Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Keep your electronic manual copies on Dropbox. That way you only have one copy, but it appears on all your PCs and devices. Thanks, Wayne, for the pointers. There were a couple in there I had actually overlooked in my KX2. I'm a long-time user of the K3/K3s, and I just learned recently how to set up the memories to use them as band selectors. I'm currently surprised and pleased to discover new things about my Elecraft gear. You do indeed, 'delight the user'. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE Original Message Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked... From: K8TE Date: Thu, December 06, 2018 3:25 pm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Don makes an excellent point regarding new firmware release notes. Unlike other manufacturers, Elecraft manuals in PDF allow us to make notes with Acrobat Reader. If pertinent, I update my manuals with release notes. That reinforces the changes, even if briefly. However, when I look in the manual for a specific function, I will likely see the note with the most current information. RTFM is a popular acronym today. It also implies the "M" (manual) is current. It's our, IMHO, responsibiliy to keep our manuals current. We can even add our own notes, like lessons learned. Once updated, I save mine by adding "Annotated" to the original filename. I also keep copies on any computer I might use with the gear, especially ones I take on-the-road. 73, Bill, K8TE Lots of Elecraft in the Shack and Backpack -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n8...@arrl.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
As to firmware updates, when doing a firmware update, also print out the release notes and insert them into your manual. Now, you have an updated manual. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 12/6/2018 2:25 PM, K8TE wrote: Don makes an excellent point regarding new firmware release notes. Unlike other manufacturers, Elecraft manuals in PDF allow us to make notes with Acrobat Reader. If pertinent, I update my manuals with release notes. That reinforces the changes, even if briefly. However, when I look in the manual for a specific function, I will likely see the note with the most current information. RTFM is a popular acronym today. It also implies the "M" (manual) is current. It's our, IMHO, responsibiliy to keep our manuals current. We can even add our own notes, like lessons learned. Once updated, I save mine by adding "Annotated" to the original filename. I also keep copies on any computer I might use with the gear, especially ones I take on-the-road. 73, Bill, K8TE Lots of Elecraft in the Shack and Backpack -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rmcg...@blomand.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Don makes an excellent point regarding new firmware release notes. Unlike other manufacturers, Elecraft manuals in PDF allow us to make notes with Acrobat Reader. If pertinent, I update my manuals with release notes. That reinforces the changes, even if briefly. However, when I look in the manual for a specific function, I will likely see the note with the most current information. RTFM is a popular acronym today. It also implies the "M" (manual) is current. It's our, IMHO, responsibiliy to keep our manuals current. We can even add our own notes, like lessons learned. Once updated, I save mine by adding "Annotated" to the original filename. I also keep copies on any computer I might use with the gear, especially ones I take on-the-road. 73, Bill, K8TE Lots of Elecraft in the Shack and Backpack -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
My bad. Yes, I need to update both the KX2 and KX3 manuals Wayne > On Dec 5, 2018, at 9:17 PM, Walter Underwood wrote: > > Yeah, it is kind of weird that the KX3 specs still say it is a 12 W radio, > but when you look at the right firmware release, it is a 15 W radio under > certain circumstances. > > The manual could use an update, since it has been almost exactly a year since > the last firmware release. > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > >> On Dec 5, 2018, at 9:10 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> >> Folks, >> >> One thing has become abundantly clear - the Firmware Release Notes are an >> extension of the manual. Pay attention to them. >> If you do not know where to find any but the latest, look in the K3/KX3/KX2 >> Utility Help files - there is a complete list there. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
The autonotch is one feature that I have not found to be all that useful with my K3. After this message from Wayne I decided to try it again and find it is better than I last remembered. However, on 75/160m where signals are usually quite strong there is a considerable amount of distortion on the received SSB audio when using the autonotch. On these bands I always have the preamp off and attenuator on plus the RF Gain is dialed back to about the two o'clock position on these two bands. If I must get rid of a carrier such as from a group of AM ops 2 kHz away, I'll mostly simply adjust the Hi-cut down to 2.05 kHz which usually cuts off enough of the carrier to where it is not objectionable. Otherwise I must use the manual notch and possibly chase carriers from the round table of boat anchors that don't land on exactly 1945 kHz when I am on 1947 kHz. The distortion effect is along the lines of the autonotch aggressively searching for carriers to notch and it trying to suppress voice peaks. Perhaps the algorithm could be tweaked to lengthen the time the autonotch uses to determine a sine wave carrier as opposed to a voice peak. 73, Nate, N0NB -- "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true." Web: http://www.n0nb.us GPG key: D55A8819 GitHub: N0NB __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Yeah, it is kind of weird that the KX3 specs still say it is a 12 W radio, but when you look at the right firmware release, it is a 15 W radio under certain circumstances. The manual could use an update, since it has been almost exactly a year since the last firmware release. