Receiver distortion

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
14 messages Options
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Receiver distortion

Gary Gregory-3
Greetings All,

lately I have noticed that sometimes the main receiver sounds distorted when
signals are not even very strong (S5-7) without having Notch, NR, NB or wide
filter active and AGC is on slow.

I am curious if anyone else has experienced this audio degradation?

I have had a play while this is happening with the width, Hi and Lo cut,
shift and volume but it appears to have little effect. The NB is not used.

Regards,
Gary
#679
K3/100
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

N4LQ-2
Gary
Tell us about your speaker system. The K3 has the cleanest receive audio
I've see thusfar.

Steve Ellington
[hidden email]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Gregory" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 9:19 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Receiver distortion


> Greetings All,
>
> lately I have noticed that sometimes the main receiver sounds distorted
> when
> signals are not even very strong (S5-7) without having Notch, NR, NB or
> wide
> filter active and AGC is on slow.
>
> I am curious if anyone else has experienced this audio degradation?
>
> I have had a play while this is happening with the width, Hi and Lo cut,
> shift and volume but it appears to have little effect. The NB is not used.
>
> Regards,
> Gary
> #679
> K3/100
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1427 - Release Date: 5/11/2008
1:08 PM

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

Stewart Baker
In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-3
Now you come to mention it, I believe that the received audio on
my K3 does not sound quite as clean as when the rig was built.
Signals that sound smooth on my TS-850s and K2 (both using
internal speakers) have an edge to them on the K3.

Perhaps an Audiophile on the reflector can comment ?

73
Stewart G3RXQ
K3/100  #307
On Mon, 12 May 2008 11:19:22 +1000, Gary Gregory wrote:
> Greetings All,
>
> lately I have noticed that sometimes the main receiver sounds
distorted when
> signals are not even very strong (S5-7) without having Notch,
NR, NB or wide
> filter active and AGC is on slow.
>
> I am curious if anyone else has experienced this audio
degradation?
>
> I have had a play while this is happening with the width, Hi and
Lo cut,
> shift and volume but it appears to have little effect. The NB is
not used.

>
> Regards,
> Gary
> #679
> K3/100
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

Dave Martin-2
On 5/12/08, Stewart Baker <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Now you come to mention it, I believe that the received audio on
>  my K3 does not sound quite as clean as when the rig was built.
>  Signals that sound smooth on my TS-850s and K2 (both using
>  internal speakers) have an edge to them on the K3.
>
>  Perhaps an Audiophile on the reflector can comment ?
>
Yeah, I wonder sometimes.  I was listening to 75 meters last night on
my Drake 2A and the XYL asked why it sounded so clear (compared to
what she had been hearing on the K3).  I put the K3 back on, and maybe
it did sound a little rough, on the same Motorola speaker even.  I
tried to set the bandwidth so it sounded the same as on the Drake.
It's hard to say for sure.  The K3 should sound better than a
756ProIII and the other DSP radios, didn't someone say?

Dave  W5DHM
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

KM5Q
In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-3
I also notice slightly rough audio. It's subtle, but I believe  
something went wrong after the last FW upgrade.

Windy KM5Q
K3 #764
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

Barry N1EU
In reply to this post by N4LQ-2
n4lq wrote
The K3 has the cleanest receive audio I've see thusfar.
I'm likewise a bit skeptical (but I could be wrong) about the alleged K3 rx audio issues.  My experience is that the K3 rx audio is more "transparent" and thus any problems with the other guy's audio will be glaringly apparent with the K3.  This might be what some people are hearing - the bad signals are going to sound "badder" on the K3.  The K3 rx is less "forgiving" because you are hearing better.  I do seem to be noticing how bad most signals sound on 20M ssb lately, although there is the occasional smooth sounding signal.  I routinely A/B with my Orion to confirm what I'm hearing.

Perhaps folks who are reporting audio issues with the latest firmware can make some WAV recordings that we can listen to, with the "good" and "bad" firmware versions.

73,
Barry N1EU
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

John Trager
I did a quick test using my K3 and 756ProIII.  With an input of S9+40dB and
the K3's Rx frequency set to 14.200000, I set the signal generator for
14.201500 (for a 1500Hz tone).

The K3 seems to have about the same max output whether using the Line Out or
Speaker Out (on the rear of the radio), and it is less than +/- 8000 (using
Adobe Audition.

My 756ProIII has a Line Out of greater than +/- 14000.

Of course when the waveform starts clipping, you can hear the distortion,
which I can also see on the Adobe Audition frequency analysis display.

