[Elecraft] [K3] K3 and noise with external speakers

Tue May 15 20:34:34 EDT 2012

Hi Dwayne,

I already use the macros, I have PF2 set to toggle SPKR+PH on/off so I can
turn the speakers off when I'm wearing the headset (PF1 is set to
enable/disable ESSB, and could be considered a spare since I hardly ever
use ESSB).

But the problem is that in CW I like to operate with both speakers+headset,
so I can put the headset on if I hear something interesting and want to
copy it better (over the noise of the linear and other ambient noise). For
stronger signals, I just have the QSO with the speakers and not the
headset. Of course for SSB I need to wear the headset if I don't have the
desk mic out, but then SSB is only about 10-20% of my QSO's.

When I get my desk mike out again, I think I will reprogram PF1 to switch
between the front mic/headset as you suggest.

Actually if I can find a solution to the speaker noise problem, I think
everything will be ok. The only other thing is what Arthur mentioned and I
elaborated on, the MON level. It is hard to send CW if the MON tone is too
low, and I adjust the volume up/down to accommodate the situation (ambient
noise) when I'm on the speakers, but MON doesn't follow. So if MON could be
made to track AF, I think I would have close to the perfect setup for my
operating style!

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 16 May 2012 00:21, Dwayne Rohmer <djcarohmer at ntin.net> wrote:

> Thomas,
>
> You might want to consider using a macro to adjust the monitor level? At
> the
> same time, you can change the EQ and other settings to suit your needs.
>
> I use two macros to control microphones, speakers and TX EQ. They are
> assigned to PF1 for the hand mike and PF2 for the headset/boom mike. The
> last line in these macros changes the monitor level, OFF for speakers, and
> ON for headphones. Adding code to change RX EQ might also help you reach
> your goal of getting the volume where you want it.
>
> To use these macros, press and hold PF1 to use the hand mike; press and
> hold
> PF2 to use the headset/boom mike. Pressing either PF button a again toggles
> the speakers ON and OFF.
>
> select Front mike -  Toggle Speakers ON/OFF - TX EQ set for MH-2
> MN053;DN;DN;MN097;UP;MN255;MG002;CP025;TE+00+14+08+06+08+10+12+00;ML000;
>
>        Select Front Mike
>        Toggle Speakers On/Off
>        Exit Menu
>        Mike Gain 3
>        Mike Compression 18
>        Transmit EQ +00+14+08+06+08+10+12+00
>        Monitor Level 0
>
> Select Rear Mike With Headset - Toggle Speakers ON/OFF - TX EQ set for
> Acousticom Boom Mike
> MN053;DN;DN;UP;MN097;UP;MN255;MG013;CP024;TE+00+00+00+00+00+00+00+00;ML020;
>
>        Select Rear Mike
>        Toggle Speakers On/Off
>        Exit Menu
>        Mike Gain 11
>        Mike Compression 20
>        Transmit EQ +00+00+00+00+00+00+00+00
>        Monitor Level 25
>
> 73,
> Dwayne WV5I
>
> > On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 5:08 PM, Thomas Horsten <thomas at horsten.com
> >wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I like to alternate between operating with headset and speakers and
> >> find the K3's built-in speaker inadequate (plus I want stereo). So I
> >> purchased a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers (black, and with the
> >> corresponding desk stands, wonderful little speakers I must say and
> >> they look GREAT next to the K3 - judge for yourself:
> >> http://goo.gl/KErTo)
> >>
> >> Now the problem is that I have been running with AGC=LOW since it
> >> gives me a comfortable range in the headset. The speakers have a
> >> volume control on the back, so I thought I could adjust that to get a
> >> volume that was similar in the headset. The problem is that with a
> >> low enough AF volume setting on the K3 that the headset isn't
> >> blasting my ears out, and the speakers volume set to give a similar
> >> level to that of the headphones (about 66% of their max), the
> >> speakers give a very noticable very low frequency bassy "click"
> >> once a second anytime the K3 is turned on.
> >>
> >> It's like "thump, thump, thump" at one second intervals. This is loud
> >> enough to be noticeable when the speakers and the headphones are at
> >> about the same level for the real audio. If I turn the speakers' gain
> >> down and turn the K3's AF knob up, I get FB loud enough audio without
> >> hearing this problem, but with a low enough volume in the headset for
> >> it to be comfortable, I have to turn the speakers up where the
> >> "thump" gets noticable to get rid of it again.
> >>
> >> I'm powering my K3 from a car battery that is in turn hooked up to a
> >> smart charger. This has never caused me any problems in the past, but
> >> it would seem that this artifact comes from the smart charger
> >> somehow, as soon as I disconnect it the problem goes away and I can
> >> have the speaker volume all the way up to max without hearing it.
> >>
> >> As I said I've never had any audio (or other) problems before from
> >> having that battery charger connected. Any suggestions for what to
> >> try next would be appreciated.
> >>
> >> 73, Thomas M0TRN
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