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 5, 2018, at 9:10 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Folks, > > One thing has become abundantly clear - the Firmware Release Notes are an > extension of the manual. Pay attention to them. > If you do not know where to find any but the latest, look in the K3/KX3/KX2 > Utility Help files - there is a complete list there. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 12/5/2018 8:24 PM, Jim Brown wrote: >> On 12/5/2018 10:55 AM, hawley, charles j jr wrote: >>> Set it with the compression on? It saves both? >> Settings in KX2, KX3, K3, and K3S are all saved automatically when you turn >> the radio off (but NOT when it loses power). When these radios lose power, >> they revert to the last saved settings when turned back on. >> Many settings for these rigs are saved by band, but since Wayne spends some >> of his available spare time tweaking the firmware to add features like that >> for more functions and more sets of operating conditions, you need to keep >> up the the changes when you load firmware updates, and/or study the Menu >> settings section of the latest version of the manual. > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Folks, One thing has become abundantly clear - the Firmware Release Notes are an extension of the manual. Pay attention to them. If you do not know where to find any but the latest, look in the K3/KX3/KX2 Utility Help files - there is a complete list there. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/5/2018 8:24 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 12/5/2018 10:55 AM, hawley, charles j jr wrote: Set it with the compression on? It saves both? Settings in KX2, KX3, K3, and K3S are all saved automatically when you turn the radio off (but NOT when it loses power). When these radios lose power, they revert to the last saved settings when turned back on. Many settings for these rigs are saved by band, but since Wayne spends some of his available spare time tweaking the firmware to add features like that for more functions and more sets of operating conditions, you need to keep up the the changes when you load firmware updates, and/or study the Menu settings section of the latest version of the manual. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
On 12/5/2018 10:55 AM, hawley, charles j jr wrote: Set it with the compression on? It saves both? Settings in KX2, KX3, K3, and K3S are all saved automatically when you turn the radio off (but NOT when it loses power). When these radios lose power, they revert to the last saved settings when turned back on. Many settings for these rigs are saved by band, but since Wayne spends some of his available spare time tweaking the firmware to add features like that for more functions and more sets of operating conditions, you need to keep up the the changes when you load firmware updates, and/or study the Menu settings section of the latest version of the manual. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Set it with the compression on? It saves both? Chuck Jack KE9UW Sent from my iPhone, cjack > On Dec 5, 2018, at 10:12 AM, Gerry leary via Elecraft > wrote: > > Hello everybody, I have found that at least in my KX three the equalizer > settings appear to be negated when I turn compression on. Even if I set them > really strangely with compression off, it goes back to whatever it was when I > turn compression on. So I guess what I’m trying to say is no matter what I do > with the equalizer, compression seems to negate it. > > Sent from my iPhone this time > > On Dec 4, 2018, at 10:14 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > Speech compression and EQ to get rid of the lower octaves of speech is a > wonderful thing, and can increase "talk power" significantly. My starting > point with TXEQ for maximum talk power is max cut of the three lowest bands > (-18dB), 6 dB cut of the fourth band, 3-6 dB of boost on the top two bands. > Do that BEFORE setting compression. > > But EXCESSIVE use of compression can be a very BAD thing. I'd be very > cautious about using more than an indicated 1-2 dB on voice peaks. It should > NOT be adjusted to a certain number on the CMP readout, but rather to the > meter that shows gain reduction. > > Once these settings are done, get signal reports from trained listeners, and > tell them to set their RX bandwidth fairly wide. > > These two settings -- good low cut of voice frequencies and 10 dB of > compression can increase talk power by 13 dB. That's multiplying your > effective TX power by 20! > > 73, Jim K9YC > >> On 12/4/2018 7:45 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Speech compression can add a lot of "punch" to your low-power signal, >> bringing up average voice power. As with the K3/K3S, our KX-line compression >> algorithm is exceptionally clean. Use the CMP switch on the KX3 (TX CMP menu >> entry on the KX2) to dial in compression of up to 30 dB. >> >> >> *** Receive and Transmit EQ *** >> >> 8-band graphic equalizers (MENU:RX EQ and TX EQ) can be used to tailor the >> receive and transmit audio to your liking. > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to gerrylear...@me.com > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to c-haw...@illinois.edu __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