BTW, when I rotate the RF GAIN control on my K3 full counter-clockwise, it
doesn't make it up to S9+60db!  Anybody else notice this?  As a result, a
50mV input will not show S9+60dB.


John
N2KBE

----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry N1EU" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:21 PM
Subject: Re: Re[Elecraft] ceiver distortion


>
>
> n4lq wrote:
>>
>> The K3 has the cleanest receive audio I've see thusfar.
>>
> I'm likewise a bit skeptical (but I could be wrong) about the alleged K3
> rx
> audio issues.  My experience is that the K3 rx audio is more "transparent"
> and thus any problems with the other guy's audio will be glaringly
> apparent
> with the K3.  This might be what some people are hearing - the bad signals
> are going to sound "badder" on the K3.  The K3 rx is less "forgiving"
> because you are hearing better.  I do seem to be noticing how bad most
> signals sound on 20M ssb lately, although there is the occasional smooth
> sounding signal.  I routinely A/B with my Orion to confirm what I'm
> hearing.
>
> Perhaps folks who are reporting audio issues with the latest firmware can
> make some WAV recordings that we can listen to, with the "good" and "bad"
> firmware versions.
>
> 73,
> Barry N1EU
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://www.nabble.com/Receiver-distortion-tp17180061p17189855.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com 

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

N4LQ-2
Rotating my RFG counter clockwise caused the meter to peg at the 3 dot on
the knob scale. Something is wrong there.

Steve Ellington
[hidden email]
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Trager" <[hidden email]>
To: "Barry N1EU" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: Re[Elecraft] ceiver distortion


>I did a quick test using my K3 and 756ProIII.  With an input of S9+40dB and
> the K3's Rx frequency set to 14.200000, I set the signal generator for
> 14.201500 (for a 1500Hz tone).
>
> The K3 seems to have about the same max output whether using the Line Out
> or
> Speaker Out (on the rear of the radio), and it is less than +/- 8000
> (using
> Adobe Audition.
>
> My 756ProIII has a Line Out of greater than +/- 14000.
>
> Of course when the waveform starts clipping, you can hear the distortion,
> which I can also see on the Adobe Audition frequency analysis display.
>
> BTW, when I rotate the RF GAIN control on my K3 full counter-clockwise, it
> doesn't make it up to S9+60db!  Anybody else notice this?  As a result, a
> 50mV input will not show S9+60dB.
>
>
> John
> N2KBE
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Barry N1EU" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:21 PM
> Subject: Re: Re[Elecraft] ceiver distortion
>
>
>>
>>
>> n4lq wrote:
>>>
>>> The K3 has the cleanest receive audio I've see thusfar.
>>>
>> I'm likewise a bit skeptical (but I could be wrong) about the alleged K3
>> rx
>> audio issues.  My experience is that the K3 rx audio is more
>> "transparent"
>> and thus any problems with the other guy's audio will be glaringly
>> apparent
>> with the K3.  This might be what some people are hearing - the bad
>> signals
>> are going to sound "badder" on the K3.  The K3 rx is less "forgiving"
>> because you are hearing better.  I do seem to be noticing how bad most
>> signals sound on 20M ssb lately, although there is the occasional smooth
>> sounding signal.  I routinely A/B with my Orion to confirm what I'm
>> hearing.
>>
>> Perhaps folks who are reporting audio issues with the latest firmware can
>> make some WAV recordings that we can listen to, with the "good" and "bad"
>> firmware versions.
>>
>> 73,
>> Barry N1EU
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context:
>> http://www.nabble.com/Receiver-distortion-tp17180061p17189855.html
>> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 8.0.100 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1428 - Release Date: 5/12/2008
7:44 AM

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: RF gain control calibration

wayne burdick
Administrator
Steve,

The RF gain control is presently calibrated only for the DSP's internal
gain curve. I have a task on my firmware list to calibrate the hardware
portion of the curve, which can vary from rig to rig. This will
eliminate the problem you mentioned with RF GAIN CCW rotation.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On May 12, 2008, at 1:28 PM, n4lq wrote:

> Rotating my RFG counter clockwise caused the meter to peg at the 3 dot
> on the knob scale. Something is wrong there.
>
> Steve Ellington
> [hidden email]


-----

http:\\

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Receiver distortion

Mike Harris-9
In reply to this post by Barry N1EU
G'day,

| n4lq wrote:
| >
| > The K3 has the cleanest receive audio I've see thusfar.
| >
| I'm likewise a bit skeptical (but I could be wrong) about the alleged K3
rx
| audio issues.  My experience is that the K3 rx audio is more
"transparent"
| and thus any problems with the other guy's audio will be glaringly
apparent
| with the K3.  This might be what some people are hearing - the bad
signals
| are going to sound "badder" on the K3.  The K3 rx is less "forgiving"
| because you are hearing better.  I do seem to be noticing how bad most
| signals sound on 20M ssb lately, although there is the occasional smooth
| sounding signal.  I routinely A/B with my Orion to confirm what I'm
hearing.

