[Elecraft] KX1 Filter Explanation for Dummies

[Leigh L. Klotz, Jr WA5ZNU]

Burke,
You probably don't need to change the sidetone pitch.  If you like the 
way it sounds when you're sending CW, then it's probably fine.
Just remember to tune the received signal so it sounds like the sidetone 
pitch and you'll be OK when you crank the filter down to 1KHz or lower.
Below about 500Hz you'll notice some issues and will probably want to 
use RIT, but you can leave that for a later day once you get the current 
issue under control.
If you don't like the sidetone, tap the KX1 menu button and rotate the 
VFO knob until it says StP.  Press and hold the menu button and it will 
show the current sidetone pitch.  Rotate the VFO knob and listen to the 
pitch you like; 600 Hz is a good starting point.  Then tap the Menu 
button to exit.

You might like the one-page KX1 quick reference at 
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX1%20quick%20ref.pdf
Leigh/WA5ZNU
> Okay, that is exactly what I was looking for.  I might need to revist 
> the manual and the part about setting the sidetone frequency.  I can't 
> remember what I did.....
>  
> Thanks!
>  
> Burke
> http://N0HYD.com <http://n0hyd.com/>
>
> On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 11:08 PM, Leigh L. Klotz, Jr WA5ZNU 
> <Leigh at wa5znu.org <mailto:Leigh at wa5znu.org>> wrote:
>
>     Burke,
>     There are two issues:
>
>     1. When you set the sidetone frequency in the KX1 menus, you are
>     also choosing the offset at which you hear received signals.
>     So if you set it to 600 Hz, you'll be right on frequency with the
>     other station when the signal you hear is a 600 Hz tone.
>     You can match this tone by ear by goign back to the menu to StP or
>     StL (better since it doesn't accidently change StP) and listening
>     for the same pitch, within about 10 Hz. Once you get on the same
>     frequency, turning the filter down to about 1 Khz will cut out
>     most of the QRM and QRN and will give you a pleasant listening
>     experience.  If you're off frequency, the received signal will
>     fall outside the filter passband and you'll be treating it as you
>     would a QRM or off-frequency station, and it will be attentuated.
>
>     2. If you turn the filter below 1 Khz, and more prominently, below
>     500 Hz, the center frequency of the filter itself shifts down a
>     bit, so you may need to re-tune slightly to get the signal back to
>     full strength.  Unfortunately, if you do this, you'll also be
>     shifting your transmit frequency, so you can use the RIT feature
>     of the KX1 just to shift the received frequency and leave your
>     transmit frequency alone.  You probably won't need to do this
>     unless you need to crank the filter way down, as in a contest, or
>     with a very noisy band.  So you can safely ignore this for now and
>     use the filter at about 1 Khz until you feel the need to learn more.
>
>     Does this answer your question, or do you have a different issue
>     that I've misunderstood?
>
>     Leigh/WA5ZNU
>     KX1 #712
>
>         Okay, so now that I am actually using my KX-1, I need some
>         help.  I am
>         really a newbie when it comes to this stuff.
>
>         Can someone please give me an explanation (at a basic level)
>         of how you are
>         actually supposed to use the filter on the KX-1?
>
>         If I am listening to a signal, and then turn the filter, I
>         seem to lose the
>         signal.  Is this because I am not tuned exactly to that signal?
>
>         Thanks for being patient, someday it will all make sense.
>
>         Burke Jones
>         N0HYD
>         http://N0HYD.com <http://n0hyd.com/> <http://n0hyd.com/>
>         Olathe, KS
>         _
>
>
>