[Elecraft] Tweak for phone?

[Ed Muns]

> I noticed when I tried to narrow the passband from the 2.7 
> nominal that the signals often decreased in intelligibility. 
> I used 1.8 K filters on my Yaesu FT 1K. I also notice I was 
> not tuning dead on to SSB signals, I seemed to be off to the 
> side emphasizing hi end response. I could hear as I swung 
> past the station where the more dead on was. I haven't 
> noticed that with other rigs. 
> 
> So I am asking:  Would the 1.8 help, and still maintain good 
> intelligibility? What other tweaks or changes have the list 
> members used for top phone performance. 

I have been using a 1.5 kHz bandwidth on SSB with the K3 for over 18 months
now.  In fact, I never use a wider bandwidth.  I think the intelligibility
is excellent.  The K3 has changed phone Sweepstakes from tortuous to
pleasant for me.  Unlike CW where WIDTH and SHIFT are handy, I only use HI
CUT, and occasionally LO CUT, on SSB.  To go from the default 2.8 kHz to 1.8
kHz on SSB, simply reduce HI CUT by 1000 Hz.  As I go further, I find that
around 1.6 kHz bandwidth, I like to increase LO CUT 50-100 Hz for optimum
intelligibility.  The 1.8 kHz (actual -6 dB BW is 1.9 kHz) crystal filter is
an excellent roofer for this application.  I use the narrower 1.5 kHz
crystal filter (actual -6 dB BW is 1.65 kHz), available from INRAD.

Ed - W0YK