Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked on big pile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

[Steve Ireland]

G'day

 

Unfortunately my tower has been down for a couple of weeks now owing to a
dead rotator and I missed out on playing around the new 4.51 version AGC
settings in the WPX CW.  I'm sure those of us on the reflector who couldn't
get on in the WPX CW would be very interested to see what worked out.

 

Prior to the contest, at least one serious contester (K6LL) was going in
with fast AGC, using the minimum of RF gain (no preamp) and the following
menu settings:

 

AGC Decay: soft

Hld: 0.2

Pls: nor

Slp: 0

Thr: 20

F: 200

AF lim: nor 030

 

This seemed a pretty good set-up based on my own experience - be great to
hear if these setting worked for both loud and weak signals and, if not,
what did.  All comments would be appreciated!

 

Many thanks!

 

Vy 73

 

Steve, VK6VZ

 

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[Dave Hachadorian]

I used the AGC settings mentioned below for the entire WPX CW
Contest this weekend, and they worked well for me - 1750 QSO's on
15 meters.  There is a sweet spot for the RF gain control, where
more or less makes extremely weak signal less readable.  I set
the control at that point, and rarely had to adjust it, only when
there were multiple very loud stations calling me in a pileup.
AF gain was kept at a fairly low level.  Basically, it was like
operating with AGC OFF, except for the very loudest signals.
After using the new firmware for 32 hours in a contest, I think
it is a significant improvement.  The linear range of overall
gain from the weakest detectable signal to the point where
compression begins has increased noticeably.  On 15 meters, I had
the preamp ON and attenuator OFF.


Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, Arizona








-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Ireland
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 7:12 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked
on bigpile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

G'day



Unfortunately my tower has been down for a couple of weeks now
owing to a
dead rotator and I missed out on playing around the new 4.51
version AGC
settings in the WPX CW.  I'm sure those of us on the reflector
who couldn't
get on in the WPX CW would be very interested to see what worked
out.



Prior to the contest, at least one serious contester (K6LL) was
going in
with fast AGC, using the minimum of RF gain (no preamp) and the
following
menu settings:



AGC Decay: soft

Hld: 0.2

Pls: nor

Slp: 0

Thr: 20

F: 200

AF lim: nor 030



This seemed a pretty good set-up based on my own experience - be
great to
hear if these setting worked for both loud and weak signals and,
if not,
what did.  All comments would be appreciated!



Many thanks!



Vy 73



Steve, VK6VZ



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[ea3aky]

Hi all

I used 4.51 too this weekend (ED3T 10 meters SO HP) and it works very well.
Used THR at 18 X, my preamp was On, ATT Off, and RF completely clockwise. I
was able to hear weak signals nicely, without any click, clack, splatters,
etc. Only problem is when a big signal appears suddenly calling when
listening to weak ones, some distortion appears in audio, easy solved
reducing it.

I Love this rig ! Thanks guys! I helped me to work 1300 qsos on 10 meters
(1263 without dupes)

EA3AKY  / ED3T
http://ea3aky.blogspot.com/


-----Mensaje original-----
De: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] En nombre de Dave Hachadorian
Enviado el: lunes, 28 de mayo de 2012 19:11
Para: Elecraft Reflector
Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked on
bigpile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

I used the AGC settings mentioned below for the entire WPX CW Contest this
weekend, and they worked well for me - 1750 QSO's on
15 meters.  There is a sweet spot for the RF gain control, where more or
less makes extremely weak signal less readable.  I set the control at that
point, and rarely had to adjust it, only when there were multiple very loud
stations calling me in a pileup.
AF gain was kept at a fairly low level.  Basically, it was like operating
with AGC OFF, except for the very loudest signals.
After using the new firmware for 32 hours in a contest, I think it is a
significant improvement.  The linear range of overall gain from the weakest
detectable signal to the point where compression begins has increased
noticeably.  On 15 meters, I had the preamp ON and attenuator OFF.


Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, Arizona








-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Ireland
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 7:12 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked on
bigpile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

G'day



Unfortunately my tower has been down for a couple of weeks now owing to a
dead rotator and I missed out on playing around the new 4.51 version AGC
settings in the WPX CW.  I'm sure those of us on the reflector who couldn't
get on in the WPX CW would be very interested to see what worked out.



