[Elecraft] QRM/QRN - normal? [K3]

[Paul at N4LCD.com]

>>DSP - T3-7
>>IF - NAR1
>
>>I'll have to start playing around with the NB settings more
>>often going forward.  I'm not sure what effect this might
>>have on a received signal however.  (didn't test that yet)
>>Are there any general guidelines for using NB? (i.e., DSP
>>versus IF, using only DSP, using both, etc.)
>
>Whatever works best is good. I have lots of local manmade noise and 
>I find that DSP T2-6 and NAR3 seems to work pretty well.
>
>You want to find a setting that will produce the best noise 
>reduction with acceptable signal distortion.
>
>In a contest or pileup situation when there are lots of strong 
>signals the optimum setting may be less aggressive.

I've found that being too aggressive on the DSP NR settings 
interferes with my ability to hear complete dits on weak CW signals. 
I'll get part of a dit and sometimes miss hearing the dit if the NR 
is too aggressive. Dahs aren't a problem to hear at all.  This is 
while using Extreme Isolation headphones. http://www.extremeheadphones.com/

I have tried the method suggested on this list of turning AGC off, 
turning down the AF gain, turning down the RF gain, and controlling 
audio level with the RF gain.  I usually run the BW at around 200 to 
300 cycles for weak CW signals, and around 100 or 50 cycles for 
strong CW signals. That combination works amazingly well.  Of course, 
with the AGC off, I can't use NR.  But I do have the narrow BW.

If I want to use NR, I have to turn on the AGC, and I can't tell much 
difference if any between slow and fast.  Then I use the lower NR 
settings, especially for weak signals.

At my relatively RF-quiet location, the NB doesn't appear to make any 
difference, and it shouldn't.

(500 cycle roofing filter installed.)

Playing with these settings while copying weak signal CW on 80m or 
40m is a pretty good test.

As others have noted, you can sometimes hear CW more clearly down in 
the noise by changing the sidetone frequency.

I haven't found any DSP solution to QRXYL yet.  But any suggestions 
are always welcome.

This is really interesting stuff and the K3 is quite configurable.

YMMV

Paul N4LCD