[Elecraft] K3: TX audio setup
Franki ON5ZO
I don't do SSB very often and it's the first time I try this mode with the
K3. I'm setting up for next weekend.
I have a K3 and talk into a HC4 mic element connected to a microHAM MK2R+.
This then drives an ACOM 1000.
First off, my audio sounds 'smurfified' through the monitor. I have no other
way to describe it. On the air sollicited audio reports are not flattering,
Another thing I noticed (compared to my TS-850) is that the K3's and amp's
power meters do not give much deflection unless I shout.
I've been fiddling all day and begging reports but the best report I got was
"no highs, no low, only mid range".
Here's what I have: MIC gain = 4, compression = 1, TXG-VCE = 1.5dB, and TX
EQ = flat.
I'm not interested in HiFi audio, I just want clean and sharp modulation for
contesting. I'm not used to bad audio reports with the TS-850 which does not
have a lot of parameters (didn't even use compression on that rig) so I hope
someone has some advice on what parameters to tweak the K3 for success.
TNX / 73 de Franki ON5ZO = OQ5M
http://on5zo.spaces.live.com/
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Barry N1EU
Franki, this is what I'm using now with a HC5 element into the rear (rP.H)
jack:
mic: 30
cmp: 20
TX EQ .20 +5
TX EQ .40 +2
TXG-VCE = 2.0dB
The K3 monitor is quite good and should enable you to tailor your tx audio
as desired while you adjust the controls in real time.
73 & look for you next weekend,
Barry N1EU
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Franki ON5ZO
mic: 30
cmp: 20
TX EQ .20 +5
TX EQ .40 +2
TXG-VCE = 2.0dB
Now if I push the PTT I get the sound of a 747 taking off and full scale
deflection on the power meter... without even talking!
Per ON4WIX's advice I then tried:
CONFIG:TXG VCE: +2.5 dB
Mic gain: 15
Comp: 16
TX EQ: as flat as a pancake
Now I can PTT and it remains silent... until I say 'test', then the jet
takes off again. As if someone taps a large sheet of metal. My last on air
report talked about 'metallic audio', which is about how it sounded with my
original parameters too.
So not quite there yet...
- ON5ZO
Dave G4AON
On the UK Elecraft net (SSB) there are users with several different
microphone types and occasionally someone will call with poor TX audio.
In every case they have been successful in improving the audio to the
point where good audio is the norm and a K2 caller is easy to pick out.
The usual problems, in no particular order, appear to be:
Poor screening of the microphone cable, poor grounding, or high RF
levels in the shack (there was a problem with some front panel
microphone sockets and grounding, check back through the archive).
Lack of adjustment of the TX equaliser, compression, or microphone level.
Talking close to a microphone not fitted with a foam breath "pop" filter.
A setting of 1 for compression is very low. The microphone gain also
seems low. TXG-VCE of -1.5 dB is quite normal, if you are using 1.5 dB
of gain it is probably going to produce excessive drive on SSB compared
to CW levels.
I am not sure why you are using a microham interface, an ordinary and
cheap computer headset plugged into the rear of the K3 often sounds
incredibly good, some of the stations on the net use headsets in the $1
to $20 range with very good quality audio. Gaming headsets are a current
favourite for their comfort. One station uses a Heil Goldline microphone
but with the normal insert switched in (not the HC4/5). A Kenwood MC-43S
fist mic, as used on your TS-850, also sounds good - I have one but it
sometimes results in reports of the PTT lever creaking! My current
favourite microphone is a Sony one normally used for home studio
recording with DAT recorders and similar, I use a low cost microphone
boom/floor stand and a low cost foot switch. Almost any microphone can
be made to sound good with a K3, especially with a little tweaking of
the equaliser.
Call into the net in the morning and we will see what everyone thinks
and suggests!
73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80, Acom 1000.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
<SNIP>
I don't do SSB very often and it's the first time I try this mode with the
K3. I'm setting up for next weekend.
I have a K3 and talk into a HC4 mic element connected to a microHAM MK2R+.
This then drives an ACOM 1000.
First off, my audio sounds 'smurfified' through the monitor. I have no
other
way to describe it. On the air sollicited audio reports are not flattering,
Another thing I noticed (compared to my TS-850) is that the K3's and amp's
power meters do not give much deflection unless I shout.
I've been fiddling all day and begging reports but the best report I got
was
"no highs, no low, only mid range".
Here's what I have: MIC gain = 4, compression = 1, TXG-VCE = 1.5dB, and TX
EQ = flat.
<SNIP>
Dave G4AON
From an earlier post to the Reflector I made...
