[Elecraft] K3: Optimizing filter offsets for SSB TX and RX

[KM5Q]

Continued from:   [CQ-Contest] SOME THOUGHTS ON USING THE K3 ON SSB

Reading these messages, I decided I should try adjusting the offset  
for my 2.8 8-pole filter from the normal 0. I have been getting good  
audio reports, but not "excellent".

Listening during adjustment, I found that as I reached -.20 some high  
harshness was reduced. I thought that would be good, as I often find  
myself cutting back the HI passband to get a similar effect. Then I  
got on the Sunday Elecraft SSB Net. I couldn't get many opinions  
because propagation  was poor, but I had Phil NS7P give me his  
opinion. He reported the least distortion around offset -.20, and  
clearly an improvement over the 0 setting. So that's where I have it.  
It's an easy test to make, since you can transmit with the CONFIG  
window open.

Ever curious, I thought to play with my 2.1 filter offset (just for  
receiving of course). I never liked listening to SSB with it because  
the highs sounded harsh. As I turned it from the normal 0, down past -. 
20, it started to sound better. I preferred around -.40 until I  
checked it on a weak CW signal. It was making it weaker in comparison  
with the other filters. So I compromised and set it at -.27. I'm happy  
with that!

I think this is a good discovery! Maybe it's something the factory  
should look into?

Windy KM5Q
K3 #764


Bill W4ZV wrote:
> After extensive experiments with tx audio settings in pursuit of  
> "perfect
> audio" for my purposes - dxing on 80m - I came to the conclusion  
> that for my
> voice with the HC-4, an offset of -0.07 with the 2.8 kHz filter was  
> about
> right.