[Elecraft] K3 AGC adjustment and "ear recovery time"

[ni0c]

The lowband season is well underway, and I'm 
really enjoying it with my new K3.  I'm enjoying 
the low pitch CW capability (my current setting
is 320 Hz), and the 400 Hz 8-pole roofing filter 
that I use most of the time.  

In my rather noisy inner suburban location, I'm 
using both the noise blanker and DSP NR 
functions to pull out the weak ones.  In 
conjunction with all these great DX tools, I've 
been experimenting with the AGC SLP and THR
adjustments in light of earlier discussions on 
this reflector.  A simple archive search on AGC
SLP yielded much food for thought.

Thanks to Lyle Dunlap  and Jack Smith for their
technical information; also to Fred, KT5X, for the
useful suggestion on assigning the SLP and THR
adjustments to the PF1 and PF2 keys.  

I have this theory that for lowband DX work, 
especially on 80 and 160 meters, that a low 
threshold combined with a flattened characteristic
(high SLP value) might help the ears in dealing 
with the huge disparity in signal levels between 
the DX and the QRM.  I've noticed that my ears 
seem to have a recovery time from the blast from 
loud signals encountered when a loud DX cop is 
interfering, or when I switch back to my Rx VFO 
after checking the pileup on the Tx frequency. A 
flat AGC response seems to help a lot. 

Perhaps others have some thoughts or theories 
on this?  At any rate, I'm so pleased to have a 
radio where these AGC parameters are adjustable!

73,

Chuck Guenther  NI0C
St. Louis, MO

K2/10 s/n 5853
K3/100 s/n 1061
   

      

    
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