[Elecraft] RE: K3: TX audio setup

[Geoffrey Downs]

Franki,

If you try setting up the audio without the MicroHam first, you'll know if 
its that giving problems.

You don't say if you have the K3 mic gain on the High or Low setting (Main 
menu) and whether or not you've set the mic gain in accordance with the 
manual Page 28 (Revision D1) whilst looking at the alc meter. The HC4 and 
HC5 mics have low output compared with many mics so you need to be prepared 
to turn the gain up quite high,  but it all depends on the strength and 
pitch of your voice. I use both of them and I think it almost certain that 
you should have the mic gain on the H setting for those mics. Then follow 
the procedure on p 28 of the Manual.

As regards compression I have found that with my voice, around 15 is a good 
level for dx working to give punch without sounding overprocessed.

As regards TXG VCE, I have found that above about +1.5db the output does not 
increase much so I have it at that level like you. At that level the K3 
seems to drive my amplifier about right.

The equaliser is the icing on the cake and you can play with it once 
everything else is right. The monitor is ok but I've found you get a clearer 
idea of what it sounds like if you record yourself and listen to it after. I 
get my computer to listen to me on another rx and record it that way. Not 
only will you hear your voice but you'll also get a feel for how loud the 
background noise is. If it's too loud it could mean that the mic gain and/or 
the compression should be turned down a bit.

Hope this helps

73 to all

Geoff
G3UCK




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Franki ON5ZO" <on5zo at telenet.be>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 5:40 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] RE: K3: TX audio setup


> OK Barry N1EU, I just set these parameters to your values:
>
> mic: 30
> cmp: 20
> TX EQ .20 +5
> TX EQ .40 +2
> TXG-VCE = 2.0dB
>
> Now if I push the PTT I get the sound of a 747 taking off and full scale 
> deflection on the power meter... without even talking!
>
> Per ON4WIX's advice I then tried:
>
> CONFIG:TXG VCE: +2.5 dB
> Mic gain: 15
> Comp: 16
> TX EQ: as flat as a pancake
>
> Now I can PTT and it remains silent... until I say 'test', then the jet 
> takes off again. As if someone taps a large sheet of metal. My last on air 
> report talked about 'metallic audio', which is about how it sounded with 
> my original parameters too.
>
> So not quite there yet...
>
> - ON5ZO
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