically.

Here's an example:

1. Having found a DX station with VFO A, tap the "A>B" switch twice so that
VFO B is on the same frequency.

2. Turn on dual watch by setting MENU:DUAL RX to AUTO. You'll need
headphones or dual external speakers; VFO A will be in the left audio
channel, and VFO B in the right. (The K3 provides a number of variations on
this; refer to the K3 owner's manual.)

3. Move VFO A up about 2 kHz (or the DX station's requested offset).  
There you may encounter a pileup. Find a clear spot in which to transmit,
and call the DX station after he signs with the previous station or calls
CQ.

Three additional tips:

- You may have a better chance of working the DX station if you call near
the frequency of the station who worked him last. This is one of the best
aspects of dual watch: since you're listening to the pileup in the right
audio channel, you may hear the other stations being worked, and you can
"piggy-back" onto their frequency. A really skilled operator can actually
determine how the DX station is moving their own receive VFO just by
listening to the pattern of stations worked. You can then move your own VFO
to match, anticipating where the DX station will be listening next.

- SSB DX stations may listen across a wider range of frequencies, possibly
going beyond the present +/- 15 kHz maximum spacing between VFOs allowed by
the KX3's dual watch function. In this case you might need to use the SPLIT
method instead. (The K3 doesn't share this limitation--its sub receiver can
be tuned any distance from the main receiver, and can even use different
antennas for the two.)

- If you turn dual watch on/off frequently, you might want to assign the
DUAL RX menu entry to PF1 or PF2 as explained on page 19 of the owner's
manual. Once you've done this, accessing the programmable function will turn
dual watch on/off immediately without the need to go into the menu.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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[wayne burdick]

Yes; in this case, dual watch on the KX3 is equivalent to using the K3  
sub receiver. I prefer this method over SPLIT when working pileups.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


On Jun 6, 2012, at 10:02 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:

> Thanks Wayne
>
> I did that but pressing SUB button on my K3, then I can listen on both
> receivers, one in each ear. Si the same effect than doing dual watch?
>
> 73,
> Jorge
> CX6VM/CW5W

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[Cady, Fred]

I'm a little confused. This seems to imply there is a DUAL RX menu
function in the K3. Don't you mean DUAL RX is a menu item in the KX3
that provides the same functionality as tapping SUB in the K3?

Cheers and 73,
Fred KE7X

Fred Cady
fcady at ieee dot org
<snip>

> The KX3 (or a K3 equipped with a sub receiver) provides a simpler
> alternative that doesn't necessarily require the use of SPLIT: dual
> watch. This also lets you hear both the DX station and the pileup at
> the same time, avoiding the need to REVerse the VFOs periodically.
>
> Here's an example:
>
> 1. Having found a DX station with VFO A, tap the "A>B" switch twice so
> that VFO B is on the same frequency.
>
> 2. Turn on dual watch by setting MENU:DUAL RX to AUTO. You'll need
> headphones or dual external speakers; VFO A will be in the left audio
> channel, and VFO B in the right. (The K3 provides a number of
> variations on this; refer to the K3 owner's manual.)
>
> 3. Move VFO A up about 2 kHz (or the DX station's requested offset).
> There you may encounter a pileup. Find a clear spot in which to
> transmit, and call the DX station after he signs with the previous
> station or calls CQ.
>

<snip>

> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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[Chester Alderman]

Good question Fred! I've just been scouring the K3 owner's manual and your
book looking for MENU:DUAL RX and of course that can't be found. So I agree
with you that Wayne's description could be confusing.

73,
Tom - W4BQF


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Cady, Fred
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 4:45 PM
To: Wayne Burdick; [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3/K3 Operating Tip: Working a pileup using dual
watchinstead of SPLIT

I'm a little confused. This seems to imply there is a DUAL RX menu
function in the K3. Don't you mean DUAL RX is a menu item in the KX3
that provides the same functionality as tapping SUB in the K3?

Cheers and 73,
Fred KE7X

Fred Cady
fcady at ieee dot org
<snip>

> The KX3 (or a K3 equipped with a sub receiver) provides a simpler
> alternative that doesn't necessarily require the use of SPLIT: dual
> watch. This also lets you hear both the DX station and the pileup at
> the same time, avoiding the need to REVerse the VFOs periodically.
>
> Here's an example:
>
> 1. Having found a DX station with VFO A, tap the "A>B" switch twice so
> that VFO B is on the same frequency.
>
> 2. Turn on dual watch by setting MENU:DUAL RX to AUTO. You'll need
> headphones or dual external speakers; VFO A will be in the left audio
> channel, and VFO B in the right. (The K3 provides a number of
> variations on this; refer to the K3 owner's manual.)
>
> 3. Move VFO A up about 2 kHz (or the DX station's requested offset).
> There you may encounter a pileup. Find a clear spot in which to
> transmit, and call the DX station after he signs with the previous
> station or calls CQ.
>

<snip>

> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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[k6dgw]

On 6/6/2012 9:49 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> - You may have a better chance of working the DX station if you call
> near the frequency of the station who worked him last.

K3, no sub RX, P3:  VFO A=DX freq.  Tap A=B.  Hold SPLIT. Move B into
pileup [doesn't matter where, just tune the B cursor up, you can't miss
it :-) ].  Listen to DX while he's listening.  When he calls someone,
watch pileup.  One signal [OK, probably more than one if it's 7O6X] will
pop up.  Put B on signal.  When DX sends TU, call.  If you don't get him
on the first try, you will on the second.  Like shooting fish in a barrel.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org

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[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

This implies the KX3 will split out the dual-watch audio into different
streams.  If so, this is a significant improvement on the dual-watch as
implemented by ICOM radios, the only one's I've tried to use it.

