[Elecraft] K3 AGC and Apparent Noise and Signal Distortion

[Lance Wilson]

I have started a new thread on this as there are multiple threads that are
difficult to keep track of.

Today a number of other hams have also reported "noise", signal distortion
and other noise and signal issues that are a bit on the strange. The
discussion has been sidetracked by confusion on what "noise" exactly means.
I am in agreement with Don, W3FPR, that the receiver is not generating RF/IF
related noise as the K3 does not behave as if that were the case.

Those that have seen the same issues as I have all report similar symptoms,
specifically: 

1) "Noise" that is apparent with the AGC on 
2) Weak signal audio distortion (not 100% of the time)
3) fatigue from (1) and (2) above.

This has nothing to do with the S-meter as I have mentioned it only being
used as a relative indicator. ALL of the problems are solved with the AGC
off, presetting the audio level and using the RF gain control. My point
being that with a $2K+ radio the AGC should be working better than it is. I
will lay money that it is a firmware issue with the DSP portion of the AGC
circuit.

I have relayed all of this to Elecraft and they are first going to see if
they can duplicate what I, and some others, are seeing and then will proceed
further based on their observations.

Finally, this is not a AGC threshold related issue. I can vary it from 2 to
8 with no observed effect on what I am seeing. This again makes me believe
that something is going on here. This also could be related to only certain
K3's.

Lance, NR7N
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