[Elecraft] K3: Contesters using N1MM voice keyer versus K3DVK

[Andy Faber]

Fred,
  I agree regarding the K3 messages, which I enjoy using, mainly because you 
can easily rerecord them and they sound the same as speaking into the radio 
normally.  In my software, CQPWIN, I can actuate them from the function 
buttons.  This works well because I have the software calibrate the length 
of each message, so it can do repeats properly, and also insert a variable 
delay, which I found necessary to notch out the small dead time I usually 
seem to put into the message due to button pushing when they are recorded. 
With those two additions, using the K3s messages is completely transparent.
  73, andy ae6y

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Fred Jensen" <k6dgw at foothill.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2011 10:54 AM
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Contesters using N1MM voice keyer versus K3DVK

> On 9/3/2011 6:55 PM, Buck k4ia wrote:
>> The advantage of the N1MM voice keyer is that it will automatically send
>> the next message depending on where you are in the logging sequence.
>> You can also go so far as to record individual letters and it will
>> string them together to "say" callsigns and incremental QSO numbers.
>> Its a lot of work to do that trick but it can be done.
>
> Yes, a LOT of work and it doesn't sound all that good.
>>
>> If you use the K3DVK, you have to take your hands off the keyboard to
>> punch a button on the front panel of the radio and your number of
>> available messages is much more limited.
>
> Well ... not really so.  The K3DVR has a number of advantages, the
> largest by far is that when you play your messages recorded with your
> microphone, they sound *exactly* like you're live, down to whatever
> background noise you have in your shack.  Level, compression, and TX EQ
> are identical to your mic audio.  A large number of recorded CQ's and
> exchanges in SSB contests are more or less unintelligible.  Usually way
> over driven, way too much compression, and restricted audio spectrum.
> Such is not the case with the K3DVR.
>
> You don't have to take your hands off the keyboard if you are using N1MM
> or any logger that allows you to send CAT commands to the radio.  Check
> out Iain's tutorial at [www.dseven.org/ar/n1mm-kdvr3].  Basically, you
> just program a K3 command that emulates tapping one of the "M" buttons.
>
> A very minor problem, which goes away once you realize it, is that the
> logger doesn't know when the voice message is finished.  It just sends
> the command and thinks it is done.  In most SSB contests, I've found the
> only useful message is my CQ.  The one exception is ARRL Sweepstakes,
> where I record the "Uniform Kilo Six Delta Golf Whisky five three Sierra
> Victor."  I step on the footswitch, say "hiscall NUMBER xxxx," hit the
> F-key which sends the exchange and VOX keys the radio.  I can release
> the footswitch whenever.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011
> - www.cqp.org
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