Do I understand correctly?

73, doug



On 06-Jun-12 17:06, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Yes; in this case, dual watch on the KX3 is equivalent to using the K3
> sub receiver. I prefer this method over SPLIT when working pileups.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> On Jun 6, 2012, at 10:02 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:
>
>> Thanks Wayne
>>
>> I did that but pressing SUB button on my K3, then I can listen on both
>> receivers, one in each ear. Si the same effect than doing dual watch?
>>
>> 73,
>> Jorge
>> CX6VM/CW5W
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

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[Barry]

I just went through the same exercise:  Looked up DUAL WATCH in my K3 manual, couldn't find anything, then downloaded the latest manual from the Elecraft web site and looked there - nothing.

I've always done it this way using the SUB button on my K3.

The tough mode to do this on is RTTY, because of all the endless callers.

Barry W2UP

 

Cady, Fred wrote

I'm a little confused. This seems to imply there is a DUAL RX menu
function in the K3. Don't you mean DUAL RX is a menu item in the KX3
that provides the same functionality as tapping SUB in the K3?

Cheers and 73,
Fred KE7X

[wayne burdick]

Only the KX3 has dual watch.

Wayne
N6KR


On Jun 7, 2012, at 5:30 AM, Barry wrote:

> I just went through the same exercise:  Looked up DUAL WATCH in my  
> K3 manual,
> couldn't find anything, then downloaded the latest manual from the  
> Elecraft
> web site and looked there - nothing.
>
> I've always done it this way using the SUB button on my K3.
>
> The tough mode to do this on is RTTY, because of all the endless  
> callers.
>
> Barry W2UP
>
>
> Cady, Fred wrote
>>
>> I'm a little confused. This seems to imply there is a DUAL RX menu
>> function in the K3. Don't you mean DUAL RX is a menu item in the KX3
>> that provides the same functionality as tapping SUB in the K3?
>>
>> Cheers and 73,
>> Fred KE7X
>>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-K3-Operating-Tip-Working-a-pileup-using-dual-watch-instead-of-SPLIT-tp7557196p7557236.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
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[Bob Wolbert-2]

Yup.

The KX3 dual watch is main-audio-in-left-ear/sub-audio-in-right. Just
the way you'd want it.

Regards,

Bob Wolbert

On 6/7/2012 12:22 AM, Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone] wrote:

> This implies the KX3 will split out the dual-watch audio into different
> streams.  If so, this is a significant improvement on the dual-watch as
> implemented by ICOM radios, the only one's I've tried to use it.
>
> Do I understand correctly?
>
> 73, doug
>
>
>
> On 06-Jun-12 17:06, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Yes; in this case, dual watch on the KX3 is equivalent to using the K3
>> sub receiver. I prefer this method over SPLIT when working pileups.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>> On Jun 6, 2012, at 10:02 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks Wayne
>>>
>>> I did that but pressing SUB button on my K3, then I can listen on both
>>> receivers, one in each ear. Si the same effect than doing dual watch?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Jorge
>>> CX6VM/CW5W
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>
>>
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[wayne burdick]

Yes. The KX3 is full stereo.

W

----
http://www.elecraft.com

On Jun 7, 2012, at 12:22 AM, Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone] <[hidden email]> wrote:

> This implies the KX3 will split out the dual-watch audio into different
> streams.  If so, this is a significant improvement on the dual-watch as
> implemented by ICOM radios, the only one's I've tried to use it.
>
> Do I understand correctly?
>
> 73, doug
>
>
>
> On 06-Jun-12 17:06, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Yes; in this case, dual watch on the KX3 is equivalent to using the K3
>> sub receiver. I prefer this method over SPLIT when working pileups.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>> On Jun 6, 2012, at 10:02 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks Wayne
>>>
>>> I did that but pressing SUB button on my K3, then I can listen on both
>>> receivers, one in each ear. Si the same effect than doing dual watch?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Jorge
>>> CX6VM/CW5W
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>
>>
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[Dom M1KTA]

Wayne,

It works the other way too (as in the reverse) when you are the DX station :-) Listening to the all important TX freq is easy, especially when you hear the policemen get involved.

You turn (ear drums allowing for loud stations) the filters wide irrespective of mode (unless you have to alter) and turn the AGC off or set the threshold high, turn RX eq off (set to max accross the board).

72

Dom
6W/M1KTA (15-22 Aug 2012)
C5/M1KTA (22-29 Aug 2012)
M1KTA (Home call)

[W0FK]

Good summary Wayne. Using split receive/dual watch is very useful and it’s
one of the best features the k3 and kx3 have available imho.

There’s one other tool to add to your pileup arsenal, and that’s the P3 or
PX3. Center the dx station or put his signal on the left side of the
panadapter, narrow the bandwidth, look for calling stations, and tune across
them. It’s a quick way to “see” the station possibly being worked in
addition to hearing them. Particularly on CW, you soon learn what a “599”
being sent looks like graphically to really speed your way to working
through the pile.

73

Lou, W0FK



-----
St. Louis, MO

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that
genius has its limits." Albert Einstein


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