At one point, CMP would reset whenever I changed bands on my KX3. I did an EEINIT and reloaded the config, which fixed it. Make sure you have a saved config before you EEINIT. The radio needs the config values to work properly. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 5, 2018, at 4:38 AM, Gerry leary via Elecraft > wrote: > > Hello everybody, I have found that at least in my KX three the equalizer > settings appear to be negated when I turn compression on. Even if I set them > really strangely with compression off, it goes back to whatever it was when I > turn compression on. So I guess what I’m trying to say is no matter what I do > with the equalizer, compression seems to negate it. > > Sent from my iPhone this time > > On Dec 4, 2018, at 10:14 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > Speech compression and EQ to get rid of the lower octaves of speech is a > wonderful thing, and can increase "talk power" significantly. My starting > point with TXEQ for maximum talk power is max cut of the three lowest bands > (-18dB), 6 dB cut of the fourth band, 3-6 dB of boost on the top two bands. > Do that BEFORE setting compression. > > But EXCESSIVE use of compression can be a very BAD thing. I'd be very > cautious about using more than an indicated 1-2 dB on voice peaks. It should > NOT be adjusted to a certain number on the CMP readout, but rather to the > meter that shows gain reduction. > > Once these settings are done, get signal reports from trained listeners, and > tell them to set their RX bandwidth fairly wide. > > These two settings -- good low cut of voice frequencies and 10 dB of > compression can increase talk power by 13 dB. That's multiplying your > effective TX power by 20! > > 73, Jim K9YC > >> On 12/4/2018 7:45 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Speech compression can add a lot of "punch" to your low-power signal, >> bringing up average voice power. As with the K3/K3S, our KX-line compression >> algorithm is exceptionally clean. Use the CMP switch on the KX3 (TX CMP menu >> entry on the KX2) to dial in compression of up to 30 dB. >> >> >> *** Receive and Transmit EQ *** >> >> 8-band graphic equalizers (MENU:RX EQ and TX EQ) can be used to tailor the >> receive and transmit audio to your liking. > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to gerrylear...@me.com > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Hello everybody, I have found that at least in my KX three the equalizer settings appear to be negated when I turn compression on. Even if I set them really strangely with compression off, it goes back to whatever it was when I turn compression on. So I guess what I’m trying to say is no matter what I do with the equalizer, compression seems to negate it. Sent from my iPhone this time On Dec 4, 2018, at 10:14 PM, Jim Brown wrote: Speech compression and EQ to get rid of the lower octaves of speech is a wonderful thing, and can increase "talk power" significantly. My starting point with TXEQ for maximum talk power is max cut of the three lowest bands (-18dB), 6 dB cut of the fourth band, 3-6 dB of boost on the top two bands. Do that BEFORE setting compression. But EXCESSIVE use of compression can be a very BAD thing. I'd be very cautious about using more than an indicated 1-2 dB on voice peaks. It should NOT be adjusted to a certain number on the CMP readout, but rather to the meter that shows gain reduction. Once these settings are done, get signal reports from trained listeners, and tell them to set their RX bandwidth fairly wide. These two settings -- good low cut of voice frequencies and 10 dB of compression can increase talk power by 13 dB. That's multiplying your effective TX power by 20! 73, Jim K9YC > On 12/4/2018 7:45 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > Speech compression can add a lot of "punch" to your low-power signal, > bringing up average voice power. As with the K3/K3S, our KX-line compression > algorithm is exceptionally clean. Use the CMP switch on the KX3 (TX CMP menu > entry on the KX2) to dial in compression of up to 30 dB. > > > *** Receive and Transmit EQ *** > > 8-band graphic equalizers (MENU:RX EQ and TX EQ) can be used to tailor the > receive and transmit audio to your liking. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to gerrylear...@me.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Speech compression and EQ to get rid of the lower octaves of speech is a wonderful thing, and can increase "talk power" significantly. My starting point with TXEQ for maximum talk power is max cut of the three lowest bands (-18dB), 6 dB cut of the fourth band, 3-6 dB of boost on the top two bands. Do that BEFORE setting compression. But EXCESSIVE use of compression can be a very BAD thing. I'd be very cautious about using more than an indicated 1-2 dB on voice peaks. It should NOT be adjusted to a certain number on the CMP readout, but rather to the meter that shows gain reduction. Once these settings are done, get signal reports from trained listeners, and tell them to set their RX bandwidth fairly wide. These two settings -- good low cut of voice frequencies and 10 dB of compression can increase talk power by 13 dB. That's multiplying your effective TX power by 20! 73, Jim K9YC On 12/4/2018 7:45 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Speech compression can add a lot of "punch" to your low-power signal, bringing up average voice power. As with the K3/K3S, our KX-line compression algorithm is exceptionally clean. Use the CMP switch on the KX3 (TX CMP menu entry on the KX2) to dial in compression of up to 30 dB. *** Receive and Transmit EQ *** 8-band graphic equalizers (MENU:RX EQ and TX EQ) can be used to tailor the receive and transmit audio to your liking. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] SSB Features of the KX2 & KX3 You May Have Overlooked...
Our KX2 and KX3 transceivers have many standard features targeted specifically
at SSB operation. Some are pretty much unheard of in other radios in this
class.
