[Elecraft] K3 AGC settings w/ MCU 4.51

[Richard Lee]

Hello All,

I own a K3, am running MCU 4.51, and operate virtually 100% cw. With 
respect to MCU 4.51, I note that the software site says,


AGC IMPROVEMENTS: AGC threshold (CONFIG:AGC THR) can now be set much 
higher, and the AGC has better (more monotonic) response curves. Greatly 
improves signal clarity in pile-ups and other high-noise or dense-signal 
situations, especially with threshold set to 12 or higher. NR and 
Auto-Notch can be used at all threshold settings.


I set the AGC threshold up to 12 and find that stronger signals are too 
loud and strident, while weak signals are almost inaudible. I have the 
AGC decay on 'soft'; AGC hold on 0.00; AGC pls on 'nor'; AGC slp on 010, 
AGC F(ast) at 120.

I'd like to survey K3 users (using MCU 4.51) WHO ARE SERIOUS CW CONTEST 
OPS WHO LIKE TO RUN, as to their preferred AGC settings (all of them, 
not just threshold).

Thanks much for the input from the cw contesters who like to run!

73,
-Rich, W2EG


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[Elecraft] considering K3 purchase; choosing filters

[Richard Lee]

Hello all,

I'd appreciate some advice as to several matters of interest as I seriously
consider purchase of a K3. I have posted on and looked at the K3 Yahoo site
in
this regard as well as gotten some suggestions from other K3 owners. I am
presently using an Omni 6+, a US Interface Navigator, and an old AL-80A amp.
I operate almost exclusively cw, and enjoy some contesting. I very
occasionally like to dabble in SSB contests. I also occasionally work some
PSK31. I like N1MM, HRD, and the DX Lab suite. I am about to switch to Win7
64 bit OS.

First, I cannot afford the second RX. (I am not a 'big gun' contester
anyhow,
and am not presently interested in contesting with two receivers.) I was
contemplating the following EIGHT-pole filters: 2.8, 1.8 (or 1.5), 1.0 (or
maybe not if I got the 1.5), .5 (or .4), and .25. I have heard from some
that the 1.8 or 1.5 does just fine for SSB contesting (particularly in
conjunction with the high cut or SHIFT). Unless I'm mistaken, both these
filters are spec'd at 1.6 : 1 shape factor. I must say I am a bit worried
about the 1.5, especially, as being too narrow for good intelligibility.
However, if I opted for the 1.5, I might forego the 1.0 (which I
contemplated using for casual cw operation) and save some money. I've been
persuaded by comments on the Yahoo K3 group site that the EIGHT-pole 400 and
250 Hz filters are so close in bandwidth that it makes little sense to get
both. I have thus been considering the Inrad EIGHT-pole 500 Hz filter and
the EIGHT-pole 250 Hz filter. I like to run in cw contests when I can (40 is
my favorite band), and I find I am bothered sometimes by strong stations
starting up several hundred Hz from my established run frequency. As to the
.5 Inrad filter, does anyone know whether that comes with the exact same
board as Elecraft uses for, say, the 400 Hz filter? I appreciate your
advice.

On another topic, my computer has a com port, but no sound card (rather a
VIA
VT2010 chip on the motherboard); I was under the impression that I could
dispense with the Navigator for interfacing the K3 with the computer and the
software I like to use (as detailed above). Am I right about this? or will I
need (or benefit from continuing) to use my Navigator?

Thanks for any input/ comments.

73,
-Rich, W2EG


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