[Elecraft] K3 - background hiss

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

CW or SSB or both?  How old is the K3?  There was a DSP swapout that 
addressed this.  For SSB I drop the FC on the filter down to about 1.0 
which helps.  There were some other settings that might help.  Check the 
archives.

Mike W0MU

W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net


On 4/28/2012 5:35 PM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
> Don,
> I usually leave the preamp on and not really needed as you said.  I will try backing down the RF gain
> a tad also.  Thanks for the info.
> I found too, unless I have other noise issues to deal with, setting the NR at F1-1
> reduces the hiss quite a bit, and no impact at all on the sig.  Just seems to give a quieter background, very nice.
>
> Bob
> K6UJ
>
>
> On Apr 28, 2012, at 4:01 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Bob,
>>
>> The K3 has more reserve gain than most other receivers, and the lack of signals cause the AGC to set the receiver top full gain.
>>
>> With other receivers, I usually can run the preamp to advantage, but with my K3 it is fine without the preamp on.
>>
>> Do you have the preamp on?  If not, perhaps you want to turn on the attenuator.  To tell if you have enough gain, disconnect the antenna and then reconnect it.  If the receiver can hear the "antenna noise" you can reduce the gain even further - perhaps by reducing the RF Gain.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 4/28/2012 6:42 PM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
>>> I have a Kenwood TS-590S for a back up to my K3 and it has a noticeably quieter background than the K3.
>>> I believe we should be able to address this with the NR in the K3,  I'm still learning how to adjust the NR.
>>>
>>>
>>> Bob
>>> K6UJ
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Apr 28, 2012, at 12:15 PM, hawley, charles j jr wrote:
>>>
>>>> I remember that my Kenwood 850 was quiet like that compared to my Yeasu 990. Possibly how the agc is handled by Kenwood?
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>
>>>> On Apr 28, 2012, at 8:07 AM, "Bill"<bill at w2blc.net>   wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have had my K3 for a couple of months - so I am still learning.
>>>>>
>>>>> At this point, my primary concern is the amount of background hiss that
>>>>> I have when no signals are being received. For example: When on 75 this
>>>>> AM I am listening to a local net. When no one is talking the background
>>>>> hiss rises.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I switch to my TS-480, signals are just as strong and everything is
>>>>> the same - EXCEPT there is nearly zero background hiss. I use the ATT on
>>>>> both rigs. I much prefer the near FM silence of the 480.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have already reduced it somewhat by use of the RX Equalizer. However,
>>>>> it needs a lot more reduction to get to what I feel is an acceptable
>>>>> level. Of note: I live in a rural area that has no background noise -
>>>>> daytime level on 75 meters is zero.
>>>>>
>>>>> Suggestions would be most appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bill W2BLC
>>>>>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> IN GOD I TRUST (but, NOT a single politician)
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