Just in case you missed them:
*** DVR (Digital Voice Recorder) ***
You can record and play back two 15 second DVR messages. These are especially
useful during contests or SOTA operation, allowing you to store a CQ message,
your call, or an exchange. To auto-repeat a played message, just hold the '1'
or '2' switch rather than tap it. The auto-repeat interval can be set using the
MSG RPT menu entry.
*** Speech Compression ***
Speech compression can add a lot of "punch" to your low-power signal, bringing
up average voice power. As with the K3/K3S, our KX-line compression algorithm
is exceptionally clean. Use the CMP switch on the KX3 (TX CMP menu entry on the
KX2) to dial in compression of up to 30 dB.
*** Receive and Transmit EQ ***
8-band graphic equalizers (MENU:RX EQ and TX EQ) can be used to tailor the
receive and transmit audio to your liking.
*** Built-In Mic (KX2) ***
The KX2 is the world's smallest all-HF-band, all-mode "HT". Using the built-in
mic, you can operate the KX2 like any handheld. Tap XMIT to transmit.
*** ESSB (Extended SSB) ***
If you're on a lightly used band and would like to experiment with
higher-quality audio, give ESSB a try. It allows you to transmit with a
passband of up to 4 kHz wide (wider than the usual maximum of about 2.8 kHz).
Typically ESSB is used at both ends of a QSO, by agreement of both operators.
(Again, make sure the additional bandwidth consumed doesn't interfere with
adjacent signals -- e.g., don't use it in a contest.)
*** Passband Low/High Cut ***
When interference is heavy, you can often eliminate it by cutting the low or
high end of the audio range. In SSB modes this low-cut/high-cut method is the
default. Use the PBT I/II controls on the KX3, or tap FIL on the KX2 and use
the two knobs above the switch.
*** Auto-Notch ***
If a carrier (sometimes called a "tuner-upper") appears, you can use remove it
using auto-notch. Hold the NTCH switch on the KX3, or hold APF-AN on the KX2.
*** Noise Reduction ***
NR on the KX2 and KX3 can be adjusted using a single knob function, from
completely a completely "dry" mix (no NR applied) to 100% "wet" (all NR). NR
can relieve the fatigue of listening to weak signals on a noisy band.
*** RIT (Receive Incremental Tuning) ***
Many small transceivers don't provide this important feature. It is often
called a "clarifier" because it allows you to tune in signals that are a bit
off-frequency. The beauty of RIT is that it only changes your *receive*
frequency, leaving your transmit frequency fixed. This is helpful if you're
having a conversation with more than one station at a time, where each signal
is a little off, such as on a net.
*** Stereo Audio and Dual Watch ***
The KX2 and KX3 are among very few radios that provide full stereo to the
headphone jack. You can use this to advantage during normal operation by
setting the AFX MD menu entry to "DELAY" -- this simulates stereo receive
audio, giving voice signals a warm, rich sound. In dual watch mode (MENU:DUAL
RX), you can listen to your VFO A and B frequencies at the same time, with VFO
spacing wide enough to work most SSB DX stations operating split.
*** Custom VFO Coarse Tuning Steps ***
Using the VFO CRS menu entry, you can select coarse VFO tuning steps
independently for each operating mode. In SSB mode, your choices are 0.1, 0.5,
1.0, and 2.5 kHz per step. The default is 0.5 kHz. Bonus feature: If the
OFS/VFO B knob is in the OFS setting (OFS LED lit), you can use the VFO B knob
to move VFO A in coarse steps while leaving the VFO A knob itself set for fine
steps (10 Hz).
*** CW-In-SSB Mode ***
There are times when you can't quite complete an SSB QSO due to fading, and
switching to CW has an advantage. With the CW-In-SSB feature turned on, you
don't even have to change modes: just hit the key or keyer paddle and start
sending. This feature is particularly useful on 6 meters with fleeting band
openings. Many of have successfully completed (or initiated) a cross-mode QSO
in this manner. To turn CW-in-SSB on, tap the PRE ('1') switch while in the CW
WGHT menu entry.
*** MIC Bias and Switch Configuration ***
Just about any mic with a 1/8th (3 mm) plug can be used with the KX2 or KX3. To
enhance versatility, you can turn mic bias on or off (MENU:MIC BIAS) and
specify whether your mic has no switches, PTT only, or PTT and VFO UP/DN
switches (like our model MH4). No PTT switch? Use VOX or the XMIT switch.
*** VOX (Voice Operated Relay) ***
This feature is missing from many small transceivers. It allows 100% hands-free
operation for vehicle/bike/pedestrian mobile, or just for operating convenience
with a headset/mic. You can turn VOX on/off, set the threshold, and dial in
just the right amount of anti-VOX (VOX INH menu entry) to keep
