[Elecraft] re: Optimum KDSP2 Settings

[sheajohnw at aol.com]

Snip
""The KDSP2 is a great option. I've been reluctant to embrace DSP from 
my experience with DSP from other radios but the KDSP2 has been great. 
I'm glad it's apart of my K2 kit - very good filtering. The default 
settings seem to be great but are there other settings that people 
recommend and use?""


I use the following settings (beta and decay) which some might find 
more pleasant than the default:

for SSB           97      07

for CW           97      30

All other DSP settings are at default.

I find that the default SSB setting is too watery sounding.  My 
preferred SSB setting reduces the watery distortion, but also exhibits 
less noise reduction.  I have not yet found a SSB setting with which I 
am fully satisfied and would be interested in hearing about other 
setting suggestions. I use DSP on SSB only when the background noise is 
high.

The CW setting reduces background noise, but also effects CW tone 
quality to a degree.  The DSP improvement in CW S/R ratio enables me to 
copy keyer generated code using MixW that I cannot copy with the DSP 
off on my K2/100 or copy on my IC-735.  Computer copying of CW works 
reasonably well on the K2/100 with DSP on when receiving strong and 
moderate strength machine keyed signals.  MixW will not copy signals 
just above the "mud" for me although such signals can usually be head 
copied.  MixW will not copy uneven hand sent code for me.

I greatly appreciate the DSP audio filters.  For CW or weak digital 
signals, I turn off the K2/100 AGC to eliminate AGC pumping and use 
narrow audio filters to supress nearby unwanted signals.  Varying 
signal strength is accommodated using RF gain.  Using the audio filters 
prevents the slight frequency shift between TX and RX that often occurs 
while using the crystal filters due to the DAC limitations.

HTH

73 de KB1IKD

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