Prior to the contest, at least one serious contester (K6LL) was going in
with fast AGC, using the minimum of RF gain (no preamp) and the following
menu settings:



AGC Decay: soft

Hld: 0.2

Pls: nor

Slp: 0

Thr: 20

F: 200

AF lim: nor 030



This seemed a pretty good set-up based on my own experience - be great to
hear if these setting worked for both loud and weak signals and, if not,
what did.  All comments would be appreciated!



Many thanks!



Vy 73



Steve, VK6VZ



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[Robby.VY2SS]

I had limited time available for the WPX and operated as VF2A. I loaded v4.51 beta before the contest to try it out. I tried the settings mentioned above before the contest. I cannot imagine using them. I cannot imagine spending the entire contest with my hand on the  gain controls to prevent serious ear damage. I run my RF gain wide open. Always. I finally changed my settings to the defaults in my owners manual. I contested with both hands on the keyboard. I worked the weak stations with no difficulty and the strong ones with no pain. I do not expect every improvement to be useful to me. Everyone configures and uses their K3 differently. I am very impressed that Elecraft is able (and willing) to keep improving our equipment. I have never regretted buying anything from them.

-Robby
VY2SS

[Tim Herrick]

Did anyone notice more than normal hum on signals? I don't think it was the new settings as some stations had it, most didn't but I
would just like to make sure it wasn't just me.

I also run with the gain wide open and while running stations would get the loud one that would blow my ear drums. I didn't' try
returning the settings to defaults. But I am still searching for good settings.

73,
Tim Herrick, KQ8M
Charter Member North Coast Contesters
[hidden email]

K3 Serial #5934

AR-Cluster V6 kq8m.no-ip.org
User Ports: 23, 7373  with local skimmer, 7374 without local skimmer
Server Ports: V6 3607, V4 Active 3605, V4 Passive 3606

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Robby.VY2SS
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:27 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked on big pile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

I had limited time available for the WPX and operated as VF2A. I loaded v4.51
beta before the contest to try it out. I tried the settings mentioned above
before the contest. I cannot imagine using them. I cannot imagine spending
the entire contest with my hand on the  gain controls to prevent serious ear
damage. I run my RF gain wide open. Always. I finally changed my settings to
the defaults in my owners manual. I contested with both hands on the
keyboard. I worked the weak stations with no difficulty and the strong ones
with no pain. I do not expect every improvement to be useful to me. Everyone
configures and uses their K3 differently. I am very impressed that Elecraft
is able (and willing) to keep improving our equipment. I have never
regretted buying anything from them.

-Robby
VY2SS

--
View this message in context:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Rev-4-51-firmware-what-AGC-settings-worked-on-big-pile-ups-with-loud-AND-weak-signals-in-the-WP
X-tp7556676p7556740.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[Ken Chandler]

Hi Steve et al
I operated 10m SB with Full K - Line, as M3i on Sunday.
My final setup which i like is
hld 2, Audio Lo, Pls off, Thr 10, Slp 12, Agc F, lim 30, F200, RF gain 2 - 1, Heil pro set cans, NB 1.7, dsp off. 400hz filter. 2.7 stock filters in both RX's.
Antenna SteppIR beam.
The weak signals shone through, I could pick out the JA and weak BA's over the EU crowd. NO CLICKS
The only noticeable effect i could detect was a distinct hollowness in QRQ running at 35wpm, but this could have been an effect of condx's,  the other thing was QRQ is disabled with RIT ON and defaults back to QSK!!

