[Elecraft] K3 performance - soft keying and linear key output

[Bill W4ZV]

I've just done some measurements with my K3... CW waveform rise and fall 
times are both 5 mS (and doesn't alter when the speed is changed with 
the internal keyer), which some would consider a bit soft - although my 
measured bandwidth for 20 wpm keying at 100 Watts of RF is +/- 500 Hz at 
70 dB below peak output, which is probably as clean as it gets.

        Elecraft has chosen not to allow users to adjust Rise/Fall times
although 
I suspect they remain open to input on the issue.  This is not necessarily
a bad thing!  The IC-7800, Orion and FT-2000 all allow adjustment, but
they ALL set default times that are guaranteed to generate key clicks.

        The problem seems to be that the stated Rise/Fall times in their 
menus are actually about twice actual.  Thus setting 5 ms in will generate
measured Rise/Fall times of ~3 ms and hence key clicks.  To tame Orion 
you must set 7-8 ms which generates an actual waveform with Rise/Fall 
in the area of 4 ms.

        Kudos to Elecraft for NOT shipping the K3 in a default state that is
guaranteed to cause key clicks!

                                                     73,  Bill  W4ZV
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