[Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation

[Jim Cox]

I use the Heil ICM which has the electret element but still have to use a 
good bit of compression or the average power is very low.  Otherwise local 
stations will comment my audio is low and need more mic gain.
Jim K4JAF


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ab2tc" <ab2tc at arrl.net>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 : SSB modulation


>
> BTW, the recommended Heil element for the K3 is the "IC" electret element.
> This is what I am using with my proset. I am very surprised about the lack
> of punch you experience with the K3 transmitter.
>
> AB2TC - Knut
>
>
> Laurent HAAS - F6FVY wrote:
>>
>> Hi
>>
>> We are the proud owners of 6 K3/100 used at the FY5KE contest station.
>> These radios has been delivered around mid-2008 and their serial numbers
>> are in the 012xx range.
>>
>> After using mostly these rigs for SSB contesting in FY5KE or in other
>> places, we are still facing a lack of "dynamics", "punch",
>> "penetration", "power", whatever you call it. In other words, when
>> comparing this rig to our radios we previously used (TS-850), with the
>> same microphone (Heil HC-4 element) and the same output RF power, the K3
>> is clearly way behind in term of "average power" we can read on the Bird
>> wattmeter wired on its RF output. Even if observing the wattmeter needle
>> is not a very scientific measurement (we admit it), various comparative
>> reports on the air do confirm our feeling.
>>
>> We spent time on various available settings (mic gain, compressor level,
>> etc), with no luck, excepted a very distorted and awful audio to roughly
>> reach the same level, which is not acceptable.
>>
>> After a little Googling, it appears that other contesters suffers the
>> same issue (e.g. www.bavarian-contest-club.de/projects/K3_english.pdf
>> pages 6 and 10).
>>
>> Some questions :
>>
>> - Do other contesters (or not) here have noted the same problem ?
>> - What settings did you modified (or not) to achieve a good result ?
>> - Is there any possible HW or SW upgrade we aren't aware of, that could
>> help us ?
>>
>> We must confess we are currently preparing our next contest season, and
>> we are seriously considering reselling these radios and bring others
>> Japanese models if we can't solve this problem, despite we really
>> appreciate them in many other aspects (size, weight, etc.).
>>
>> 73
>>
>> For the FY5KE/Win-Test team,
>>
>> Larry - F6FVY
>> <snip>
>>
>
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