More testing this weekend during RSGB NFD and Region 1 FD for a tweak or too maybe but I'm reasonable satisfied.

regards


Ken..G0ORH / M3i

Sent from my iPhone 4


     


On 28 May 2012, at 15:12, "Steve Ireland" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> G'day
>
>
>
> Unfortunately my tower has been down for a couple of weeks now owing to a
> dead rotator and I missed out on playing around the new 4.51 version AGC
> settings in the WPX CW.  I'm sure those of us on the reflector who couldn't
> get on in the WPX CW would be very interested to see what worked out.
>
>
>
> Prior to the contest, at least one serious contester (K6LL) was going in
> with fast AGC, using the minimum of RF gain (no preamp) and the following
> menu settings:
>
>
>
> AGC Decay: soft
>
> Hld: 0.2
>
> Pls: nor
>
> Slp: 0
>
> Thr: 20
>
> F: 200
>
> AF lim: nor 030
>
>
>
> This seemed a pretty good set-up based on my own experience - be great to
> hear if these setting worked for both loud and weak signals and, if not,
> what did.  All comments would be appreciated!
>
>
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
>
> Vy 73
>
>
>
> Steve, VK6VZ
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[Thomas Horsten]

Hi all,

I also used the 4.51 firmware during the WPX test. Settings as default
except THR 10 and SLP 8. I worked a lot of weak stations (BA, JP, VK etc.)
near louder ones, from 15m down to 40m, and around a hundred EU stations on
80m. On 15 and 20m with PRE on, on 40m with PRE off and on 80m with ATT on,
and with the RF gain mostly turned all the way up except on 40 and 80.

It worked great and I was able to copy all stations who could copy me. I
love my K3.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 29 May 2012 16:04, Ken <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Steve et al
> I operated 10m SB with Full K - Line, as M3i on Sunday.
> My final setup which i like is
> hld 2, Audio Lo, Pls off, Thr 10, Slp 12, Agc F, lim 30, F200, RF gain 2 -
> 1, Heil pro set cans, NB 1.7, dsp off. 400hz filter. 2.7 stock filters in
> both RX's.
> Antenna SteppIR beam.
> The weak signals shone through, I could pick out the JA and weak BA's over
> the EU crowd. NO CLICKS
> The only noticeable effect i could detect was a distinct hollowness in QRQ
> running at 35wpm, but this could have been an effect of condx's,  the other
> thing was QRQ is disabled with RIT ON and defaults back to QSK!!
>
> More testing this weekend during RSGB NFD and Region 1 FD for a tweak or
> too maybe but I'm reasonable satisfied.
>
> regards
>
>
> Ken..G0ORH / M3i
>
> Sent from my iPhone 4
>
>
>
>
>
> On 28 May 2012, at 15:12, "Steve Ireland" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > G'day
> >
> >
> >
> > Unfortunately my tower has been down for a couple of weeks now owing to a
> > dead rotator and I missed out on playing around the new 4.51 version AGC
> > settings in the WPX CW.  I'm sure those of us on the reflector who
> couldn't
> > get on in the WPX CW would be very interested to see what worked out.
> >
> >
> >
> > Prior to the contest, at least one serious contester (K6LL) was going in
> > with fast AGC, using the minimum of RF gain (no preamp) and the following
> > menu settings:
> >
> >
> >
> > AGC Decay: soft
> >
> > Hld: 0.2
> >
> > Pls: nor
> >
> > Slp: 0
> >
> > Thr: 20
> >
> > F: 200
> >
> > AF lim: nor 030
> >
> >
> >
> > This seemed a pretty good set-up based on my own experience - be great to
> > hear if these setting worked for both loud and weak signals and, if not,
> > what did.  All comments would be appreciated!
> >
> >
> >
> > Many thanks!
> >
> >
> >
> > Vy 73
> >
> >
> >
> > Steve, VK6VZ
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[Vic Rosenthal]

Some 'suggested settings' include threshold = 20, which almost entirely turns off AGC,
except for a 'soft limiting' effect that kicks in on very loud signals. I certainly
wouldn't do this in a contest, when, as the post indicates, one does not want to keep
one's hand on the gain control. In fact, I wouldn't do this for almost any kind of operating.

Nevertheless, I think the wider range of threshold settings is useful.I have been setting
it to 12, and in my noisy location I find this a big improvement over the default of 8.

I only operated casually in the WPX, picking off needed band-countries by
search-and-pounce. I probably would have reduced the threshold even further if I were
spending hours running stations, to reduce fatigue.

