[Elecraft] K3 Narrowing the filters on SSB

[Tony Fegan VE3QF]

Hi Don,

    Thanks for the reply. I do use the Hi-Cut for reducing from 2.7KHz 
to about 1.8KHz with no problem. When you go much narrower the 
intelligence is improved by raising the low cut frequency (especially 
with low side QRM). Now you have to juggle with the Lo and Hi-Cut to 
squeeze out the maximum intelligence. I would have preferred positive 
detent style encoders for these controls.
    A firmware change (SSB) to move the filter centre frequency down as 
the "Width" control is reduced would mean this can be accomplished with 
one knob. I understand this is being considered.
    The present Lo-Cut step is a little coarse. I would prefer a step 
size of 50Hz. This is important when you get close to 500Hz on very 
narrow bandwidths. A low-Cut of 450Hz is still copyable but at 500Hz 
there is a big reduction in intelligibility. Of course, voice 
characteristics and your own ears make a big difference too.
    It is possible to shift the steps by 50Hz but you have to move the 
width control by 100Hz to do it.
    Part of my problem is that I have poor eyesight and not much feeling 
in the tips of my fingers. When I make an adjustment, the display has 
gone back to VFO before I can read it...... The processor between my 
ears is an old model with not much memory...... A while back, I used to 
have senior moments but not any more...... Now I have non-senior moments 
and unfortunately not too many of those.....! But the main thing is we 
still have fun and the K3 sure helps in a big way in that department.

73
    Tony Fegan VE3QF

Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Tony,
>
> To reduce the width on SSB, try just using Hi Cut instead of the width 
> and shift controls.  Normally when reducing the SSB filter width, the 
> low end should be near 300 Hz (the K3 uses 250 by default). Keeping 
> the low frequency corner of the SSB filter fixed at 350 to 300 Hz 
> preserves intelligibility as the highs are reduced with the Hi Cut 
> control - try it, you might like it better than fussing with the Width 
> and Shift controls - I do it that way all the time, no need to adjust 
> the low end unless the filter is VERY narrow (less than 1400 Hz = Hi 
> Cut at 1650 Hz)
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Tony Fegan VE3QF wrote:
>>    I am eagerly awaiting the firmware change that will shift the 
>> filter centre (on SSB) as it is narrowed. This will make the filter 
>> adjustment on SSB way more convenient.
>>
>


Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Tony,
>
> To reduce the width on SSB, try just using Hi Cut instead of the width 
> and shift controls.  Normally when reducing the SSB filter width, the 
> low end should be near 300 Hz (the K3 uses 250 by default). Keeping 
> the low frequency corner of the SSB filter fixed at 350 to 300 Hz 
> preserves intelligibility as the highs are reduced with the Hi Cut 
> control - try it, you might like it better than fussing with the Width 
> and Shift controls - I do it that way all the time, no need to adjust 
> the low end unless the filter is VERY narrow (less than 1400 Hz = Hi 
> Cut at 1650 Hz)
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Tony Fegan VE3QF wrote:
>>    I am eagerly awaiting the firmware change that will shift the 
>> filter centre (on SSB) as it is narrowed. This will make the filter 
>> adjustment on SSB way more convenient.
>>
>
>