There have been various comments on the SSB audio from the K3 in recent
times. I use a Kenwood MC-43S dynamic fist microphone with some
compression and equalisation. I was in QSO this morning and the station
I was working was very impressed with the audio, without prompting he
said the audio was beautiful and sounded very nice.
Settings:
Mic gain: 30
Compression: 20
Equaliser: 50 Hz -8dB, 100 Hz -4dB, 200 Hz 0dB, 400 Hz +2dB, 800 Hz
+2dB, 1.6 KHz +5dB, 2.4 KHz +7dB, 3.2 KHz +2dB.
I have a fairly deep gravelly voice, so wasn't really expecting such
compliments!
73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80
Joe Subich, W4TV
> I have a K3 and talk into a HC4 mic element connected to a
> microHAM MK2R+. This then drives an ACOM 1000.
Be sure you do not have "Mic Bias" turned on in the K3. Bypass
the radio preamp in MK2R+ and enable the preamp for recording to
the "soundcard." Applying bias (DC) to a dynamic element
will reduce output - particularly lows.
Joe Subich, W4TV
> Now I can PTT and it remains silent... until I say 'test',
> then the jet takes off again. As if someone taps a large
> sheet of metal.
Open the Foster plug and clip the wire attached to Pin 8 (center).
Elecraft connect pin 7 (mic ground) and pin 8 (PTT ground) in
parallel and use a single RF choke to ground. This causes a
"pin 1" common mode RFI problem because PTT and microphone
circuits are "mixed."
If the PTT ground wire is cut in the microHAM cable, PTT ground
will use the shield of the cable which is connected directly to
the chassis (shell of the Foster). Separating the PTT and mic
grounds will work around (bypass) the common choke.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft...@mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Franki ON5ZO
> Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 12:40 PM
> To: elec...@mailman.qth.net
Barry N1EU
Franki ON5ZO wrote:
>
>
> I have a K3 and talk into a HC4 mic element connected to a microHAM MK2R+.
>
I missed this in my original response. I would bypass the microHAM
temporarily and plug the HC4 directly into the K3 rear panel mic jack (mic
sel = rP.H) as an initial troubleshooting step with some of the suggesting
settings that have been posted.
Barry N1EU
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_______________________________________________
Geoffrey Downs
If you try setting up the audio without the MicroHam first, you'll know if
its that giving problems.
You don't say if you have the K3 mic gain on the High or Low setting (Main
menu) and whether or not you've set the mic gain in accordance with the
manual Page 28 (Revision D1) whilst looking at the alc meter. The HC4 and
HC5 mics have low output compared with many mics so you need to be prepared
to turn the gain up quite high, but it all depends on the strength and
pitch of your voice. I use both of them and I think it almost certain that
you should have the mic gain on the H setting for those mics. Then follow
the procedure on p 28 of the Manual.
As regards compression I have found that with my voice, around 15 is a good
level for dx working to give punch without sounding overprocessed.
As regards TXG VCE, I have found that above about +1.5db the output does not
increase much so I have it at that level like you. At that level the K3
seems to drive my amplifier about right.
The equaliser is the icing on the cake and you can play with it once
everything else is right. The monitor is ok but I've found you get a clearer
idea of what it sounds like if you record yourself and listen to it after. I
get my computer to listen to me on another rx and record it that way. Not
only will you hear your voice but you'll also get a feel for how loud the
background noise is. If it's too loud it could mean that the mic gain and/or
the compression should be turned down a bit.
Hope this helps
73 to all
Geoff
G3UCK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Franki ON5ZO" <on...@telenet.be>
To: <elec...@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 5:40 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] RE: K3: TX audio setup
Franki ON5ZO
microHAM. Thank you all!
Executing W4TV's advice solved the problem:
> Elecraft connect pin 7 (mic ground) and pin 8 (PTT ground) in
> parallel and use a single RF choke to ground. This causes a
> "pin 1" common mode RFI problem because PTT and microphone
> circuits are "mixed."
A single cut gave me pristine audio in the monitor and on the air as
confirmed by a local volunteer. Settings now:
MIC GAIN = 30, COMP = 20, TX EQ 0.05=+6, 0.10 = +4, 0.20 = +2, 1.60 = +2,
2.40 = +4, 3.20 = +6. I might tweak the EQ some more later.
TNX again y'all!
- Franki ON5ZO = OQ5M
Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
Were you able to fix your SSB audio problem?
One area you might want to check is what you have the SSB filter offset
set for. If you have the 2.8 kHz filter, this offset should be zero. If
it is the 2.7 kHz filter, this offset is usually in the -0.80 to -.90 ,
with most set for -.85.
What is your SSB filter offset set to in the K3 menu?. If it is
incorrect, that will cause the muffled audio reports.
73, Eric WA6HHQ