On 5/29/2012 5:26 AM, Robby.VY2SS wrote:

> I had limited time available for the WPX and operated as VF2A. I loaded v4.51
> beta before the contest to try it out. I tried the settings mentioned above
> before the contest. I cannot imagine using them. I cannot imagine spending
> the entire contest with my hand on the  gain controls to prevent serious ear
> damage. I run my RF gain wide open. Always. I finally changed my settings to
> the defaults in my owners manual. I contested with both hands on the
> keyboard. I worked the weak stations with no difficulty and the strong ones
> with no pain. I do not expect every improvement to be useful to me. Everyone
> configures and uses their K3 differently. I am very impressed that Elecraft
> is able (and willing) to keep improving our equipment. I have never
> regretted buying anything from them.
>
> -Robby
> VY2SS

--
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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[Vic Rosenthal]

The noise blanker can roughen up signals.

On 5/29/2012 6:19 AM, KQ8M wrote:
> Did anyone notice more than normal hum on signals? I don't think it was the new
> settings as some stations had it, most didn't but I would just like to make sure it
> wasn't just me.
>
> I also run with the gain wide open and while running stations would get the loud one
> that would blow my ear drums. I didn't' try returning the settings to defaults. But I
> am still searching for good settings.
>
> 73, Tim Herrick, KQ8M Charter Member North Coast Contesters [hidden email]


--
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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[Tim Herrick]

I thought about that and kept it turned off most of the time. Oh well, I guess it was just me. Probably need to clean my ears out.

Tim Herrick, KQ8M
Charter Member North Coast Contesters
[hidden email]

AR-Cluster V6 kq8m.no-ip.org
User Ports: 23, 7373  with local skimmer, 7374 without local skimmer
Server Ports: V6 3607, V4 Active 3605, V4 Passive 3606


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Vic K2VCO
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 12:06 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked on big pile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

The noise blanker can roughen up signals.

On 5/29/2012 6:19 AM, KQ8M wrote:
> Did anyone notice more than normal hum on signals? I don't think it was the new
> settings as some stations had it, most didn't but I would just like to make sure it
> wasn't just me.
>
> I also run with the gain wide open and while running stations would get the loud one
> that would blow my ear drums. I didn't' try returning the settings to defaults. But I
> am still searching for good settings.
>
> 73, Tim Herrick, KQ8M Charter Member North Coast Contesters [hidden email]


--
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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[Andy Faber]

Robby,
  Another approach: at P49Y, I started with THR=15, SLP=0, but got blasted
by too many strong signals.  Turning down the THR to 12 helped.  I generally
did ride the RF gain control, but that helps in the pileups.
  73, andy ae6y
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robby.VY2SS" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Rev 4.51 firmware - what AGC settings worked on big
pile-ups with loud AND weak signals in the WPX?

>I had limited time available for the WPX and operated as VF2A. I loaded
>v4.51
> beta before the contest to try it out. I tried the settings mentioned
> above
> before the contest. I cannot imagine using them. I cannot imagine spending
> the entire contest with my hand on the  gain controls to prevent serious
> ear
> damage. I run my RF gain wide open. Always. I finally changed my settings
> to
> the defaults in my owners manual. I contested with both hands on the
> keyboard. I worked the weak stations with no difficulty and the strong
> ones
> with no pain. I do not expect every improvement to be useful to me.
> Everyone
> configures and uses their K3 differently. I am very impressed that
> Elecraft
> is able (and willing) to keep improving our equipment. I have never
> regretted buying anything from them.
>
> -Robby
> VY2SS
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Rev-4-51-firmware-what-AGC-settings-worked-on-big-pile-ups-with-loud-AND-weak-signals-in-the-WPX-tp7556676p7556740.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[Rick WA6NHC]

I didn't operate much over the weekend, but when I did, it was to try for a
DX station I need for band/mode (S3 signal, 4.51 beta).  

I gotta tell ya, when a LOUD (S9+) station came in 150 Hz below what I was
wanting to hear, it was only noticeable on the P3.  I never heard it and it
didn't degrade from the DX signal (which I didn't get anyway, oh well).

This is WAY beyond cool and WELL DONE Elecraft doesn't quite seem adequate.

Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: Vic K2VCO


The noise blanker can roughen up signals.


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