[Elecraft] Interpretation of P3 display

[Adrian]

Van , It seems you weren't interested in answering whether you use the P3
waterfall display or not,
however a clean signal regardless of audio bandwidth will have clean
straight sides on the column, 
whereas a signal containing excessive IMD products will show horizontal
spikes protruding from what
should be straight sides.

Using the marker to the end of these spikes each side will indicate the
signal width including the short
 order splatter.

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Harold V
Sent: Saturday, 9 June 2012 4:46 AM
To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Interpretation of P3 display

I have a question for the group regarding interpretation of the P3 display
of SSB signals.

Primarily I use it to spot stations on quiet bands or spot openings on busy
bands.  But I am trying to gain a better understanding of what it is showing
me regarding the quality of signals as well.

I have my P3 set up to show the band width as a column and the span set to
+/- 25.  I have noticed that most SSB signals will remain within the bounds
of the column.  However, some SSB signals will exceed the width of the
column and will resemble a pyramid, occupying several kilohertz above and
below the column on voice peaks.  The proximity of the station does not
appear to matter as these observations apply to distant stations as well as
local stations.

Is this what is known as "splatter"?  Is the station overdriving their
transmitter or linear?  Is their ALC or compression too high?  Is the
frequency response of their microphone too wide?

A good friend of mine has a K3/P3 and we have discussed this at length and
come to the conclusion that we really don't understand what we are seeing.
Anyone on the list have comments as to what they have observed or an
explanation of what we are seeing?

Any relevant comments would be appreciated.

Thanks
Van
K0HCV
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