[Elecraft] K3 Crackling audio with Noise Gate running

[Bill W5WVO]

Hi Lance,

I had exactly the same reports from local stations when I tried to use the 
feature. (I'm using a Heil dynamic ProSet plugged into the back.) After playing 
with various adjustments and finding none that would elimminate the distortion, 
I elected to turn TX Gate off and not use it.

Make sure, when you get reports of fan noise, that the reporter is listening to 
you at an appropriate level of RF gain (i.e., minimal AGC action). With a very 
strong signal, depending on the AGC with RF gain maxed will definitely cause the 
received audio level to soar between sentences, and any background noise becomes 
very noticeable, even though it is maybe 60 dB down from your voice peaks. Not 
much you can (or should have to) do about that. The TX Gate was a nice idea, but 
it is flawed IMO.

Bill W5WVO


Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:
> Hello Matt,
>
> TNX for your email!
>
> Matt Zilmer wrote:
>> Try adjusting the noise gate level up until the crackle disappears.
>> If you have it set too low, it doesn't seem to close quickly enough
>> with high background noise levels.
>
> I will continue to experiment with it, but it seems that I still have
> the crackling with it turned up to 25.  VY 73, Lance
>>
>> I had the same problem with a cooling fan behind me at an angle.
>> Works fine now.  The level here is 18.  Of course, YMMV.
>>
>> You can set the gate with CONFIG:TX GATE using instructions in the
>> owner's manual, on p59.
>>
>> 73,
>> matt W6NIA
>> K3 #24
>>
>> On Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:03:38 +0000, you wrote:
>>
>>> Howdy!
>>>
>>> I am using the Heil headset with the K3, and have the mic connected
>>> into the rear panel (the front panel connection was having RF
>>>    distortion) with the HIGH bias level. The Mic gain is less than
>>> 5 and the compression is 10.  The ALC is never out of
>>> the indicated range.
>>>
>>> With the TX GATE turned ON, I get reports of the audio sounding
>>> slightly distorted and there being "crackling noises".  I can hear
>>> these crackling sounds in between syllables when I turn up the
>>> monitor loud in the headphones.  All the crackling noises disappear
>>> when I turn off the TX GATE.  Do I have something adjusted wrong,
>>> or is it just natural to have the crackling noises and distortion
>>> when the TX GATE is on?  I would prefer to run without any
>>> distortion, but my loud blower is right behind me and it is strong
>>> into the mic like a jet plane in between syllables without the TX
>>> GATE.  Do I need to choose between the two evils?
>>>
>>> I would appreciate any guidance.  Thanks!  VY 73, Lance
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