[Elecraft] K3 has internal noise with high compression settings

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

35 is too high of a compression setting. A setting of 35 can easily pick 
up internal electrical noise in the radio, in addition to shack 
background noise. This is much higher than normal  compression setting 
and results in excessive microphone input gain.

Its not unusual to hear some low level acoustic noise from inside the K3 
when transmitting.

73,

Eric
---
www.elecraft.com


On 1/12/2012 10:46 AM, goldtr8 at charter.net wrote:
> Hi Don,
>
> First I agree that that is not a normal setting to run that high.
> Normally I only have it in the range between 10 to 20 mostly at 15 like
> you do.
>
> I did the experiment as when the antennas were hooked with the RF
> issue, I found that dialing down compression to under 10 sometimes
> helped reduce the RF triggering.
>
> So as stated I wanted to find the boundries when connected only to the
> dummy load.   The part that it showed power output at that high level of
> compression is not that suprising.
>
> What concerns me is that I clearly heard internal to the K3 something
> like a ferrite buzzing.  I put my ear directly on the top of the case to
> listen and this buzzing was internal.
>
> I only want to know could this be considered normal.
>
> Or if there is an internal component problem and my K3 is more sensitive
> to RF issues than normal which is contributing to my problems.
>
> ~73
> Don
> KD8NNU
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 1:26 PM, Donehrlich at q.com wrote:
>
>> Don,
>>
>> My first reaction is that compression of 35 is way too high.  I never
>> go over 15 or so because of all of the background noise in the shack
>> that is picked up by the mic at high compression settings.  Something
>> of that sort is perhaps what you are hearing .. maybe a fan or other
>> hum-like sound in the local environment.  High compression makes the
>> system super sensitive to low level sounds.
>>
>> Don K7FJ
>>
>>