Certainly even with the K2 and any other receiver it is easy to find some
pretty lousy signals.  More so during contests.  However, to suggest that
the K3 is sooooo good that others sound routinely bad is heading towards
the "golden eared" audiophile nonsense.  Nope, it's not the receiver, it's
the 169 strand single crystal oxygen free copper unidirectional leads to
your external computer speakers.

Now, where did I put that $500 solid silver power lead with the "special
edition" gold APP's on.  That's just got to improve the TX IMD surely?

The reported A/B with the R2C and an unbiased(?) XYL seemed to suggest
otherwise.

Apologies.

More seriously, I've been fiddling with the bandwidth, Lo and Hi cut and
audio settings on my K3 and achieved a compromise I like.  It has
nevertheless made me ponder the whole concept of AD/DA converting a low
level signal in a noise background.  All AD/DA conversion results in some
level of quantisation distortion which might be more noticeable in this
circumstance which is routinely encountered in DXing.

Mike VP8NO

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: receiver distortion

Bob-270
No wonder it sounds  poor....   Your using the cheap "junk"!!!

Also the input to the power supply has to be addressed also. I would
recommend these:

  http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KKPK10PAL

Hopefully they will have designed a heavy duty 220 Volt model for when
the  Elecraft linear becomes
available.

73,
Bob
K2TK


Mike Harris wrote:

>
>Certainly even with the K2 and any other receiver it is easy to find some
>pretty lousy signals.  More so during contests.  However, to suggest that
>the K3 is sooooo good that others sound routinely bad is heading towards
>the "golden eared" audiophile nonsense.  Nope, it's not the receiver, it's
>the 169 strand single crystal oxygen free copper unidirectional leads to
>your external computer speakers.
>
>Now, where did I put that $500 solid silver power lead with the "special
>edition" gold APP's on.  That's just got to improve the TX IMD surely?
>
>The reported A/B with the R2C and an unbiased(?) XYL seemed to suggest
>otherwise.
>
>Apologies.
>
>More seriously, I've been fiddling with the bandwidth, Lo and Hi cut and
>audio settings on my K3 and achieved a compromise I like.  It has
>nevertheless made me ponder the whole concept of AD/DA converting a low
>level signal in a noise background.  All AD/DA conversion results in some
>level of quantisation distortion which might be more noticeable in this
>circumstance which is routinely encountered in DXing.
>
>Mike VP8NO
>
>
>
>  
>


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re:ceiver distortion

N5GE
In reply to this post by John Trager
On Mon, 12 May 2008 15:55:47 -0400, N2KBE wrote:

[snip]
>BTW, when I rotate the RF GAIN control on my K3 full counter-clockwise, it
>doesn't make it up to S9+60db!  Anybody else notice this?  As a result, a
>50mV input will not show S9+60dB.
[snip]

Mine (#806) makes it to +60dB.

Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

"Those who would give up
Essential Liberty to
purchase a little Temporary
Safety deserve neither
Liberty nor Safety"

An excerpt from a letter
written in 1755 from the
Assembly to the Governor
of Pennsylvania.

Support the entire Constitution, not
just the parts you like.

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: receiver distortion

Mike Harris-9
In reply to this post by Bob-270
I am unworthy.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob" <[hidden email]>
To: "Mike Harris" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] receiver distortion


| No wonder it sounds  poor....   Your using the cheap "junk"!!!
|
| Also the input to the power supply has to be addressed also. I would
| recommend these:
|
|  http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KKPK10PAL
|
| Hopefully they will have designed a heavy duty 220 Volt model for when
| the  Elecraft linear becomes
| available.

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: S-meter not getting to S9+60

wayne burdick
Administrator
In reply to this post by N5GE
The present production firmware (MCU 1.88) will only use the S9+60
segment if "peak-reading S-meter" is enabled (CONFIG:SMTR PK = ON).

The next firmware release (a "beta" release, possibly as early as this
evening) allows the S9+60 segment to be used even if SMTR PK is set to
OFF.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

---

http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com