[Elecraft] K3 Kenwood mic question

[Bill W5WVO]

Dave K6LL opined:

> ... two days ago I turned all that stuff off
> and checked into the local net with eq flat,
> essb turned off, and using the 2.7 filter. The
> local guys (very attentive and critical audio
> observers) spontaneously reported that
> whatever I had done to the audio, it sounded
> excellent, and had great DX punch.

I've had exactly the same reaction from 98% of the hams who have
listened to my 6m SSB signal. I've taken these numerous
unsolicited comments to heart and have kept my hands off the audio
settings. :-)  (BTW, I'm using a Heil ProSet with the HC5
element.)

Having said that, I know a couple of non-K3 guys who (using
whatever rigs they have) are always a little harder to copy under
adverse conditions because their voices are heavy in the bass
register with attenuated high-frequency overtones. I can see the
K3's TXEQ being an outstanding solution for guys like that.

Finally, I think the K3's compression model is simply outstanding.
In all the on-air tests I've done with other guys, they say that
the K3 compression, when adjusted as per the K3 manual, renders
the audio much stronger and more intelligible with absolutely no
distortion that can be perceived by ear.

The K3's designers have done an outstanding job of tailoring the
transmit audio capabilities of this radio to a very high level of
quality. IMO, the K3 raises the bar on SSB TX audio quality, with
or without ESSB. :-)

Bill W5WVO