[Elecraft] KDSP2 settings

[AI4CQ ,James]

Dave, since it was not your intention for unfair "criticism of
Elecraft or the designer" I will attempt to give you an answer,.

First you are unlikely to find better settings than the default
settings so set them back to the default to check out your DSP.  You
will likely find that you do need to touch up the gain so the sound
output is the same with and without the NR.. If you can improve things
for your ears then do so but after you are check out the DSP with the
stock settings.  

Here is how I use the DSP on SSB.  I find that the noise reduction
works even better with the 2.5khz mod, than the stock filter.  First
as a check to see if your DSP is working, if you can tune in WWV then
do so, use the S1 wide filter. Tune this AM signal so the sound is
good on both USB and LSB without changing the frequency.  If you can't
do this then check your BFO settings.   When the time beeps are
accompanied by a tone, engaging the nt autonotch should dramatically
reduce the tone, just like it was a heterodyne.  You will most likely
have to toggle it on and off to be sure it is there.  This should
leave the voice almost unaffected.  This feature is first rate it can
save a QSO.  Now turn on the nr noise reduction and if you are
receiving a good signal then the voice quality will change, but it
should remain intelligible.  The background noise if any should
markedly reduce.  If your KCSP2 passes these tests it is likely
working properly.  If  not then you need to talk to support.

 I find it very difficult to tune in a SSB signal with the DSP turned
on.  I tune for a natural voice quality and the DSP does change the
natural quality of the voice.  I tune with the noise reduction off,
even if I have a difficult time with copy, I can still judge the
tuning better with the DSP off.  If the problem, with the copy is
background noise, then turning on the noise reduction, can make the
difference between copy and no copy.   Try the noise reduction on a
few good strong signals, and I think you will likely find that though
there is a change in the quality of the voice, it is still
intelligible.  Headphones can help a lot on poor signals, as it
eliminates room echos and reverbration.   Make your judgment of voice
quality on good signals, if you can copy good signals ok with the nr
on then the stock setting should work well for you.  Noise reduction
is a trade off between reducing the background noise and voice
quality.  To get maximum reduction of noise then you have to accept
the least voice quality which is still intelligible.  Likewise, if the
heterodyne is right in the middle, of important frequencies, then
removal of the heterodyne will also affect voice quality.  There isn't
any free lunch. but in that gray area, between copy and no copy, the
KDSP2 shines.  It isn't going to work every time, but like the girl
with the curl, when DSP works good, it can be, very, very good,  but
when it  works bad, DSP can be horrid.

I love my KDSP2 and I love it even more with the new firmware that
lets you toggle it on and off easily.  Thanks Lyle, Wayne and Eric.

'73 James AI4CQ





Hello All:

Wow!  I did not intend my request for settings and suggestions to be a
springboard for criticism of Elecraft or the designer.  Overall, I
think the
DSP is a good addition to my rig. I was asking for suggestions on
denoiser
settings to improve its performance and what worked best for different
people.

I never did get any of those, so I'll withdraw the request.

Thanks

Dave
VE6DRW
K2 S/N: 2171