[Elecraft] K3 noise reduction vs. Clear Speech speaker

[WS6X]

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Martin
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 5:55 AM
To: elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 noise reduction vs. Clear Speech speaker

> Somebody recently was asking if anyone has compared K3 NR with external NR
> systems. I just did, again.
>


Windy, Dave,

The search for the best DSP NR system is at least as subjective as most of
the other aspects of rig comparisons. I have used many units from different
manufacturers over the years, and am still looking for the "perfect" one.

I used the JPS NIR-10 through several FW upgrades, two different versions of
the MFJ (too lazy to look up the model), the third production run of the
Clear Speech, the same after Heil took over, GAP and Timewave products, and
the internal wizardry from ICOM, Yaesu, Kenwood, Flex and Elecraft. One
thing is apparent to me . . . no single process is equally effective with
all modes and operating conditions. One algorithm may be clearly superior
today on 20 CW, but a few hours later, can't hold a candle to another
process on 75 M phone.

Most importantly, it is the "eyes (ears) of the beholder" which will
determine the usefulness of any product. For example, my first Clear Speech
outboard box to my ears was so horrible I couldn't stand to listen to it.
The digital artifacts were louder than the signal! Yet I sold that box to a
local ham who did extensive listening tests before he forked over the cash.
He never once heard any of the Luke Skywalker effects that drove me batty!

As a nearly exclusive CW operator, I have found -- or should I say,
according to my ears -- one of the very best DSP NR systems was in my old
FT-920. That was, and still is the standard I use to compare other NR
systems.

With my current radios -- K3 and Flex-5000A -- and for my operating
preferences, I find the NR to be quite useful. Over-all I give the nod to
the K3. I know many have said they can't stand it, but I use it nearly 100%
of the time. On 160 M, from my tiny city lot, with very high EMI levels, and
only a rotating flag for RX, the K3 NR had made the difference between QSO
and no QSO many, many times.

This is not meant to be a put-down, just a different perspective on the K3
NR's usefulness. For me, it's a life saver! :)

73,

Jim, WS6X

BTW: Dave, I lived in the Goshen area for 15 years. I suspect we may have a
number of common, "old geezer" acquaintances!