[Elecraft] K3, headphones, and audio limiting??

[Don Wilhelm]

Chuck,

The K3 does have an audio limiter whose level can be adjusted - it can 
be present when the AGC is off, there is a menu item to control it.

As far as the K2, try operating with AGC on, and the strong signals will 
be subdued.  Due to the slope of the K2 AGC response, you can still 
determine relative strength of signals with AGC on.  Reducing the IF 
passband width (tap the XFIL button) will help keep the AGC from pumping 
with the strong signals. (A narrow DSP filter [hold of AFIL button] in 
the K2 will not help with AGC pumping because the K2 AGC is in the audio 
stages, not at IF as in the K3).

If you did have AGC on with the K2, then you must have had the audio 
gain advanced much more than normal, and you mmight want to consider 
using a some back-to-back diodes across the headphone jack to serve as a 
limiter.

73,
Don W3FPR

callen1155 wrote:
> Hello folks.
>
> I was operating yesterday with my K2 using headphones.  I really prefer
> headphones for weak sigs and operating in general but on two occasions
> yesterday my ears were blasted due to a strong nearby signal. I finally
> resorted to an external speaker even though can't hear with that nearly as
> well (I already have greatly impaired hearing).
>
> So two questions:
>
> 1. Does the K3 have an 'audio limiter' that would prevent the above
> situation and does it work well?
>
>
> 2. This weekend was really my first contest so how does one approach such an
> event if you operate a rig (such as a K2) where in a flash the volume levels
> can vary greatly? Do you take the chance and use the headphones? Frankly,
> I'm very hesitant now to use the headphone with the K2 at any time.
>   
>