[Elecraft] KX3 (possibly inadvertent) feature (one I like, a lot)

[Steve Jackson]

I was using a new KX3 at the Raleigh NC hamfest last Saturday.

The sidetone was adjusted to a level somewhere between '20' and '30' and at
a frequency of 550 Hz.

This particular KX3 had the Elecraft paddles mounted on it.

The ambient noise of the hamfest, and the relative drop off of the acoustic
efficiency of the speaker in the radio, at this frequency, made the
sidetone hard to hear, for me anyway.

However ... the paddles has a definite, and quite pleasant, haptic
feedback!  I could just faintly 'sense' the sidetone in them, based on the
mechanical coupling.  Almost instantly, my brain was able to re-map the
normal acoustic sensation of hearing the sidetone to 'feeling' it in my
fingertips.

The effect was marvelous.  If you have the occasion, try it yourself and
see if you agree.  I did not try to turn the sidetone on KX3  # 00020 down
to a normal level, nor to a higher frequency.  Indeed, I did not want to.


Steve KZ1X/4